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    ESA > Our Activities > Technology > Proba Missions

    Entry 8: Proba-2 gains a solar panel

    Mounting of the first deployable solar panel

    Wednesday 9th September – Today begins with one of the most delicate steps of preparing the spacecraft for launch: final mounting of Proba-2's deployable solar panels.

    Since this activity requires extreme precision and very high concentration from the operators involved, the mechanical integration team spends the entire day in the clean room under close PA supervision and with restricted access for others. At the end of today the first deployable panel is mounted completely.

    In parallel, in the EGSE room -or 'the garage' as the team call it- the test team thoroughly review all the test logs from the full functional tests of previous days. They are also continuing to perform simulations of LEOP (launch and early orbit phase) passes using the system software simulator connected to the control centre software in order to get further trained and prepared.

    Due to the day's very intense integration activities, at the end of it most of the team really need some fresh air and unwind… Which means a game of ping pong in an improvised sports hall at the MIK (using one of the future offices of the SMOS team) and a game of basketball after our arrival back at the team hotel.

    Last update: 10 September 2009

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    • Proba-2 launch diary
      • Entry 1: Belgium says goodbye to Proba-2
        • Entry 2: Proba-2's journey to Plesetsk
          • Entry 3: Unpacking after the trip
            • Entry 4: Proba-2 unloaded and ready for inspection
              • Entry 5: Proba-2 powered up
                • Entry 6: End-to-end testing
                  • Entry 7: Filling Proba-2 up with xenon
                    • Entry 8: Proba-2 gains a solar panel
                      • Entry 9: Proba-2 gains its second ‘wing’
                        • Entry 10: Completing Proba-2
                          • Entry 11: Putting Proba-2 to the test
                            • Entry 12: Checking launch tower links
                              • Entry 13: Letting SMOS take its turn
                                • Entry 14: Second phase of Proba-2 launch campaign begins
                                  • Entry 15: Last bolts tightened on Proba-2
                                    • Entry 16: A short journey off the ground – Proba-2 mated to its adapter
                                      • Entry 17: Proba-2 mated onto Breeze upper stage
                                        • Entry 18: Encapsulated, Proba-2 vanishes from view forever
                                          • Entry 19: Proba-2 in place and powered up
                                            • Entry 20: Rail ride to the launch pad
                                              • Entry 21: Far-flung dress rehearsal for launch

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