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 Transfer to The Ariane 6 Launch Pad

Thursday, 29th of October

On Thursday 29th of October, the Sentinel-1D spacecraft was transferred from the Encapsulation Facility Ariane to the Launch Pad.

The spacecraft is now at the Ariane 6 Launch Pad!

Spacecraft Integration on Upper Composite TRailer at EFA

On Wednesday, the Upper Composite (consisting on the Spacecraft + Launcher Vehicle Adapter + Fairing) was integrated on the Upper Composite Trailer (UCT) in preparation for the transfer to Ariane 6 Launch Pad (called ZL4).

View of the Ariane 6 launch pad, showcasing the encapsulated spacecraft topped with a fairing, inside a facility with visible branding from Arianespace and ESA.
The Sentinel-1D spacecraft is being prepared for launch, displayed within the encapsulation facility, with technicians in protective gear working on it.
Technicians in yellow suits work around the Ariane 6 fairing inside the encapsulation facility, preparing for spacecraft integration.
A spacecraft fairing being lifted in a clean room by a crane, with engineers in protective yellow suits visible on a platform.
Ariane 6 rocket fairing being lifted at the Ariane encapsulation facility, showcasing safety measures and preparation for satellite integration.
A spacecraft fairing being lifted by a yellow crane inside a facility, with technicians in yellow suits observing the process.
An upper composite trailer positioned inside a large facility, holding a spacecraft with an ArianeSpace logo, while technicians in yellow suits and hard hats oversee the integration process.
The Ariane 6 fairing with the Sentinel-1D spacecraft is being lifted at the Upper Composite Trailer in a preparation facility, surrounded by technicians in safety gear.
Ariane 6 launch vehicle encapsulated with the spacecraft, positioned in the integration facility with technicians and equipment visible.

Upper Composite transfer to Ariane 6 Launch Pad

On Thursday, the UCT departed from the Encapsulation Facility Ariane towards the Launch Pad to meet the launcher.

Ariane 6 Upper Composite Trailer displaying the fairing and equipment at the launch site.
View of the Ariane launch facility with a large building and an adjacent launch structure in the foreground, under a cloudy sky.
Ariane 6 upper composite on a transport trailer at the launch site, featuring the spacecraft fairing and support equipment under cloudy skies.
Ariane 6 Launch Pad with the spacecraft encapsulated in the fairing on a trailer, surrounded by infrastructure and a blue sky.
Launch pad area with the Ariane 6 rocket and encapsulated spacecraft being prepared for launch.
The Ariane spacecraft is displayed in the Encapsulation Facility, with technicians and equipment around it, preparing for launch.

Our Product Assurance and Safety Manager, Fulvio, was part of the convoy together with Alessandro as representative from the spacecraft manufacturer (TAS-I). They had to drive slowly and wear the special safety suit required for this hazardous operation. That was hot!!

Selfie of a man in a car wearing a grey polo shirt and blue lanyard, with a yellow safety suit tied around his waist.

Upper Composite Integration on the Launcher

The last step was the hoisting of the Upper Composite in the launch pad and the integration on the launcher.

Look at the spectacular view of the Ariane 6 launcher vehicle!

Technicians in yellow safety suits work on the encapsulated Sentinel-1D spacecraft at the encapsulation facility, with machinery and scaffolding visible in the background.
A spacecraft being hoisted into position for integration on a launch pad, surrounded by workers in yellow safety suits and industrial equipment in a spacious hangar.
A close-up view of the upper stage of the Ariane 6 rocket being hoisted in a facility, with visible machinery and scaffolding in the background.
The Upper Composite of the Sentinel-1D spacecraft, including the fairing, is being hoisted for integration at the launch facility, with visible industrial infrastructure in the background.
A view of the Ariane 6 spacecraft fairing being hoisted inside the encapsulation facility, showcasing the large structure suspended from yellow lifting equipment with metal beams in the background.
The Upper Composite of the Ariane 6 rocket is being prepared for launch inside the facility, with yellow safety equipment visible and personnel in protective suits observing the process.
Aassen spacecraft being prepared for integration at the launch facility, with technicians in safety gear overseeing the operation.
An aerial view of a spacecraft being hoisted with a crane inside a facility, surrounded by technicians in safety gear on elevated platforms.
View of the upper composite integrated with the spacecraft and launch vehicle adapter inside the launch facility, surrounded by workers and safety equipment.

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