(C18) Spacecraft finalisation before transfer to fuelling facility

All health checks, safety and functional tests have now been completed in S1B by the ThalesAleniaSpace team. Though few integration activities remains to be done (integration of the pyro arming, thermal blanket finalisation...), the spacecraft is about to be ready for a new phase of the campaign: the transfer to the fuelling facility (S5B). This move is nominally foreseen by end of next week. The few pictures below show MSG-4 close to its flight configuration before the transfer on the CCU (Container de Charge utile/Payload Container).

Some spacecraft areas have now been unveiled like the Main Communication Platform (MCP) where the UHF antenna are fully visible (white crosses), These antennas are used for Search and Rescue functions (detection of distress signals emitted by radio beacons).

 

Solar Array Panels are now visible as the protection covers have been removed. In the center, the rectangular thermal windows still need to be integrated. On the bottom of the spacecraft, the Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) are still covered with their blue caps.

 

Below, a full view on the spacecraft as it looks on Saturday 30/05 in the S1B High bay. Few "Red tag items" or Non Flight items can still be seen (e.g. red cover on the SEVIRI baffle cover, or caps on the thrusters...).