Almost dressed to kill

In order to complete the  electrical testing, Solar Arrays (SA) have been (re) mounted for testing on the spacecraft and the protection covers removed. Tests which have been performed are called "flood tests". The spacecraft was powered by its own batteries and the SAs were, one by one "flooded" with light generating as expected electrical current.The successful performance of this test proved that everything was properly connected and Telemetry (TM) was indicating that the solar panels were illuminated. The good health of the SAs was checked last February in Cannes by the successful performance of flasher tests.
The picture below shows MSG-3 as it was configured for the flood test.

Here under, a closer view on the solar cells (Silicone type) at the bottom edge of the SA.

The flood test was successfully completed by a grounding tests.
Then MSG-3 was straighten up...

Credits: Emilio

to be ready as from 14/05/12 to start the antenna connection tests.
As it can be seen below, a horn mast opposite the the MSG-3 antenna platform has been installed on the transportation dolly for that purpose.

There are four types of antennas on MSG:

• S/L Band TPA, the large part of the black cylinder
• S Band TTC, the tip on the black cylinder
• UHF Band EDA (white crosses)
• L Band EDAs (small tips on the silver cylinder)

A glance at MSG-3 as it stands now in the clean room shows a close configuration to the one that will hopefully fly next month. Obviously few thermal blankets still need to be mounted to cover the rectangular Solar Array cut outs.
For keeping memory of this milestone, few official pictures have been taken by the ArianeSpace photographer.

That is why we dare to say that as from today MSG-3 is already almost dressed to kill...