From Damiano Serlenga (ESA), Baikonur Cosmodrome, 12 March 2012

MetOp-B unpacked and positioned

Following our arrival in Baikonur on 21 February, and then the next two shipments, we have been busy unpacking and setting things up for the campaign.

After some delays because of the weather, the second Antonov carrying MetOp-B, finally arrived on 6 March.

The cargo is transported from the airfield to the integration facilities, the MIK, by train.

On 8 March, MetOp-B and the support equipment, the third flight carrying the solar array arrived. It took five hours to unload and carry to the MIK.

Things are going well and it’s good to see MetOp and all the equipment being unpacked.