On the way to the ‘launch zone’

Sealed from view within its protective rocket fairing, Sentinel-2A has left the integration facility and has been taken to the ‘Vega Launch Zone’.

Being lifted on to the transportation platform. (ESA–M. Pedoussaut)

The ‘payload assembly composite’ was carefully lifted and fixed onto a transportation platform, which was then towed by truck away from the ‘S5’ building that has been its home since 21 April.

Carefully securing the assembly to the transportation platform. (ESA–M. Pedoussaut)

The team including ESA’s Sentinel-2 Project Manager, Francois Spoto, and Launch Campaign Manager, Paolo Laberinti, were there to see their baby off in the rather drizzly weather.

On the transportation platform. (ESA–M. Pedoussaut)

At the Vega Launch Zone, the payload assembly composite was lifted up the gantry to the same level as the Vega’s AVUM upper-stage, which is already sitting on the lower stages of the rocket.

Leaving the building. (ESA–C. Wildner)

Today, it will be joined to AVUM. This happens very slowly, and first the upper composite will be held by a ‘spacer’ just a few centimetres from AVUM to allow all the connections to be checked.

Saying goodbye. (ESA–C. Wildner)

Once confirmed ok, they will be connected, or ‘mated’.

The team will not be allowed to witness this, however, for safety reasons.

On the way to the launch zone. (ESA–C. Wildner)

AVUM will be fuelled at the beginning of next week, ready for liftoff is set for 23 June at 01:52 GMT (03:52 CEST; 22:52 local time on 22 June).