Entry 7: Filling Proba-2 up with xenon
Tuesday, 8 September - Today's activities mainly focus on the finalisation of one of
The technology demonstrator which requires the team's specific attention today is the xenon cold gas propulsion system (developed by UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology, SSTL). First of all a leak test of the complete system is performed, prior to beginning to fill the tank with the xenon propellant. This is a tedious task requiring close monitoring of pressure and temperature.
In meantime interface discussions with the Russian launcher team continue in preparation for the combined launch operation activities for the spacecraft mating sequence, the umbilical check-out and the battery charging.
Considering the amount of co-ordination meetings the Proba-2 team have already had, for this 'small satellite' project, they are already getting a flavour of what to expect in the weeks to follow. That is when the team will be perform joint operations with the SMOS team, Eurockot, Krunichev and the local military and space forces...
Concluding a busy day,
