Energy News  
Pre-Launch Sequence

The Venus Express spacecraft pre-launch sequence was executed on 6 November, bring the spacecraft one step closer to launch.

Baikonur, Kazakhstan (ESA) Nov 07, 2005
After the completion of the activities of 5 November, the first day on the launch pad, the spacecraft was switched-off, and only a small "baby-sitting" team remained in the bunker over night to be able to cover any contingency situations.

6 November started with the arrival of the countdown team at the Venus Express bunker next to the launch pad at 10:00 (04:00 UTC) in the morning. Preparations of all bunker EGSE were performed, and the final switch-on of the Spacecraft was done at 12:00 (06:00UTC) - this means that from now on until lift-off the spacecraft will not be switched-off.

In the course of the day the pre-launch sequence was executed, which already includes a large part of the configuration work to be done to achieve full launch readiness, for example: setting of unit-internal switches/relays; uploading of software patches; or adjusting of the spacecraft telemetry bit-rate to be used for LEOP (Low Earth Operations Phase).

In parallel with the activities of the past days the flight control team at ESOC has been performing "listen-in tests" to verify that the ground equipment at ESOC is capable to receive Spacecraft life telemetry via the data links that have been established between the bunker in Baikonur and the MOC (Mission Operations Centre) at ESOC.

Through these links the flight control team at ESOC will be following the final preparations of the Spacecraft during tomorrow's launch dress rehearsal as well as during the actual launch countdown, before they finally take over control of the Spacecraft after its separation from the Fregat upper stage.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
Astronomy News from Skynightly.com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


Taiwan Has Produced Three Prototypes Of Cruise Missile: Jane's
Taipei (AFP) Jan 08, 2006
Taiwan has produced three prototypes of a new cruise missile which could be used to strike the east coast of rival China, an authoritative defence magazine said.







  • Delaware To Lead Program To Develop Very High Efficiency Solar Cell
  • British Government To Require Biofuels
  • China To Spend 180 Billion Dollars To Boost Renewable Energy Use
  • Beijing Presses Moscow To Build Oil Pipeline To China

  • Experts Blast Bush On India Nuke Deal
  • Duke Power May Build Nuclear Power Plants
  • Innovative 'Recycling' Project Could Reduce US Inventory Of Spent Nuclear Fuel
  • Feds Unveil Yucca Mountain Cleanup Plans

  • Getting To The TOPP Of Houston's Air Pollution
  • Scientists Seek Sprite Light Source



  • Oxfam: Europe's Farm Subsidies 'Unfair'
  • Farm Talks Collapse In Geneva
  • Defeating The 'Superpests'
  • Crop Scientists Improve "Supergrain" For Impoverished Farmers

  • GM Hires Russian Nuclear Scientists To Develop New Auto Technology
  • Japan Creates The World's Fastest Electric Sedan
  • Motorists To Pay 'Congestion' Charge Over Broader Swath Of London
  • Solar Cars Driving Towards A Hydrogen Future

  • UN Hails Musharraf's Fighter Jet Delay
  • Leader Envisions Future of Air Mobility Command
  • Manufacturing Academy - Big Boost for Aerospace
  • New Processor Makes Strike Eagle More Lethal

  • NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter
  • Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission
  • Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program
  • Boeing-Led Team to Study Nuclear-Powered Space Systems

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement