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BY JUSTIN RAY Reload this page for updates on the countdown and launch of the Russian Soyuz-Fregat rocket with the Europe's Mars Express orbiter and the Beagle 2 lander.
MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2003
2011 GMT (4:11 p.m. EDT) "It looks as though we got a spacecraft in really excellent condition and we are well on our way for our first mission to Mars," mission control reported.
1952 GMT (3:52 p.m. EDT)
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1919 GMT (3:19 p.m. EDT) Mission controllers are now standing by to establish contact with Mars Express.
1820 GMT (2:20 p.m. EDT) Another firing of the Fregat upper stage motor is still to come. That burn will send Mars Express out of its current orbit around Earth for the six-and-a-half-month trek to Mars.
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1700 GMT (1:00 p.m. EDT) After a coast period around the planet lasting about an hour, the upper stage is re-ignited to propel Mars Express on an escape path for its cruise to the Red Planet. Deployment of the spacecraft from the rocket booster will occur approximately 92 minutes after launch. The target orbital parameters at the point of spacecraft separation include a minimum altitude of 341 km, orbital inclination of 51.8 degrees and escape velocity of 2.95 km/s.
1615 GMT (12:15 p.m. EDT) Today's launch will mark the 11th Soyuz rocket flight under the auspices of Starsem, a joint European and Russian venture that markets the Soyuz. It's also the fifth flight of the Soyuz version using the Fregat upper stage. The last two Starsem Soyuz missions in 2000 successfully launched two pairs of Cluster-2 spacecraft for ESA.
SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2003 The final countdown begins at T-minus 8 hours as systems checks on the Soyuz booster start. Three hours later, checks of the launch vehicle's Fregat upper stage begin. A review is held at T-minus 4 hours, 20 minutes to verify all is in readiness for fueling the rocket. If there are no problems, loading of propellant should commence at T-minus 4 hours. Standard countdown activities will continue over the next few hours. In the final half-hour, the service platform around the rocket will be removed for launch. The rocket's fuel tanks will be pressurized at T-minus 2 minutes, 35 seconds. The vehicle switches to internal power for flight at T-minus 45 seconds. The strap-on boosters and the core stage engines are ignited at T-minus 20 seconds, building up thrust for liftoff at T-minus 0 seconds. It will take about 92 minutes from launch through deployment of Mars Express from the upper stage for the journey to the Red Planet. Watch this page for confirmation of liftoff!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2003 The Beagle has landed...Well, not quite but the innovative Beagle 2 will soon be on its way to Mars aboard European Space Agency's Mars Express. Once at the Red Planet, it may turn up evidence of past or present life. Read our full story.
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Flight Data File Vehicle: Soyuz-Fregat Payload: Mars Express Launch date: June 2, 2003 Launch window: 1745 GMT (1:45 p.m. EDT) Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan Satellite broadcast: In Europe on Astra 2C, Transponder 57, freq. 10832 MHz Pre-launch briefing Mars Express - Our story providing an overview of Mars Express mission. Beagle 2 - Our story looking at this tiny lander and the search for past or present life. Orbiter instruments - A summary of the instruments aboard Mars Express. Trajectory - An illustration showing Mars Express' track from launch until Mars. Soyuz rocket - Overview of the Russian Soyuz rocket used in this launch. Women Astronauts Learn about women astronauts,what they do, and how they got to where they are today. Read their story and how attitudes towards women in space changed.
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