Thursday 9th of October
Whilst this blog is full of pictures from the launch site in Kourou, French Guyana, there is also a lot of activity carried out back in Europe or more precisely in ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany to get the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) Team ready for Launch. This team of unsung heroes takes control of the Satellite once it is injected into the correct orbit by the launcher. They carry our many simulations covering the first few days after launch and practice so that they are ready to overcome any obstacle that comes their way during the critical hours until the Satellite is stabilised and the on-board systems can be validated. The team is split into 2 shift an A-Shift and a B-Shift to ensure that Operations can be carried out around the clock for three days after the launch or until the end of LEOP is declared by the Flight Director (FD).
Our very own Thomas Ormston leads the B-Shift as the Satellite Operation Manager (SOM). Freshly back to ESOC after a trip to Kourou with the S1 team, Tom and the rest of the LEOP team is nearly ready for the S1D Launch. Only a few more simulations remain for them to perform before the final Dress Rehearsal which is carried out the day before the launch.
Some great views of the teams in action in the Mission Control Room (MCR) in ESOC, Darmstadt.
Of course the LEOP team take time after the simulation to enjoy a lovely meal together and relax after some intense contingency scenarios. For this the team were joined by the S1 Project Manager, Thibaut Decoopman and S1D Satellite Mission Director and previous S1 Project Manager – Ramón Torres.
More pictures from the Simulation campaign to follow…
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