Herschel and Planck are on the launch pad
13 May 2009
14 May 2009: The launch can be followed live on the ESA mogulus channel, and on the Arianespace webcast pages:ESA channel on MogulusStarts at 12:00 UTC(14:00 CEST)Arianespace webcastStarts at 12:47 UTC(14:47 CEST)See timeline of key events for the Herschel and Planck launch at the end of this page.13 May 2009: Roll-out of the launcher carrying Herschel and Planck
On 13 May at around 13:40 CEST, 8:40 local time at the launch site in Kourou, the Ariane 5 carrying Herschel and Planck rolled out of the BAF en route to the launch pad.
The roll-out of the launcher was announced at 8:40 local time (13:40 CEST) after which the launcher was pulled out of the BAF (final assembly building). The 2.6 km journey to the launch pad was completed at 10:15 local time (15:15 CEST).
Launch is scheduled for 14 May 2009 at 13:12 UTC (15:12 CEST). Details of the sequence of events can be found in the timeline at the end of this page. The launch will be broadcast live on the ESA channel on mogulus starting at 11:55 UTC (13:55 CEST).
 |
|
 |
Above and left: The Ariane 5 ECA launcher leaves the BAF, travelling the 2.6 km route to the launch pad in about 1.5 hours. Credit: ESA |
 |
 |
|
The Ariane 5, ECA launcher, enclosing Herschel and Planck, at the Ariane launch pad, Centre Spatiale Guyannais, Kourou, French Guiana. Credit: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2009 | |
 |
 |
|
Thomas Passvogel, ESA Herschel and Planck Project Manager. In the background is the Ariane 5 ECA launcher with Herschel and Planck on its way to the launch pad. Credit: ESA |
Thomas Passvogel (ESA Herschel and Planck Project Manager), Luca Chiecchio (Arianespace Payload Manager), and Jacques Louet (ESA Head of Projects). Credit: ESA |
Timeline of key events for the Herschel and Planck launch
Note: All times are subject to change
Acronyms:
- TCM: Trajectory correction manoeuvre
- LEOP: Launch and Early Orbit Phase
- ESOC: European Space Operations Centre
| Key event | Time +/- liftoff | Time (UTC) |
| Launch Readiness Review | -5 days | 9 May |
| Roll out to launch pad | -1 day | 11:40:00 13 May |
| ESOC GO/NO-GO for launch | -00:30:00 | 12:42:00 14 May |
| Herschel on internal power | -00:15:00 | 12:57:00 |
| Planck on internal power | -00:11:00 | 13:01:00 |
| Start of Ariane 5 automatic sequence | -00:07:00 | 13:05:00 |
| Launch control final confirmation of readiness | -00:06:30 | 13:05:30 |
| Last time to declare NOGO | -00:04:30 | 13:07:30 |
| Inertial platform release | -00:00:03 | 13:11:57 |
| Ignition of main cryogenic stage | 00:00:00 | 13:12:00 |
| Launch (Window open for 55 minutes) |
00:00:00 | 13:12:00 |
| Ariane 5 solid rocket boosters ignition and lift-off | 00:00:07 | 13:12:07 |
| Solid boosters are both jettisoned | 00:02:18 | 13:14:18 |
| Fairing jettisoned | 00:04:02 | 13:16:02 |
| Main cryogenic stage extinction and upper stage separation | 00:08:55 | 13:20:55 |
| Upper stage ignition | 00:09:05 | 13:21:05 |
| Upper stage extinction | 00:24:30 | 13:36:40 |
| Herschel separates | 00:25:58 | 13:37:58 |
| Sylda separates | 00:27:24 | 13:39:24 |
| Planck separates | 00:28:29 | 13:40:29 |
Key events after separation
|
|