CryoSat-2 Teams Prepare for Launch
26.01.2010 - Logistics, Atmosphere & Space, Ice & Snow, Bi-polar
CryoSat-2, which is scheduled to be launched into space on February 25th from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, is more than just a replica of the original CryoSat satellite lost in a launch failure in 2005. The latest version of the satellite benefits from software updates, and the updated set of systems and procedures have the ground teams in intensive training in preparation for the launch and the early orbit phase, the most critical steps in the Cryosat-2 mission.
The ground segment for CryoSat-2 consists of two parts:
- The Flight Control Team, based at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Germany, is charged with operating CryoSat-2 through the launch and early orbit phase, then commissioning phase, and finally routine operations for an initial three-year period.
- The Payload Data Ground Segment, based at the European Space Research Institute (ESRIN) in Italy, will define daily instrument operations in coordination with the scientific community and provide feedback to the Flight Operations Segment so information can be uploaded to the satellite, as well as process and distribute scientific data received from the satellite in space.
As time is vital during the launch and early orbit phase, both teams will work 24 hours/day to activate, monitor and verify subsystems on the satellite and undertake crucial orbit and attitude control operations. The teams will be busy with simulation training throughout January and February.
During the full dress rehearsal on February 22nd, just three days before launch, the teams will interact with the actual CryoSat-2 satellite, which will be mounted on its launcher and connected to the ground segment at ESOC. This will enable engineers to receive real-time status data from CryoSat-2 until just shortly before liftoff. At the same time, both teams will be working with ESTEC and the industry teams to prepare the satellite for launch.
