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...

MSG-3 mated on Ariane 5

After its transfer to BAF yesterday evening, MSG-3 was mated on the top of the Ariane 5 ECA launcher today 26/06/2012 @ at 09:34 am (CSG time). As these operations are under Arianespace responsibility, (very) few persons only form the MSG-3 launch campaign team were authorised to witness this activity.
The following pictures were taken directly form the TV monitor available in EPCU S5 but give a a rather good idea of this exciting event.
1-MSG-3 lifting to the top of the BAF

 2-Getting slowly down to the level of the PFES (Platform Elévatrice Supérieure/Upper platform). Note the large grey hose on the floor (formerly called "Boa") that will be used in BAF to cool down the batteries during charging activities.

3-Successful MSG-3 mating on the top of the Ariane 5 launcher at the level of the PFEI (PlateForme Elévatrice Inférieure/ Lower Platform).

Another view (from top with Camera#1). Both operating platfomrs can be seen (PFES and PFEI)

Activities will continue with the TAS MSG-3 team with the Spacecraft inspection and the review of the last flight and Non flight items...

MSG-3 moved to the BAF!

The last activity before MSG-3 is transferred to BAF (Final Assembly Building) took place on 25/06/2012 at the EPCU S5B where the spacecraft and its flight adaptor were integrated in the CCU-2 (Container de Charge Utile/Payload Container). The CCU-2 is then loaded on the trailer platform that will be tugged by a truck up to the BAF.
The CCU-2 has already been evoked several times in this blog. Today, it appears open like a "large Easter chocolate egg" :-) for permitting these operations.

The CCU-2 has been moved closed to the Spacecraft in EPCU S5B. MSG-3 stands on its adaptor where it was left since Friday 22/06/2012.

Transfer of the spacecraft together with its flight adaptor towards the CCU-2.

A view of MSG-3 once mated on the CCU-2.

CCU-2 once closed.

Moving MSG-3 encapsulated in the CCU-2 to the trailer platform.

Loading of the CCU-2 onto the trailer platform.

Eventually after weeks in EPCU S5, MSG-3 is ready to go to BAF.

Departure form EPCU S5B took place 25/06/2012 @ 19:30...
There are ca 10 kms between EPCU S5B and BAF. The speed of the truck is 8 km/h in the straight road and 5 km/h in the curves. The MSG-3 transfer will last in total about 2 hours.
...Today's activities represent a significant step forward in this launch campaign.

Few local churches

Christianity came to French Guiana together with colonisation and is still very present today. The Catholic group is the largest Christian community through the French Guyenese region. Local catholic practices have sometimes mixed with popular beliefs. The number of churches in each village all across the French Guiana reflects the importance of this presence even today. It is striking to observe the various architectural styles and materials that have been used for their construction. Some of these churches have been built (and decorated) by forced work prisoners.
Some of them may be noticed for a particular feature: For instance, the cathedral of Cayenne is the copy of Saint-Jean Baptiste de Grenelle in Paris. At Iracoubo, wooden interior of the church has been so remarkably painted that the church belongs now to the list of Monument historiques...
The few pictures below is just a poor selection of all this rich patrimony that can be seen when travelling through French Guiana.
1-Church in Roura

2-Church of Montsinéry

3-Church of Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock

4-Church of Sinnamary

5-Church of Mana

6-Church of Saint-Laurent du Maroni

7-Cathedral of Cayenne (bell tower)

8-Church of the Royal Island (Ile Royale)

9-Church of Iracoubo

10-Chuch of Regina

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.

Completion of the MMH fuelling

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?

Flight adaptor OK

As part of the POC activities, an inspection of the flight adaptor has taken place today 20/06/2102 at EPCU S5B. This mechanical part is quiet essential as it it is the direct interface between the launcher and the MSG-3 spacecraft. A clamp band will secure and tighten the spacecraft on this adaptor.
In flight, few minutes after lift off, six springs around the upper ring will push the spacecraft away from the adaptor after the activated pyrotechnic devices will open the clamp band. At this moment of the mission, the separation of the spacecraft from the launcher adaptor will take place. This will be monitored by two switches located on the top flange.

Inside the adaptor, Thales mechanical engineer checks carefully the position of the accelerometers that will record during launch the level of shocks seen by the lower part of the spacecraft particularly during the fairing and the clamp band opening.

A separate inspection of the bare clamp band was also part of today activity.
Worth to mention that the adaptor and the clamp band are manufactured by RUAG Sweden. A RUAG team is at CSG for completing the final preparation of these two  mechanical parts.

MSG-3 will be mated/clamped on the adaptor on 22/06/2012 at EPCU S5B and then loaded on the the CCU (Container de Charge Utile/Payload Container) for a transfer to BAF panned on 25/06/2012.