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 Spacecraft Fuelling

Wednesday, 15th of October

After completing all the preparatory activities and weighting the spacecraft to obtain its “dry mass” (mass before fuelling), the spacecraft has been fuelled in the hazardous preparation facility.

The spacecraft has been loaded with propellant and is now ready to start the combined operations phase.

Propellant Loading

On Tuesday 14th October the Sentinel-1D spacecraft was fuelled with 154 kg of hydrazine propellant, enough to last for its entire lifetime.

As this is an irreversible operation, before loading the propellant we reviewed that all parts of the mission, the spacecraft, the launcher and the ground segment are all ready. This was done at the launcher Flight Readiness Review on Friday and the spacecraft Flight Readiness Review on Monday. Both reviews were successful and authorisation was given to proceed with the fuelling of Sentinel-1D.

Due to the hazardous nature of the fuelling, the operations performed by the propulsion experts team of Thales Alesnia Space Italy were strictly controlled and the operators wore special suits called SCAPE (Self Contained Atmospheric Protection Ensemble) suits. Air to the suits was supplied via a hose connected to the wall and communication with the control room was made via radio. The procedures for the operations were checked and double checked by specialists and safety experts to ensure that everything was done correctly.

Two technicians in a preparation facility assist each other in putting on a space suit and helmet.
A person in an astronaut-like suit and helmet gives a thumbs up while standing in a preparation facility, with another suited figure partially visible to the left.
Technicians in SCAPE suits working on the Sentinel-1D spacecraft in a cleanroom during propellant loading operations.
Two technicians in white space suits are conducting operations in a hazardous preparation facility, with a fuel tank labeled 'Hydrazine Anhydrous' in the background and equipment connected to monitors.
A technician in a protective suit operates equipment in a clean room environment during spacecraft fuelling preparations.
Two technicians in protective suits working on a spacecraft in a clean room, with tools and equipment on a table nearby.
Two technicians in white protective suits and helmets monitor equipment in a spacecraft preparation facility, with a spacecraft visible in the background.
Interior of the hazardous preparation facility with a spacecraft from Thales Alenia Space undergoing final pre-fuelling preparations. An astronaut in a spacesuit stands beside equipment, while cameras are set up for monitoring.
Technician in a protective suit works on a spacecraft in a cleanroom with a Thales Alenia Space logo, preparing for fuelling activities.

Pressurisation and First Switch-on

On Wednesday 15th October the fuelling operations were completed with the pressurisation of the spacecraft and the first switch on after fuelling.

The team completed the operations successfully and Sentinel-1D is now ready to start the combined operations phase which is carried out together with the teams from Arianespace and Arianegroup. Next Monday we will meet for the combined operations readiness check, and the combined operations will proceed from Tuesday.

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