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