ESA title
MetOp being lifted by crane
Applications

MetOp joins Fregat upper-stage

07/07/2006 991 views 0 likes
ESA / Applications / Observing the Earth

A significant milestone has just been reached in the MetOp launch campaign as the delicate task of mating the spacecraft and the Fregat upper-stage engine was successfully carried out.

Prior to the mating on Wednesday, engineers worked to finish all the last tasks that had to be done to prepare for the event. Over the last few days the Fregat stand had been closed around the engine but as the two halves of the scaffolding were moved aside it could be seen on its large trolley.

MetOp was carefully hoisted up on a crane above the Fregat while the interface to the launch vehicle adapter-stand was opened. Once manoeuvred into the correct position, the spacecraft was lowered and the scaffolding closed again, so that work on the interface could be completed.

MetOp joining the Fregat upper-stage
MetOp joining the Fregat upper-stage

This week's activities have also included various link validations that were performed to the “catacomb”. This is the bunker located at the base of the launch pad where the umbilical racks are installed. During the launch there are no personnel there. The closest people will be in another bunker, located further some 250 metres away.

Now that MetOp and the upper-stage of the rocket are joined they will be prepared for encapsulation in the fairing. This means that the scientists and engineers will have to say 'goodbye' to MetOp as the fairing will not be opened again until the spacecraft has left the atmosphere on its way to final orbit deployment around 800 kilometres above the Earth. Encapsulation is planned for Saturday.

Related Links

Applications

MetOp launch status

778 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp in vertical position
Applications

Europe's first polar-orbiting weather satellite ready for l…

16/10/2006 599 views 0 likes
Read
Upper-composite and third-stage being coupled
Applications

Integration of MetOp upper-composite and third-stage comple…

13/10/2006 551 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp upper-composite being lifted onto the train
Applications

Safe arrival at the launch facility for MetOp

11/10/2006 573 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp encapsulation
Applications

MetOp encapsulated in fairing

10/10/2006 741 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp joins the Fregat upper-stage
Applications

MetOp integrated with Fregat upper-stage

26/09/2006 1087 views 0 likes
Read
Cleaning the GOME-2 instrument
Applications

MetOp launch campaign resumed

19/09/2006 612 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp in orbit
Agency

MetOp to be launched in October

07/08/2006 769 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp on the launch pad
Agency

Launch of MetOp-A postponed

20/07/2006 813 views 0 likes
Read
Roll-out to the launch pad
Applications

MetOp ready for launch

17/07/2006 751 views 0 likes
Read
Upper-composite moved out of UCIF
Applications

Upper-composite transferred to launcher integration facility

14/07/2006 697 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp ready for encapsulation
Applications

Last-ever look at MetOp

11/07/2006 764 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp being lifted by crane
Applications

MetOp joins Fregat upper-stage

07/07/2006 991 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp leaving the HPF
Agency

MetOp fuelled and pressurised

04/07/2006 764 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp in UCIF
Applications

MetOp-A gets green light for 17 July launch date

27/06/2006 929 views 0 likes
Read
AMSU-A1 installation
Applications

MetOp – last phase of testing before launch

22/06/2006 704 views 0 likes
Read
MetOp's arrival at Baikonur
Agency

MetOp satellite shipped to Baikonur on 18 April

19/04/2006 1108 views 0 likes
Read
Soyuz launch
Agency

Soyuz launch vehicle

0 views 0 likes
Read