Campaign status on 10/05/2012

After the propulsion tests, another series of tests is in preparation. The presence of an unusual mast in the clean room gives a flavor of what is going to happen next week.

If you have also noticed the presence of the TPA (Toroidal Pattern Antenna) which has been very recently mounted on the top of MSG-3, it will be become crystal clear that the next series of tests will be related to RF (Radio Frequency) or antennas connection tests.

The spacecraft (SC) needs first to be put in a configuration more representative to flight. Therefore the solar arrays (SA) which have been dismounted at the MSG-3 arrival in Kourou for inspection, and giving access to the various subsystem inner to the spacecraft, will be reassembled.
Before "closing" MSG-3, a careful check of the thermal blanket or MLI (Multi Layer Insulation) is performed. The inventory of red tag (to be removed) and green tag (to fly) items is checked. Nothing should be forgotten inside the SC that could jeopardize the mission later on as long as when the panels are mounted there are very little not to say no access inside.

The reintegration of the SA is a very delicate operation that can only be done by skilled personnel.

Once the eight panels will be on MSG-3 (in principle by 11/05) an electrical check on the SA will be made to confirm their good health.

So far MSG-3 campaign activities carries on as planned.
Keep you posted

K.B.

Breaking news:
Our co-passenger (Jupiter 1 renamed Echostar 17) has just arrived in CSG. It is a telecom satellite and will be put into space by an Ariane 5 ECA rocket with MSG-3 on 19/06 (flight VA207). The US launch campaign team will sit next to us in the southern aisle of the S5 Building. En passant, one can can notice the very short duration of the launch campaign for telecom satellites: roughy one month difference with MSG.


For information, the next flight from CSG (VA206) is still planned on Tuesday May 15th @19:23 (Kourou time). This is an important date for us as well.