![](\"http:\/\/www.esa.int\/var\/esa\/storage\/images\/esa_multimedia\/images\/2013\/09\/training_the_gaia_team\/13358608-2-eng-GB\/Training_the_Gaia_team_small.jpg\")
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\nFor months, the 60-plus engineers of the Gaia control team have been intensively simulating every aspect of the spacecraft\u2019s initial journey to the L2 Lagrange point<\/a>, 1.5 million km from Earth.\n<\/p>\n \nThe training \u2013 often running through a full 12-hour shift \u2013 is conducted \u2018on console\u2019 in the Main Control Room at ESOC, ESA\u2019s Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.\n<\/p>\n \nIn a \u2018Sim\u2019, engineers use the actual mission control system to operate and fly a faithful software replication of the real Gaia that responds to their commands just as the real one will.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cWhile it may appear like a big video game, the training is far more complex and demanding and meant to be so,\u201d says ESA\u2019s Michael Gabel, responsible for training at ESOC. \u201cWe ensure that the teams can react quickly to any contingency.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nThe training is overseen by a little-known team of ESA and industry specialists who work in an access-limited \u2018Sim Room\u2019 underneath the main room.\n<\/p>\n \nThe trainers inject a carefully staged series of faults, errors and failures into the spacecraft or into the software and systems used to fly it.\n<\/p>\n \nUpstairs, under the watchful eye of the senior Flight Director, the controllers sitting on console must recognise and assess the problem and apply the correct contingency procedure.\n<\/p>\n \nEarlier in the campaign, the faults were simpler in nature. \u201cBut today, closer to actual launch, we\u2019re simulating Gaia\u2019s arrival at the L2 orbital position,\u201d says Joe Bush, from Telespazio Vega Deutschland and responsible for Gaia simulations.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cJust like \u2018LEOP\u2019 \u2013 the Launch and Early Orbit Phase \u2013 this is one of the most critical phases of the mission and demands a complex series of manoeuvres. We\u2019re injecting multiple, complex faults; we really try to stress the control team to see if they know their stuff. And the solutions require them to work together as a team.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nLEOP includes separation from the launcher, deployment of the solar panels and acquisition of first signals from the satellite.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cIf something\u2019s going to go wrong in a mission, one of the likely times is during LEOP, or during a manoeuvre like arrival at L2, where the impact can be more critical. Our job is to ensure the mission controllers are ready for anything,\u201d says Michael.\n<\/p>\n \nGaia is set for launch from Kourou on 20 November 2013, and will arrive at L2 some 21 days later.\n<\/p>\n \nMore information:\n<\/p>\n \nGaia blog<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \nGaia operations<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \nGaia science<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \t\t\t\t\t \nFor months, the 60-plus engineers of the Gaia control team have been intensively simulating every aspect of the spacecraft\u2019s initial journey to the L2 Lagrange point<\/a>, 1.5 million km from Earth.\n<\/p>\n \nThe training \u2013 often running through a full 12-hour shift \u2013 is conducted \u2018on console\u2019 in the Main Control Room at ESOC, ESA\u2019s Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.\n<\/p>\n \nIn a \u2018Sim\u2019, engineers use the actual mission control system to operate and fly a faithful software replication of the real Gaia that responds to their commands just as the real one will.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cWhile it may appear like a big video game, the training is far more complex and demanding and meant to be so,\u201d says ESA\u2019s Michael Gabel, responsible for training at ESOC. \u201cWe ensure that the teams can react quickly to any contingency.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nThe training is overseen by a little-known team of ESA and industry specialists who work in an access-limited \u2018Sim Room\u2019 underneath the main room.\n<\/p>\n \nThe trainers inject a carefully staged series of faults, errors and failures into the spacecraft or into the software and systems used to fly it.\n<\/p>\n \nUpstairs, under the watchful eye of the senior Flight Director, the controllers sitting on console must recognise and assess the problem and apply the correct contingency procedure.\n<\/p>\n \nEarlier in the campaign, the faults were simpler in nature. \u201cBut today, closer to actual launch, we\u2019re simulating Gaia\u2019s arrival at the L2 orbital position,\u201d says Joe Bush, from Telespazio Vega Deutschland and responsible for Gaia simulations.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cJust like \u2018LEOP\u2019 \u2013 the Launch and Early Orbit Phase \u2013 this is one of the most critical phases of the mission and demands a complex series of manoeuvres. We\u2019re injecting multiple, complex faults; we really try to stress the control team to see if they know their stuff. And the solutions require them to work together as a team.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nLEOP includes separation from the launcher, deployment of the solar panels and acquisition of first signals from the satellite.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cIf something\u2019s going to go wrong in a mission, one of the likely times is during LEOP, or during a manoeuvre like arrival at L2, where the impact can be more critical. Our job is to ensure the mission controllers are ready for anything,\u201d says Michael.\n<\/p>\n \nGaia is set for launch from Kourou on 20 November 2013, and will arrive at L2 some 21 days later.\n<\/p>\n \nMore information:\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n