ESA title
Mounting of solar panel
Enabling & Support

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

10/09/2009 421 views 0 likes
ESA / Enabling & Support / Space Engineering & Technology / Proba Missions

Thursday, 10 September – Today it’s the turn of the second deployable solar panel to be attached to the body of the spacecraft. Since this is a crucial step in terms of ensuring mission success, maximum time has been reserved for this activity in the planning schedule. The aim is not to pressurise the team’s mechanical specialists.

ESA team at the launch pad
ESA team at the launch pad

Other team members meanwhile take the chance to visit the launch pad a few kilometres away. Being right at the foot of the tower from where Proba-2 will finally bid Earth goodbye makes for a breathtaking moment. The launch tower itself may still be without a rocket but it stands more than 40 metres tall, making it an impressive sight in its own right.

Related Links

Proba-2, final checks
Enabling & Support

Entry 1: Belgium says goodbye to Proba-2

01/07/2009 566 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

03/09/2009 593 views 0 likes
Read
Transport of Proba-2 container to the MIK
Enabling & Support

Entry 3: Unpacking after the trip

04/09/2009 411 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

05/09/2009 498 views 0 likes
Read
Hoisting of satellite from its container and assembly of integration dolly
Enabling & Support

Entry 5: Proba-2 powered up

06/09/2009 506 views 0 likes
Read
Inspection of Proba-2 internal compartments
Enabling & Support

Entry 6: End-to-end testing

07/09/2009 789 views 0 likes
Read
Filling of the propulsion tank with xeon
Enabling & Support

Entry 7: Filling Proba-2 up with xenon

06/09/2009 642 views 0 likes
Read
Mounting of the first deployable solar panel
Enabling & Support

Entry 8: Proba-2 gains a solar panel

09/09/2009 629 views 0 likes
Read
Mounting of solar panel
Enabling & Support

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

10/09/2009 421 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 with solar panels mounted
Enabling & Support

Entry 10: Completing Proba-2

11/09/2009 449 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 final full functional test
Enabling & Support

Entry 11: Putting Proba-2 to the test

12/09/2009 529 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 launch team group picture at the museum
Enabling & Support

Entry 12: Checking launch tower links

13/09/2009 438 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 back in its storage container in the cleanroom
Enabling & Support

Entry 13: Letting SMOS take its turn

14/09/2009 503 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2 team arrival at Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Enabling & Support

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

09/09/2009 464 views 0 likes
Read
ESP mounting on the final panel
Enabling & Support

Entry 15: Last bolts tightened on Proba-2

09/09/2009 480 views 0 likes
Read
Proba-2
Enabling & Support

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

16/10/2009 491 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

19/10/2009 604 views 0 likes
Read
Removal of Proba-2 protective covers
Enabling & Support

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

19/10/2009 535 views 0 likes
Read
Encapsulation
Enabling & Support

Entry 19: Proba-2 in place and powered up

23/10/2009 475 views 0 likes
Read
SMOS, Proba-2 and Khrunichev teams
Enabling & Support

Entry 20: Rail ride to the launch pad

23/10/2009 606 views 1 likes
Read
Joined dress rehearsal of Proba-2 and SMOS in MCC
Enabling & Support

Entry 21: Far-flung dress rehearsal for launch

23/10/2009 1067 views 0 likes
Read