Launch diary

Upper-composite transferred to launcher integration facility


Upper-composite moved out of UCIF
 
Upper-composite moved out of UCIF
 
 
14 July 2006
 
Following the encapsulation of MetOp and the Fregat upper-stage in the fairing a few days ago, the so-called 'upper-composite' has taken the overnight train journey to the Soyuz launcher preparation facility to be integrated onto the launcher before the complete structure is rolled out to the launch pad today.
 
In preparation for the six-hour journey, the upper-composite was hermetically sealed and moved out of the Upper Composite Integration Facility (UCIF). In the outer hall it was lifted by crane and transferred to the train, which is a particularly dangerous procedure as both MetOp and Fregat are fuelled.
 
 
Upper-composite onto train
   
Upper-composite lifted onto train
 
Once the structure was safely loaded onto the train safety restrictions were relaxed and the engineers could take a look at the precious cargo perched on the wagon.

After ensuring that the thermal conditioning system was in order, the train left MIK 112 late evening on Monday 10 July. As the train is not allowed to go more than 10 km/h the journey took all night to reach the Soyuz launcher preparation facility.

During the entire journey it was escorted by an ambulance and a fire engine, which drove along a road by the side of the train track, as well as by two MetOp team members who rode on the train to check on the actual environment.
  
 
Upper-composite (left) and Soyuz (right)
 
Upper-composite (left) and Soyuz (right)
 
 
By morning the convoy had reached MIK40 close to the launch pad. Here the upper-composite was off-loaded by crane and placed in front of the Soyuz third-stage. By the end of Tuesday 11 July the upper-composite had been mated with the third-stage. The expertise with which this was carried out was very impressive, demonstrating the benefit that has been gained over more than 1700 Soyuz launches.

The fully assembled launcher will be rolled-out on Friday and erected on the launch tower, to be ready for launch on Monday 17 July.
 
 

Launch diary

 •  MetOp launch status (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMTNI8A9HE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  Europe's first polar-orbiting weather satellite ready for launch (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEM7UVN7BTE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  Integration of MetOp upper-composite and third-stage complete (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMK4SV74TE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  Safe arrival at the launch facility for MetOp (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEM5RJV74TE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp encapsulated in fairing (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMXMFLKKSE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp integrated with Fregat upper-stage (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMWACVHESE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp launch campaign resumed (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMFZD8LURE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp to be launched in October (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMFM0JZBQE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  Launch of MetOp-A postponed (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMPPYAUQPE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp ready for launch (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMEXZDQMPE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  Last-ever look at MetOp (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMXEHA6CPE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp joins Fregat upper-stage (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMZOGIO9PE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp fuelled and pressurised (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMDZRVT0PE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp-A gets green light for 17 July launch date (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMOGREFWOE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp – last phase of testing before launch (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMG70L8IOE_LPmetop_0.html)
 •  MetOp satellite shipped to Baikonur on 18 April (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMIV1OFGLE_LPmetop_0.html)

In depth

 •  Soyuz launch vehicle (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/SEMAM1X4QWD_0.html)
 •  Baikonur (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ESA_Permanent_Mission_in_Russia/SEMRSA1XDYD_0.html)

Related links

 •  EUMETSAT (http://www.eumetsat.int)
 •  EADS-Astrium (http://www.space.eads.net/)
 •  Starsem (http://www.starsem.com)
 •  NOAA (http://www.noaa.gov)
 •  CNES (http://www.cnes.fr/html/_455_.php)