GOCE is GO

Off in the distance

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May 2016

Date:	2009-03-17 15:07
Subject:	GOCE is GO
Security:	Public

At least, it's lifted off. Let's hope separation occurs without a hitch.

It's going to be a low polar orbit (260 km up), and moving fast as a result. But being only 5 metres longest dimension (no solar panels), I'm not sure whether it'll be very visible.

Update: and it's made it - the first signal has been received, which rather implies it's made orbit undamaged.

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(no subject) - (Anonymous)

User:	bellinghman
Date:	2009-03-18 00:18 (UTC)
Subject:	(no subject)

I wasn't aware of it, tbh. Sorry to have confused you by not replying to that with this.

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User:	desperance
Date:	2009-03-17 18:29 (UTC)
Subject:	(no subject)

Yay. (Is it foolish, to have been so concerned about a mechanical device...?)

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User:	erikvolson
Date:	2009-03-17 20:59 (UTC)
Subject:	(no subject)

Active orbit systems. Very cool.

Nice project -- glad it made it up.

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User:	bellinghman
Date:	2009-03-18 00:18 (UTC)
Subject:	(no subject)

Yeah - 250,000 metres is only two and a half times as high as SpaceShip One reached. It's 25 times airline cruising altitude. So the atmosphere still plays a part.

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User:	megabitch
Date:	2009-03-18 00:24 (UTC)
Subject:	(no subject)

In the radio yesterday me and D both heard a presenter say "the satellite will be measuring the gravity of the Earth." There was a simultaneous "It's 1" from both of us, followed by "Can they pay me as much as it cost to build the satellite?" *giggle*

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