Tag Archives: integration

Successful integration of the upper composite, containing MetOp-B and the Fregat, with the Soyuz Block I

Taken from EUMETSAT, 12 September

The mechanical integration of the Upper Composite with Soyuz Block was performed successfully on 11 September, and electrical tests are now underway.

The Upper Composite and Soyuz Block I integrated in the MIK 40 facility (Gökhan Kayal)

Weighing about 12 tonnes (12,000 kilos), the Upper Composite was carefully lifted with a crane onto a train on the afternoon of 10 September. The train and its precious cargo made a slow and steady journey overnight, finally arriving at its destination the following morning.

The Upper Composite is unloaded in the MIK 40 facility (EUMETSAT)

Once safely inside the MIK 40 processing facility, the mechanical integration of the Upper Composite and Soyuz Block I was initiated and completed. The launch team is now conducting a series of electrical tests and everything is running according to schedule.

Metop-B is due to be launched from the base at Baikonur, Kazakhstan at 16:28:40 UTC on 17 September.

Integration with Soyuz Block I (EUMETSAT)

The Metop satellites are Europe’s first operational meteorological satellites in polar orbit. They constitute the space segment of the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) delivering data for numerical weather prediction (NWP) – the basis of modern weather forecasting – and climate and environmental monitoring.

Integration with Soyuz Block I (EUMETSAT)

 

A week in pictures: MetOp-B nears launch configuration

From ESA's launch campaign team, Baikonur, 3 April

Setting up for alignment

Last week was busy, but things went well. The main activities included the pyro-connection, alignment, solar array integration and finishing off applying the multilayer insulation.

To take all the alignment measurements, the satellite was positioned vertically on a 'rotary table'.

... and on to the rotary table

Measurements were taken using reference mirror cubes and thodolite to verify the instrument and the attitude and orbit control system were aligned. In total, 58 measurements were taken.

Ready to receive the solar array

Then came the task of joining the solar array to the satellite. To do this satellite was tilted and rotated to receive the array.

The integration the solar array was finally completed and tested.

Mini deploymentSolar array integration nears completion

In parallel, the multilayer insulation was applied to the satellite and by the end of the week MetOp-B was near to its launch configuration.

Nearing launch configuration

Fuelling and red-tag removal will follow!