MSG-3 on flight adaptor

Operations to prepare MSG-3 to move the BAF (Final Assembly Building) have continued. On 22/06/2012, MSG-3 was moved from the fuel stand to the flight adaptor. This is considered as an hazardous operation as the spacecraft was fuelled while moving.
The few pictures below give a flavor of this activity, from the starting point, the fuel stand, to the adaptor (which is visible on the left hand side).

1- De-clamping the spacecraft.

2-The lift from the adaptor is carefully controlled by visual inspection (Jean-René) and communication with the crane operator in case of need. In this ascending critical phase, the crane is operated by Thales as slow as possible.

3- During the lateral transfer, the crane is still using a slow speed mode to prevent any uncontrolled moves. At this moment the lower part of the spacecraft is fully visible (for the last time). This is the right moment then for the Quality Control (Salvatore) to take few pictures.

...this is almost what can be seen:

 4-other people are interested to record this moment: the Arianespace TV for Public Relations and communication purposes.

5- This is also a critical phase. Happy landing (almost made) . When MSG-3 is 800 mm far from the adaptor, operating responsibility is transferred to the ASTRIUM team (contracted by Arianespace) under supervision of Thales.

6-Still time to get out before to get a free ticket for space:-)

7-Job completed: MSG-3 stands on its flight adaptor. In the sequence, this step is immediately followed by clamping MSG-3 with the flight clamp band on the adaptor.