A photo from open sources
The GOCE spacecraft has run out of fuel. About it reported on the website of the European Space Agency. It is assumed that the device will enter the Earth’s atmosphere in the coming two weeks. The probe is equipped with an ion engine, in which the working fluid advocated ionized xenon. Energy to create magnetic field and ionization is obtained using solar panels. GOCE xenon necessary for work carried with itself. Until August 2012 years, the device worked at an altitude of 255 kilometers, after which it working height was reduced to 224 kilometers. At these heights Earth’s atmosphere resistance is strong enough to stay the apparatus needed a xenon engine on them. During the project amazing results were obtained. Received the most accurate on present data on the Earth’s gravitational field. Only this enough to recognize the mission as successful. GOCE – satellite to study the gravitational field and constant oceanic currents was launched on March 17, 2009 by a Russian launch vehicle “Rokot” from the Plesetsk cosmodrome. The main purpose of the device was a study of the gravitational field of the earth. For this on board apparatus were installed highly sensitive accelerometers – instruments measuring the acceleration of gravity at a given point space. In addition, the device was used to collect data on ocean currents.
Gravity
