Job done

By now I think you already know how the last few days have gone – we have a mission!

Last words from Sentinel-3 Project Manager Bruno Berruti. (ESA)

The launch went perfectly, even if during the countdown we had a couple of little issues that disturbed our activities: first a power outage of few milliseconds at the MCC which, even if it didn’t stop our electrical ground support equipment working, added a bit of spice to the day … which remained GREEN from beginning to the end.

During the last two hours before the launch, we had some uncertainty about the wind conditions because a measurement from the balloons used to check the wind speed at different heights gave an odd reading. The measurement had to be repeated to confirm that the reading was incorrect and that conditions were green for launch.

Finally, the launch took place and everything was perfect: orbit injection within 1 sigma from nominal conditions, immediate deployment of the solar array, smooth connection to the ground with associated Telemetry & Telecommand functions working perfectly.

In less than three orbits the satellite was in the safe ‘parking’ orbit targeted for the launch and early operation phase (LEOP) activities.

LEOP activities are currently on-going and the two teams involved in the A and B shifts have already demonstrated to be fully in control of the situation.

Time to say goodbye. (ESA)

So, one and half a day after launch: Sentinel 3A LEOP activities are continuing according to nominal timeline: the status of the spacecraft is nominal; status and performance of the ground segment are nominal; the second orbit determination from flight dynamics confirmed the previous data and the excellent orbital parameters already determined immediately after the launch; there is no significant risk for collision so LEOP can proceed undisturbed without the need for unplanned manoeuvres.

Getting to grips with bubble wrap. (ESA)

Here in Plesetsk, most people have packed, with the exception of the few that will accompany the ground support equipment back to Europe on the Antonov cargo aircraft planned on 20 February.

Packed up. (ESA)

Tears will inevitably be shed after having spent such a long time together, also with our Russian colleagues, but it’s time to come back and get back to normal life.

Thanks for having followed us all this time – it has been nice for us remotely located to share our experiences getting Sentinel-3A launched.

For information about our Sentinel-3 mission visit www.esa.int/sentinel-3

From the ESA Sentinel-3A team at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Russia.