(C34) De-mating of the Upper Composite

As explained in the last post (02/07), an unexpected inspection of the satellite in upper position was granted by Arianespace. To allow this inspection, the de-mating of the Upper Composite was necessary. In order not to loose time, this activity started early on the Friday 03/07. The de-mating of an upper composite with a long fairing is an operation that has apparently never taken place before. The pictures below reflect in short what has been performed this Friday.

1-View of the Upper Composite at the start of the activities from the BAF PFES (PlateForme Elévatrice Supérieure)

2-De-encapsulation of MSG-4

 3-Lifting of the Upper Composite, view of the MSG-4 Main Communication Platform

4-Getting the Upper Composite on the ground floor in the BAF Airlock

5-During the inspection of StarOneC4, MSG-4 stays mated on the Ariane 5 launcher with adequate protections at the interface level. Few red tag items items have been re-installed mainly to protect the spacecraft from contamination. We all expect this unexpected standby phase will not last too long.

P.S.:We could have given this post other titles like " Déjà vu" or may be better "Hello again" :-)

Keep you posted.