Second pair of Cluster II spacecraft takes to the skies
The second pair of the European Space Agency's Cluster satellites is now safely orbiting the Earth after a successful launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on 9 August. The two satellites, named 'Rumba' and 'Tango' separated approximately 75 minutes into the mission, when their Fregat transfer module fired for a second time. They are now flying in a 250km x 18,000 km separation orbit. 'This second perfect launch within less than four weeks means that Cluster is on track for a highly successful mission. We are now looking forward to receiving the unique three-dimensional data that will give new understanding of the interaction between the Sun and the Earth,' said ESA's science director, Professor Roger-Maurice Bonnet. Rumba and Tango will now perform a series of manoeuvres in order to rendezvous with the other Cluster space craft 'Salsa' and 'Samba'. The quartet will then undergo three months of instrument and system commissioning before beginning their two-year scientific mission.