In all truth, whoever has ever worked on a space project longs to get a ticket to participate to the launch campaign. No matter if for one week or for a couple of months, this is the final stage we have worked for, really hard, for a very long time.

In the case of MTG, some people have been on the project for more than 12 years. Some others for a shorter time, as in our case. Still, MTG-I1 is like a son for the team and the reason why we are here in Kourou, far away from our families, enjoying every day of work: to follow the spacecraft in final preparation for its time in space.

Last week was a busy week for the team. Not only did we successfully conclude the payload testing, we also had good progress on generating the necessary inputs to close out the MTG-I1 Qualification Acceptance Review (QAR).

Due to the ongoing tests, we had several experts from the ESA team joining the crew. Their contribution has been, as always, top notch.

As ESA’s Product Assurance (PA) engineer I have had several interesting tasks to handle, including Mandatory Inspection Points (MIP) of the fairing and the sylda. Let’s look into what this actually means.  For launch, MTG-I1 will be placed inside the sylda, the sylda will be placed under the lower part of the fairing. On top of MTG-I1 and the sylda,  our two co-passengers Maxar Galaxy 35 and 36 will be located for the launch. In the figure below the French word Coiffe is used for fairing.

Credits: CNES

As we have high cleanliness requirements for our spacecraft, it is essential that the encapsulation for the  launch offers a very clean environment. To confirm this, we have a mandatory fairing internal cleanliness inspection. For this activity,  the launcher is not yet fully assembled and the fairing is easily accessible.

Despite this, it was necessary for the ESA and Eumetsat PA representatives to climb a six-level platform placed inside the fairing to inspect the very top, approximately 12-14 m high.

The fairing for MTG-I1 launcher and the platform to inspect it. (Credits: Arianespace)

Can you imagine, the feeling of being at the very top of an Ariane 5 launcher? ‘Oh my goodness’,  Karolina’s favorite surprise exclamation. It was absolutely amazing! Very hot and quite small (only two people allowed at the highest platform level), but it gave an amazing feeling.

As MTG-I1 will sit inside the sylda, the next step was to inspect its external and internal surfaces.

During the inspections, there was great support from Eumetsat Quality Assurance manager as well as the quality managers of Arianespace and the suppliers of the fairing and the sylda. This is of course important in order for this important inspection to run smoothly. A big thank you to all of them.

I am happy to report the cleanliness levels observed for all items was extremely high.

A happy PA inside the sylda, after a long day of inspections.(Credits: ESA)

So far, the inspections of the different parts of the launcher have taken place in the Final Assembly Building (BAF), which requires quite a bit of driving back and forth on the extremely large launch site. If you are lucky, during these drives you may witness activities that are ongoing outside the cleanrooms and offices. For example, we managed to see one of the boosters to be used at the MTG-I1 launch being transported to the Launcher Integration Building (BIL).

One of the boosters on its way into the BIL. (Credits: ESA – K. Varewijck)

During our daily work, we are all truly enjoying the time spent together in the team, which will continue as more members of the MTG family joined over the week. It is incredible how everyone brings not only their specific technical expertise, but also a unique and precious energy, which complements and boosts the dynamics in the team. For us   ̶  relatively new entries in the team  ̶  this is an incredible and unique experience to get to know each other and build a stronger relationship with our colleagues.

During our downtime the team continues to have fun sampling the delights that Kourou and the surrounding area can offer, thanks to the great advice and organisation of the local freelance team. Sometimes heavy rain tries to ruin our plans, but without success.

Raffa ‘Coco’ Carli and the ‘big boss’ on a happy Sunday. (Credits: ESA)

These adventures continue to motivate and strengthen the cohesion in the team, which further enhances  the trust and working relationships in the team and will surely be maintained long after the completion of this launch campaign and bodes well for the future of the MTG recurrent activities.

The  team spirit throughout the MTG team is very high and fully embraces  our partners ‘in crime’ Eumetsat and Thales Alenia Space. To get a spacecraft into space requires extensive teamwork and everyone’s contribution is highly important.

During this week, we took the opportunity to have a guided tour of the spaceport, giving us the  opportunity to visit the Ariane 5 and Ariane 6  launch pads and the main launch control room in Jupiter II.

With the combination of work and the new experiences French Guyana can offer, there is no chance we will feel ‘lost’ when we are together.

(Credits: Alex Palacios)

Post from: Karolina Varewijck, ESA Senior PA Engineer, and Giulia Quaresima, ESA MTG documentalist and administrative support.

Read more about the Meteosat Third Generation mission.