Launch diary

MetOp encapsulated in fairing


MetOp encapsulation
 
MetOp encapsulation
 
 
10 October 2006
 
Following the formal key point meeting with Starsem, the MetOp satellite mated to Fregat has been successfully encapsulated in the fairing.
 
The resulting Upper Composite will now be transferred, by train, from the integration facility to the launcher preparation facility tonight, in preparation for launch on Tuesday 17 October. The train will undergo its slow journey through the night to reach the Soyuz launcher preparation facility tomorrow morning where it will be mated with the third-stage of the rocket.
 
 
The instruments are inspected
   
The instruments are inspected
 
The encapsulation follows a week where inspection and analysis has been conducted to check that no damage had been sustained as a result of an incident that took place when the Upper Composite was being loaded onto the train to take it to the launch facility on 30 September.

The Upper Composite experienced a slight mechanical shock and therefore had to be returned to the clean room for a full inspection after de-encapsulation. This incident meant that the campaign had to be interrupted and MetOp could not be launched on 7 October as originally planned.
 
 
MetOp tilted in horizontal position
 
MetOp tilted in horizontal position
 
 
Fortunately, the inspection and analysis revealed that no damage had been incurred and subsequent talks between ESA, Starsem, EUMETSAT and the Russian partners resulted in a new launch date being set for 17 October at 18:28 CEST.
 
 

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 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)
 •  Upper-composite transferred to launcher integration facility (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMBFLWALPE_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)