As preparations continue to launch the Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite on 4 September, the team at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, has bid farewell to their precious satellite as they sealed it from view within the Vega rocket fairing – a milestone that carries a lot of emotion and excitement.

Closing the fairing. (ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin)

Closing the fairing. (ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin)

Time to say farewell. (ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin)

Time to say farewell. (ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin)

Fairing closed. (ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin)

Fairing closed. (ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin)

Emotion because it’s the last time we see the satellite. Excitement because the launch is becoming at each step more real.

For a couple of hours before the fairing closure, during the final inspection before flight, the lucky ones who were here could enjoy a fabulous sight.

Sentinel-2C was more beautiful than ever, all dressed-up in its flight configuration, looking like a precious jewel…… that will now be kept safely packed inside the launcher upper composite until it is on its way into orbit around Earth.

Read more about the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.