After six weeks of intense work, the first phase of the MTG-I1 launch campaign is coming to an end, paving the ground for the hazardous second phase of fuelling, before transferring the satellite to the Arianespace Launcher Authority, that is responsible for the final mating with the launcher in the third and last phase before launch.

A great acknowledgement goes to the dedication and professionalism of the industrial team of Thales Alenia Space and OHB.

The last two weeks were characterised by final system checks, advanced dry runs for the launch configuration and the training of launch countdown events involving both ESA and Eumetsat.

What is remarkable is that, despite the re-shuffling of activities due to the availability of manpower, the additional workload induced by Qualification Acceptance Review (QAR) closeout activities, and the re-test induced by NCR closeouts, the combined ESA-Eumesat industrial team could maintain the previously envisaged schedule of six weeks for this phase.

MTG-I1 inclined to perform the payload launch configuration. (Credits: ESA)

Last week was heavily loaded with closing investigations, which Thales was not able to complete in Europe simply because they had to advance the departure of the expedition by more than three weeks, in view of the change from air to maritime transport. After completion of these investigations and after the analysis of all data, the launch configuration dry run was successfully executed.

This week, the last in the stand-alone phase, focused on the launch closeout activities, prior to transfer to the Hazardous Processing Facility (HPF). Several parallel activities are on-going as we write: solar array inspection, to verify integrity after shipment; the removal of the second batch of red tag items, which will become inaccessible after the Multi-layer Insulation (MLI) finalisation; battery final connection; finalisation of the payload launch configuration (Flexible Combined Imager scan, etc.). Just to mention the most important ones.

But not only the satellite is readied for launch, also the people are trained to support the launch countdown activities in support to the launch authorities. For this, a specific launch countdown procedure was executed, mainly to train the people to the interactions with the different entities involved at the day of the launch.

On the launcher side, the preparation activities are running nominally for the envisaged launch date. Due to the stringent cleanliness levels required by MTG-I1, our combined Product Assurance team  ̶  Karolina (ESA), Maria (Eumetsat) and Severine (Thales Alenia Space)  ̶  made a challenging but rewarding cleanliness inspection of the Ariane fairing.

Considering the total height of 17 m, including the extension needed for the specific MTG-I1 & G35/G36 launch configuration, it’s easy to understand the challenge of climbing high, but they did not show any sign of fear of heights.

Fairing cleanliness inspection (Credits: ESA)

Another major step for the overall V259 mission   ̶  official Arianespace launch nomenclature  ̶  is the arrival of the second co-passenger satellite G-36. This will undergo the final testing and fuelling activities next week, in parallel to MTG-I1, before joining its partner G-35 waiting for it at the Final Assembly Building (BAF).

In other words, MTG-I1 is ready for the final two phases before liftoff: propellant loading and integration on Ariane 5.

Deprived of its leader Paolo Maximo, its Sergeant Major Giacomo (James) and Duracell Bunny deputy DJ-Peccia (Natalia was appointed new LC main DJ), the reduced team could keep working – leisure balance in a professionally efficient way, making significant progress as described above, but without forgetting that there is a life also outside the cleanrooms.

It has to be mentioned that, this week, the MTG-I1 launch team was at its lowest number (five) of people since 10 October, so the opportunity for an island visit in the weekend was taken (thank you Giulia for organising!), followed by a nice ‘pasta carbonara’ at Bar 105 MHz, also known as Raf’s shak, which extended the range of food and drinks & services for special guests.

Dinner at Bar 105 MHz (Credits: ESA)

In the meanwhile, the MTG-I1 takeover of the Kourou restaurants and bars is going on. After extensive measurements and in-depth analysis, our PA Karolina could give out the certificate for “MTG tested and approved restaurant” to one of the visited restaurants.

Furthermore, we had again a change of guard: Georgia and Davey left, while Sergeant Major and Cool Shaf returned to the Spaceport. One comment from an undisclosed source: “The fun is over’’.

In the coming weeks up to the launch, there will be more activities and pictures to share. Stay tuned.

 

Post from Raffaello Carli, ESA MTG-I1 Launch Campaign Assembly, Integration & Test Manager

Read more about the Meteosat Third Generation mission.