GOCE

Launch data: Designation  34602 / 09013A Launch date  17 Mar 2009 - 14:21 UT Launch site  Plesetsk, LC-133/3 Launch vehicle  Rokot-KM Mission  Government: Earth Science Sun-Synchronous Earth orbit on Mar 17.84: Perigee / Apogee  273 x 290 km Eccentricity  1.28E-03 Inclination  96.71 deg Period  90.14 min

Mission details:

• GOCE is a slender, winged ion-driven satellite launched to glide through the upper atmosphere for nearly two years measuring Earth's gravity field with unprecedented precision. GOCE data will also provide a new understanding of tectonic activity that could lead to better forecasts of earthquakes and volcanoes. Scientists expect changes in Earth's interior to show up in the satellite's gravity measurements. GOCE, which stands for the Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer, is the first of six ESA Earth Explorer satellites built to focus on aspects of processes affecting the planet's climate.

Mission details:

• Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer is a science satellite, launched for the European Space Agency and manufactured by Alenia Spazio (prime contractor), with Astrium providing the platform and Alcatel Space the gradiometer instrument. The satellite is generally cylindrical with solar panels. It is intended to compliment the CHAMP and GRACE satellites and will provide an accurate model of the Earth’s gravity field.
• GOCE was launched from Plesetsk on Mar 17, 2009. The 1200 kg satellite carries a gravity gradiometer and flies in a low orbit of 272 x 290 km x 96.7 deg.
• GOCE's orbit is low by modern standards, but in the past many satellites were designed to fly for short periods at lower heights. The OGCh (FOBS) missile tests used 125 x 160 km orbits but were up for only one circuit of the Earth. The Vostok spaceships flew at around 160-200 km, and many Soviet and US spy satellites operated in the 150-200 km range, Before GOCE, the KH-9 HEXAGON and some models of the Yantar' spy satellite were the only vehicles to fly at such a low altitude for many months.