Sentinel 1CD Blog

This blog is dedicated to the Sentinel 1CD launch campaign at CSG Kourou. Here, we’ll be sharing the highlights of this incredible journey with our colleagues, families, and friends, bringing you along for every key moment of the campaign!

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Sentinel-1D Mating on Payload Adapter

Tuesday, 21st of October

On the 21st of October we started the combined operations between the Sentinel-1D spacecraft and the launcher, after confirming the readiness of all components: the spacecraft, the Upper Part that will host the spacecraft (fairing + payload adapter + launch vehicle adapter), the launcher and the facilities.

The combined operations with the launcher have started!

Spacecraft Mating

The first step of the combined operations took place in the hazardous preparation facility and consisted in the mating of the spacecraft onto the flight payload adapter, followed by the associated verification activities to confirm everything went well.

Starting from its initial position in the spacecraft integration trolley, the team from Thales Alenia Space placed the crane to move the spacecraft.

Thales Alenia Space spacecraft prepared for launch, with technicians in yellow suits monitoring the operations in a clean room.
Two technicians in safety gear work on the Thales Alenia Space spacecraft in a preparation facility, using a crane for assembly.

With careful manoevres, they lifted the spacecraft and moved it towards the ground support equipment holding the flight payload adapter.

Technicians in yellow protective suits and helmets are assembling a spacecraft in a clean room environment, with machinery and equipment visible in the background.
A spacecraft being lowered onto a flight payload adapter in a clean room, with technicians in yellow suits observing and assisting.
Technicians in yellow protective suits and helmets perform operations on the Thales Alenia Space spacecraft inside a clean room facility. The spacecraft is being lifted above a preparation area with machinery and tools visible in the background.
Workers in protective suits and helmets conduct operations in a clean room to mate the Sentinel-1D spacecraft with its flight payload adapter.

Finally, under the coordination of both the spacecraft and launcher teams, the spacecraft was gently positioned onto the flight adapter.

Technicians in yellow suits and helmets work on the Thales Alenia Space satellite during its mating process with the flight payload adapter in a preparation facility.
Technicians in yellow protective suits and helmets are seen mating a spacecraft, wrapped in reflective gold foil, onto a flight payload adapter in a clean room environment.
Technicians in yellow protective suits work on the assembly of a spacecraft in a clean room, focusing on mating the spacecraft with a flight payload adapter. The background shows various technical equipment and tools.
A spacecraft being prepared for launch inside a cleanroom facility, with technicians in safety gear conducting mating operations.
Technicians in yellow suits working on the mating of the Sentinel-1D spacecraft with its payload adapter in a clean room.

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