24 September - Start of combined operations
Integral flight hardware is now for the first time mated to Proton flight hardware. The SAAB separation system lower part has been bolted on top of the Russian made Proton adaptor, especially built for Integral.
These elements are needed to fix the spacecraft to the launcher and to allow the spacecraft to separate from the launcher once in orbit.
This is just a first step in a series of activities that will lead to the final preparation of the so-called space head unit, which consists of:
- the integral spacecraft,
- the separation system and the proton adaptor, as assembled today
- the Proton fairing to protect the spacecraft during the ascent
the Energia block DM upper stage.
Once completed, a train will transport this whole unit to another building for final assembly of the first three stages of the Proton launcher.
