Time to take a breath

Since the successful launch of EarthCARE on 29 May, the teams at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre in Germany and at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California have been working  non-stop on the mission’s launch and early orbit phase.

During this phase, which lasts a few days, flight controllers gradually switch on the satellite’s various systems and make sure that it is all in good health before it goes into the longer commissioning phase.

Happy faces at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre in Germany. (ESA)

With everything going well, the launch and early orbit phase has now been completed.

One of the major milestones soon after EarthCARE had been injected into orbit was the deployment of the satellite’s long solar panel and its cloud profiling radar antenna.

The Japan Aerospace Exploitation Agency, JAXA, contributed the cloud profiling radar instrument.

Thumbs up from some of the JAXA team. (ESA)

With liftoff, injection into orbit, deployments and the launch and early orbit phase all successful, it’s now time for all the teams to breath and relax, just a little.

All eyes on the screens. (ESA)

While flight controllers in Germany proceed with commissioning EarthCARE – a process expected to take around six months to ensure the satellite delivers top-notch data – the launch campaign team in Vandenberg is starting to pack up and prepare to return home for a well-deserved rest.

More happy faces in Vandenberg. (ESA)

Learn more about EarthCARE at www.esa.int/earthcare