Gaia's launch

     

    Gaia's planned launch sequence as published on 06 December 2013, 13 days before launch, can be found below.

     

     

    Gaia launched on: 19 December 2013, 09:12:19 UTC

     

    Gaia Launch Sequence

    Gaia will be launched on 19 December 2013 at 09:12:18 UTC from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.

    Below the launch sequence:
    Lift off (L) 09:12:18 UTC (= 06:12:18 Kourou, 10:12:18 Paris)
       
    L + 2 min 1st stage - 2nd stage separation
    L + 3 min Fairing separation
    L + 5 min 2nd stage - 3rd stage separartion  
    L + 9 min Nose module separation (nose module = spacecraft plus Fregat)
    L + 10 min 1st Fregat burn
    L + 21 min 2nd Fregat burn
    L + 43 min - spacecraft separation
    - switch on transponder
    - switch on gyros
    - release the payload bipods (connection between the Payload Module and the Sevice Module)
    L + 43 min - Chemical Propulsion Sub-system priming (configure and pressurise the propulsion system)  
    L + 1 h - configure the thermal control
    - acquire the Sun and put the spacecraft in the right attitude
    L + 1 h 18 min - start deployment of the sun shield
    L + 1 h 28 min - end deployment of the sun shield
    L + 1 h 28 min - start 2nd deployment sequence with redundant system  
    L + 1 h 38 min - end 2nd deployement sequence with redundant system