ESA title
Proba-2 launch team group picture at the museum
Enabling & Support

Entry 12: Checking launch tower links

405 views 0 likes
ESA / Enabling & Support / Space Engineering & Technology / Proba Missions

Sunday 13th September – Because things went so smoothly with system level testing yesterday today is only a half working day today. So Sunday turns out to be at least partially a day of rest. In the morning, the team visits the local Russian Armed Forces museum, detailing the Plestesk cosmodrome’s half a century of life… and its many missile launches!

Proba-2 solar panel end-to-end continuity check
Proba-2 solar panel end-to-end continuity check

In the afternoon however the entire team is back at the MIK for final system verification activities: this involves checking the power system end-to-end continuity and final checkout of the umbilical lines at the launch pad. For around two hours, Khrunichev electrical engineers repeat electrical measurements once more to check links between the top of the launch tower and the ‘under table room’ – which is a chamber located underground, right below the tower.

It is from this little room that the team will, in a matter of weeks, be performing battery health monitoring and charging of Proba-2 up to launch day. Meanwhile at the MIK all data gathered during yesterday’s testing undergoes thorough analysis.

That night a formal dinner event takes place at the team’s hotel, attended by representatives of all involved parties to celebrate the successful conclusion of the first Proba-2 launch campaign phase.

Related Links

Proba-2, final checks
Enabling & Support

Entry 1: Belgium says goodbye to Proba-2

521 views 0 likes
Read
Loading of Proba-2 container in cargo plane at Brussels airport
Enabling & Support

Entry 2: Proba-2's journey to Plesetsk

538 views 0 likes
Read
Transport of Proba-2 container to the MIK
Enabling & Support

Entry 3: Unpacking after the trip

385 views 1 likes
Read
Opening of the Proba-2 satellite container in the cleanroom
Enabling & Support

Entry 4: Proba-2 unloaded and ready for inspection

465 views 0 likes
Read
Hoisting of satellite from its container and assembly of integration dolly
Enabling & Support

Entry 5: Proba-2 powered up

470 views 0 likes
Read
Inspection of Proba-2 internal compartments
Enabling & Support

Entry 6: End-to-end testing

692 views 0 likes
Read
Filling of the propulsion tank with xeon
Enabling & Support

Entry 7: Filling Proba-2 up with xenon

598 views 0 likes
Read
Mounting of the first deployable solar panel
Enabling & Support

Entry 8: Proba-2 gains a solar panel

586 views 0 likes
Read
Mounting of solar panel
Enabling & Support

Entry 9: Proba-2 gains its second ‘wing’

390 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 with solar panels mounted
Enabling & Support

Entry 10: Completing Proba-2

397 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 final full functional test
Enabling & Support

Entry 11: Putting Proba-2 to the test

493 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 launch team group picture at the museum
Enabling & Support

Entry 12: Checking launch tower links

396 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 back in its storage container in the cleanroom
Enabling & Support

Entry 13: Letting SMOS take its turn

467 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 team arrival at Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Enabling & Support

Entry 14: Second phase of Proba-2 launch campaign begins

432 views 0 likes
Read
ESP mounting on the final panel
Enabling & Support

Entry 15: Last bolts tightened on Proba-2

428 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2
Enabling & Support

Entry 16: A short journey off the ground – Proba-2 mated to…

434 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 in its final launch position, on top of Breeze
Enabling & Support

Entry 17: Proba-2 mated onto Breeze upper stage

567 views 0 likes
Read
Removal of Proba-2 protective covers
Enabling & Support

Entry 18: Encapsulated, Proba-2 vanishes from view forever

485 views 0 likes
Read
Encapsulation
Enabling & Support

Entry 19: Proba-2 in place and powered up

420 views 0 likes
Read
SMOS, Proba-2 and Khrunichev teams
Enabling & Support

Entry 20: Rail ride to the launch pad

564 views 1 likes
Read
Joined dress rehearsal of Proba-2 and SMOS in MCC
Enabling & Support

Entry 21: Far-flung dress rehearsal for launch

986 views 0 likes
Read