This photo taken just a few hours ago by ESA's Stephane Corvaja in Kourou. Magnificent! Click on image for more photos in Flickr.
Ariane 5 with ATV Edoardo Amaldi during transfer to the launch pad, 21 March 2012 Credit: ESA/S. Corvaja, 2012
A nice little animated slide show taken from a sequence of photos of Ariane 5 roll-out this afternoon in Kourou. The passenger? None other than ATV Edoardo Amaldi, of course! Sincere thanks to ESA's Eric Joseph-Gabriel in Kourou and Daniel Guyomard in ESTEC.
ATV-3 onboard Ariane 5 starts roll-out 21 March 2012 Credit: ESA/Eric Joseph-Gabriel
Quick-delivery of 'Blackberry snap' from ESA colleagues in Kourou (Thanks, Eric, via Daniel!).
With a very special passenger aboard! This view taken by ESA's Stephane Corvaja earlier today as the launcher and payload were being prepared for 'roll out' from the Final Assembly Building (the BAF, seen in this image), where they've sat for several weeks during final integration, to launch pad No. 3 at Kourou.
The latest (and possibly final?) installment from Charlotte Beskow in Kourou, sent in last night. She gives a review of what went on during yesterday's very impressive Ariane 5 roll-out. We've also pasted in a v. cool raw video extract courtesy of ESA TV (natural audio only - no narration) shot yesterday. Click on 'continue reading' below to read her full post - DGS
Kourou, Monday 14 February 2011
Today is D-1! Actually it is wrong to say "D-1" because it gives the impression we are almost at the end of the project. In fact, we are nearing the end of the preparation. The real fun is about to start!!!
Here in Kourou, it is easy to confuse the launch with the mission because for the people at CSG the launch **is** the purpose. As soon as we are off the ground and safely on our way to the ISS, their work with us is over and they have a new set of clients hammering at the door, waiting to get in [or get up? - Ed.].
Launcher is ready for roll out
If you are in Kourou, the launch preparations of Ariane 5 v200 with ATV Johannes Kepler on board are now also visible - no more mere simulations, testing or work inside the high-rise buildings.
Today, just like always before a launch, the launch vehicle is being rolled out and transported to the launch pad. For the 200th launch of Ariane and the second launch of ATV, this is happening now..!
ESA's Charlotte Beskow, in Kourou, has sent some great photos; check back in the blog for more images later today!
Road is closed!
