Sentinel-2 in the Vega launch tower. (ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–T. Leduc)
Following encapsulation in the Vega rocket fairing, the team transferred the ‘payload assembly composite’, which is essentially the fairing with Sentinel-2 sealed within, to an airlock.
Then the ventilation system was installed and the team waited for night to fall before initiating the transport to the launch pad, to avoid the tropical heat outside.
The assembly was then rolled to the launch pad and hoisted up into the tower – in position for liftoff on 4 September at 03:50 CEST (3 September 22:50 local time).
Vega–Sentinel-2C upper-composite ready to be moved out of the cleanroom. (ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin)
Vega–Sentinel-2C upper-composite being lifted onto transport gear. (ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin)
Vega–Sentinel-2C upper-composite ready for the launch tower. (ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–T. Leduc)
Vega–Sentinel-2C upper-composite on a roll to the launch pad. (ESA–M. Pédoussaut)
Vega–Sentinel-2C upper-composite being hoisted into the launch tower. (ESA–M. Pédoussaut)
Sentinel-2 being hoisted into the Vega launch tower. (ESA–M. Pédoussaut)
Read more about the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.
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