MSG-3 Launch Campaign: MSG-3 encapsulation completed

This is the platform at the 11th floor of the BAF where MSG-3 was left yesterday (26/06/2012) after mating on the top of the Ariane 5 launcher...

Few mechanical operations had still to be done: namely, the finalisation of the thermal blanket (MLI) on the top of the spacecraft as well as the removal of the last Non Flight items (also known as red tag items). At that point, MSG-3 reached its flight configuration.
Today 27/06/2012, was the last chance to see MSG-3, "dressed to kill", before the encapsulation in the upper composite (fairing) started.

In the meantime, MSG-3 co-passenger (Echostar-17) was put in the upper part of the fairing on the ground floor of the BAF.
The half loaded fairing had to be lifted from ground Zero through this large chimney to reach the 11th floor of the BAF or the PFEI (Platforme Elévatrice Inférieure/Lower Platform) where stands MSG-3.

1- Here below, the upper composite is reaching the PFES (PlateForme Elévatrice Supérieure/Upper Plaform), on the top of the PFEI.

2-Moving the upper composite laterally to align the fairing with MSG-3

3-Alignment OK,

4-Moving the fairing down

5-Below, one can see that encapsulation is almost done. The fairing is left for about 1 hour and a half few centimeters away from the launcher in order to perform the last electrical connections beween the upper composite and the launcher equipment bay. This position is secured with shims. Then, the final phase of the encapsulation can take place.

6-On 27/06/2012 @ 16:00 encapsulation of both spacecrafts, Echostar-17 in upper position and MSG-3 in lower position was completed.

The next step is to put in place and torque 420 screws and bolts around fairing flange to firmly fix the upper composite (loaded fairing) to the launcher. As you can see, the (swiss) army of crews and washers is ready on the table for this purpose :-)

In the next days, few operations will take place to make sure that our "baby" on the rocket can still communicate with the base. As from today one thing is sure, MSG-3 will strart to live its own life...

Few other picures of the same event forwarded by Arianespace:
1-View of the fairing loaded with Echostar-17 in the upper part (BAF ground floor)