Hello everyone and welcome back for some more updates on our MTG-I1 launch campaign from the early team.

After our safe arrival in Kourou, we first all had to proceed to the reception of the CSG Centre Spatial Guyanais [CSG] spaceport to collect our official badges and codes that are required to enter the site and the assigned facilities. Now we could really roll up our sleeves and get down to business!

Overview of the spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. (credits: ESA)

Our ‘home base’ for the next two months will be the Satellite Preparation Complex (EPCU) called S5 (location 5 in the image above).

This complex hosts both the Payload Processing Facility [PPF], which will be used for the post-shipment and extensive standalone satellite tests (in S5C), and also the Hazardous Processing Facility [HPF], which will be used for fuelling MTG-I1 (in S5B). Once the satellite is fuelled it will be transferred to the final assembly hall (BAF) where the mating of the satellite with the launcher will take place.

The first order of business was to make sure that everyone on site knew that we had arrived – that the MTG-I1 team was ‘in-the-house’. I am happy to report that we successfully claimed our stake; as you can see, the MTG-I1 flag is flying high 🙂

MTG-I1 flag in front of S5C. (credits: ESA)

MTG-I1 flag. (credits: ESA)

But who is the early team, might you ask?

This group of experts consists of members of the MTG-I1 project team supported by IT specialists. Our main focus is the setup of the complete site infrastructure before the ever-important and highly anticipated arrival of the satellite. This includes the setup of the launch campaign offices and the overall network installation.

Boy, did we ever have a lot of ‘boxes’ to unpack! We shipped just over one tonne of cargo to CSG in advance of the separate satellite and technical equipment shipment to support the office and telecommunication setup activities. Our team began to assess and unpack the cargo on Thursday, and it was a great relief for everyone to see that all equipment arrived safely without any major damage.

ESA cargo used for office setup and network installation. (credits: ESA)

After two days, we finally got through all the boxes and completed the setup of our office spaces with network and power infrastructure and some extremely high-tech equipment (monitors, keyboards, mouse!) Thank goodness we have enough that we don’t have to share and we each get our own working space (and mouse)!

AIT & PA office. (credits: ESA)

Happy launch campaign manager (James Champion) in his new office. (credits: ESA)

We set up a dedicated network rack in the LBC [from French: Local Banc de Contrôle], which is the room where the satellite checkout equipment (SCOE) will be placed. Several internet routers were installed and connected to the CSG infrastructure in order to create one stand-alone network for MTG-I1. This stand-alone network is supported by two additional backup solutions (one via 4G and one via Satellite).

One of the most important activities was the set-up of the coffee corner, complete with microwave, fridge, kettle and the ever-critical coffee machine. Unfortunately, the room does not come with its own coffee barista but we do have some Italian team members amongst us who are happy to provide expert support J This space is certainly going to be well used, and will keep the morale of the entire team high (on caffeine!) A necessity for the extra-long working days.

ESA expert office in S5C. (credits: ESA)

Let’s give some shout-outs and thanks to the team from Atlantis Solutions, especially Mohammed “Shaf” Shafiq and his colleague Can Karahaliloglu, for their excellent on-site support. All of the setup activities were executed flawlessly due to the tremendous experience of Shaf, and the exceptional preparation that took place in Europe beforehand. Even the unexpected issues (like a non-availability of a dedicated network connection) were resolved and alternative solutions implemented with ease.

In short: The setup of our home base is now ready; the first important step of the launch campaign is completed and the essential communications back to Europe is up and running. And most importantly, our MTG-I1 sticker is on the door to our corridor!

MTG-I1 sticker on the S5C door. One of many traditions in Kourou. Can you find it? (credits: ESA)

What are the next steps? The arrival of the cleanliness team. This team will proceed with the acceptance of the cleanrooms in order to declare full readiness of the entire spacecraft processing facility. This has to take place before the arrival of our long-awaited MTG-I1 satellite, its associated ground support equipment and the rest of the launch campaign team.

Check back soon for some more updates from our Kourou launch base!

Post from Christoph Goetz, ESA MTG Principal AITV Engineer

Read more about the Meteosat Third Generation mission.