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    ESA > Our Activities > Observing the Earth > SMOS

    Entry 4: Green light to fuel

    SMOS ready to be fuelled

    6 October 2009 - As the first snow of the winter arrives in Plesetsk, the team has reached a significant milestone in the launch campaign – the launch authorities have given the green light to fuel the satellite.

    This hazardous activity is being carried out today by members of the Thales Alenia Space team. Yesterday, preparations for fuelling were in full swing with the satellite being inspected and the equipment being set up for the procedure. In addition, the documentation needed to do the fuelling was sorted out.

    Last week was spent checking the satellite’s electrics. In parallel, the Russians reported that the electrical checks carried out on the Breeze-KM upper stage in the cleanroom had been completed.


    SMOS launch tower with banners
    SMOS launch tower with banners

    The lower two stages of the launcher were transported to the launch pad and erected in the tower and then joined by the upper stage. More tests were carried at the launch tower yesterday and will continue today.

    The team were also pleased to see the banners for SMOS and Proba-2 positioned on the launch tower.

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    • Looking forward to launch
      Looking forward to launch
      Diary in pictures
    • SMOS launch diary
      • Entry 1: SMOS launch campaign begins
        • Entry 2: SMOS arrives safely at Plesetsk
          • Entry 3: SMOS unpacked and checked out
            • Entry 4: Green light to fuel
              • Entry 5: SMOS fuelled
                • Entry 6: SMOS joins rocket adapter
                  • Entry 7: SMOS mated to launcher upper stage
                    • Entry 8: SMOS encapsulated in fairing
                      • Entry 9: Fairing logo signed
                        • Entry 10: SMOS in the launch tower
                          • Entry 11: Launch countdown rehearsed
                            • Entry 12: Ready for launch!
                              • Entry 13: Launch milestones
                              • In depth
                              • Proba missions
                                • Plesetsk
                                • Related links
                                • Eurockot
                                • Thales Alenia Space

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