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First Earth Explorer Core Mission moves into gearThego-ahead has been given for the next phase of a European mission to measurethe Earth's gravity field and a derived geoid [model of the Earth's shape]to unprecedented accuracy and resolution using a highly sophisticated three-axisgradiometer.Scheduled for launch in 2005,the GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady State Ocean Circulation Explorer) satelliteis the first of the core explorer missions planned as part of ESAs LivingPlanet Program. ESA confirmed last week thatit had selected Italian-based space company Alenia Spazio as prime contractor. 
Early design concept for thesatellite The GOCE satellite will bein orbit for a minimum of two years and will provide unique data whichwill help to advance knowledge in a wide range of research and applicationareas, including solid Earth physics, oceanography, ice sheet dynamicsand sea level changes. Danilo Muzi, ESAs GOCE projectmanager, said: "Current knowledge of the Earths gravity field and itsgeoid will be substantially enhanced by exploiting new satellite-basedgravity observation techniques. "It is only through a betterunderstanding of the Earths gravity field that we can improve our knowledgeof the physics of the Earths interior, the interaction of the continentsand the ocean circulation. The use of satellites is the only way to achievethis globally and within a reasonable time period." The Phase B design activitiesare planned to continue until the end of this year when the implementationwork will begin, known as Phase C/D. The appointment of AleniaSpazio as prime contractor follows a year-long selection process whichculminated in a decision being reached at ESA's Industrial Policy Committeeat the end of January. Reinhold Zobl, the Head ofESA's Earth Observation Programs Development Department said "The IPC approvalof the contract proposal for the Phase B/C/D/E1 of the GOCE Space Segmentrepresents a very important milestone in ESA's Living Planet Program. Wecan now proceed with the implementation of the first Core Explorer Missionwhich addresses the needs of the solid Earth physics, geodetic and oceanographicscientific communities." Alenia Spazio will be supportedby a core team consisting of Astrium GmbH (platform), Alcatel Space Industries(Gradiometer instrument) and ONERA (gradiometer accelerometers and supportingthe assessment of the satellite performances). Andrea Allasio, GOCE's ProjectManager at Alenia Spazio said "We are proud to be contributing to improvingknowledge of our planets physics by developing, together with the selectedCore Team, the GOCE spacecraft for this challenging ESA program. As industrialprime contractor, we are confident in the success of the mission."
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