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Gravity satellite launch delayed Gravity satellite launch delayed
(9 minutes later)
The launch of a European Space Agency gravity mapping satellite, called Goce, has been delayed. The launch of a European Space Agency (Esa) gravity mapping satellite, called Goce, has been delayed.
Controllers suspended the countdown when the service tower protecting its rocket failed to move clear of the vehicle to allow a lift-off. Controllers suspended the countdown when the service tower protecting its rocket failed to move clear of the launcher to allow a lift-off.
If engineers can isolate the problem, it is possible that another launch attempt can be made on Tuesday.If engineers can isolate the problem, it is possible that another launch attempt can be made on Tuesday.
Goce will give scientists new insights into how the interior of the planet is structured and how the oceans move.Goce will give scientists new insights into how the interior of the planet is structured and how the oceans move.
Scientists will use also use Goce's data to frame a universal system to measure height anywhere on Earth. Researchers will also use the satellite's data to frame a universal system to measure height anywhere on Earth.
The super-sleek spacecraft is to go into orbit on a modified intercontinental ballistic missile. The super-sleek spacecraft is due to go into orbit on a modified intercontinental ballistic missile, known as a Rockot, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in north-west Russia.
The delay will frustrate scientists but they have grown use to slippage on this particular mission. Matthias Oehm from Eurockot, the company which markets the vehicle, said a giant door on the service tower should have opened before the whole structure moved back. Some mechanical or electrical problem will have been to blame, he explained.
Victor Liebig, the director of Esa's Earth Observation Programmes, said Goce and its launch vehicle were safe, and were ready to proceed with another attempt when a new opportunity arose.
The delay will frustrate scientists waiting for Goce's data, but they have grown use to slippage on this particular mission.
The Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (Goce) was already two years behind schedule because engineers had to work through immense technical difficulties in building it.The Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (Goce) was already two years behind schedule because engineers had to work through immense technical difficulties in building it.
The satellite was then due to go into orbit a year ago, before a succession of issues were raised about the performance of the Rockot vehicle, a modified intercontinental ballistic missile. The satellite was then due to go into orbit a year ago, before a succession of issues were raised about the performance of the Rockot vehicle.
Esa is particularly anxious about this launch because of what happened to its Cryosat spacecraft in 2005.Esa is particularly anxious about this launch because of what happened to its Cryosat spacecraft in 2005.
The ice mapping spacecraft, which is also part of the agency's Earth Explorer programme, was destroyed when its Rockot vehicle failed to make it into space, falling into the Arctic Ocean. The ice mapping spacecraft, which is also part of the agency's new Earth Explorer programme, was destroyed when its Rockot failed just a few minutes into its flight, dumping Cryosat into the Arctic Ocean.
Although Goce is being lofted from Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome, officials from Esa are following the launch campaign at the agency's Earth observation HQ here in Frascatti, Italy. Although Goce is being lofted from Plesetsk, officials from Esa are following the launch campaign at the agency's Earth observation HQ here in Frascati, Italy.
GRAVITY FIELD AND STEADY-STATE OCEAN CIRCULATION EXPLORER 1. Goce senses tiny variations in the pull of gravity over Earth 2. The data is used to construct an idealised surface, or geoid3. It traces gravity of equal 'potential'; balls won't roll on its 'slopes'4. It is the shape the oceans would take without winds and currents5. So, comparing sea level and geoid data reveals ocean behaviour6. Gravity changes can betray magma movements under volcanoes7. A precise geoid underpins a universal height system for the world8. Gravity data can also reveal how much mass is lost by ice sheetsGRAVITY FIELD AND STEADY-STATE OCEAN CIRCULATION EXPLORER 1. Goce senses tiny variations in the pull of gravity over Earth 2. The data is used to construct an idealised surface, or geoid3. It traces gravity of equal 'potential'; balls won't roll on its 'slopes'4. It is the shape the oceans would take without winds and currents5. So, comparing sea level and geoid data reveals ocean behaviour6. Gravity changes can betray magma movements under volcanoes7. A precise geoid underpins a universal height system for the world8. Gravity data can also reveal how much mass is lost by ice sheets
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukJonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk