Today 21/06/2012 at 13:30, 365 kgs of MMH (liquid fuel) were successfully loaded into the MSG-3 spacecraft . After the MON (liquid oxidizer) filling, this step ended the fuelling activity of the spacecraft. In total, the MSG-3 dry mass has been increased of about one ton of propellant. The completion of the fuelling phase will be fully achieved when the decontamination of the Fuelling Ground Support Equipment (FGSE) will be made. This activity is planned in the next days but is independent of the spacecraft coming operations.
The few pictures below give an insight on the "dressing" of the fuel team at the EPCU-S5E (08:45 a.m.) before the MMH fuelling started.
SCAPE suit "wardrobe".
(SCAPE: Self Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble)
SCAPE suits are extremely heavy and each fuel man needs support from a CSG staff for donning the suit.
From left to right: Gérald and Eric for the Thales fuelling team (almost ready) in SCAPE suits.
Departure of the fuel team from S5E building to S5B with a dedicated transport.
Post Scripum:
As the activity is successfully completed as this message is being published, let's say Bravo with a big applause the Thales team!
Above, the fuelling team for the "
pissaladière" party at the Hotel that take traditionally place after the fuelling. A special thank to Gérard who cooked himself the pissaladère.
From left to right:
Maurice, Alain, Gérald. Gérard, Ferran (ESA), Kevin (behind), Jean-Pierre, Eric
Next rendez-vous for MSG-4?
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