It’s been a busy week at Europe’s spaceport where Sentinel-2B is being checked and prepared for liftoff on 7 March at 01:49 GMT (02:49 CET; 22:49 local time on 6 March).

Light tightness test. (ESA)

Sentinel-2B has been joined to its Vega rocket launch adapter and together with Arianespace all the mechanical and electrical interfaces have been checked.

Francois offers around the champagne to mark his birthday. (ESA)

The team also enjoyed another celebration as it was Francois Spotto’s (Sentinel-2 Project Manager) birthday on 17 January.

Equipment has been moved and set up in the launch area and links with ESA’s ESOC European Operations Centre in Germany have been checked. Also the first stage of the Vega rocket has been transported to the launch site.

Vega first stage being transported to launch site. (CNES)

The main instrument – the multispectral instrument – has been checked for cleanliness and has also been carefully tested to demonstrate that it’s light-tight, i.e. no light can get in or out.  This innovative wide swath high-resolution multispectral has 13 spectral bands for a new perspective of our land and vegetation.

Today, the team is rehearsing the sequences that will be in place during the final launch countdown.

Visit from the local press. (ESA)

The team has also been visited by some spaceport employees and also some local press.

From the ESA launch campaign team in Kourou.

Read more about the Sentinel-2 mission