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| Gravity satellite launch delayed | Gravity satellite launch delayed |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The launch of a European Space Agency (Esa) 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 pad and allow a lift-off. | |
| If engineers can isolate the problem, it is possible that another launch attempt will 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. |
| Researchers will also use the satellite'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 due to go into orbit on a modified intercontinental ballistic missile, known as a Rockot, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in north-west Russia. | 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. |
| 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. "The exact reason, whether this is a mechanical problem or an electric problem, is being looked at by the space forces at Plesetsk," he explained. | 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. "The exact reason, whether this is a mechanical problem or an electric problem, is being looked at by the space forces at Plesetsk," 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. | 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. |
| "All is on green," he added. "You have to understand that we have a launch window that is practically [instantaneous], and then we have to wait 24 hours because we have to inject the spacecraft into exactly the right orbit." | "All is on green," he added. "You have to understand that we have a launch window that is practically [instantaneous], and then we have to wait 24 hours because we have to inject the spacecraft into exactly the right orbit." |
| The delay will frustrate scientists waiting for Goce's data, but they have become accustomed to slippage on this particular mission. | |
| The Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (Goce) initially fell two years behind schedule because engineers had to work through immense technical difficulties in building its sensitive instrumentation. | |
| The satellite was then due to go into orbit a year ago, before a succession of technical 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 new Earth Explorer programme, was destroyed when its Rockot failed just a few minutes into its flight, dumping the wreckage into the Arctic Ocean. | |
| 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. | 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 sheets | 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 sheets |
| Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk | Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk |