Sentinel-1D Spacecraft Integration at Ariane Facility

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October 26, 2025

Spacecraft Transfer to The Ariane Encapsulation Facility

Wednesday, 22^nd of October

On Wednesday the Sentinel-1D spacecraft was transferred from the hazardous preparation facility to the Ariane encapsulation facility inside the CCU3.

The spacecraft is now at the Ariane Encapsulation Facility for integration into the fairing!

Spacecraft mounting on CCU3 pallet

Following the mating of Sentinel-1D onto the flight payload adapter, the combination spacecraft + payload adapter was placed onto the CCU3 pallet. This pallet is the ground support equipment that helps moving the spacecraft + payload adapter onto the CCU3.

Technicians in yellow suits operate a crane to lift the Sentinel-1D spacecraft inside a cleanroom facility.

Technicians in yellow protective suits and helmets are carefully lifting the Sentinel-1D spacecraft using a crane inside a cleanroom facility, preparing for its integration onto a flight payload adapter.

Technicians in yellow protective suits coordinate the installation of the Sentinel-1D spacecraft using a crane inside a cleanroom environment.

Technicians in yellow protective suits maneuvering the Sentinel-1D spacecraft using a crane in a clean room environment.

Technicians in protective gear carefully maneuver the Sentinel-1D spacecraft using a crane, positioning it above a flight adapter during a transfer in the integration facility.

Technicians in yellow protective suits and helmets are assembling the Sentinel-1D spacecraft in a clean room environment.

Technicians in yellow protective suits and helmets work on the Sentinel-1D spacecraft during its integration process in a cleanroom facility.

The Sentinel-1D spacecraft is being prepared for integration into the fairing at the Thales Alenia Space facility, surrounded by technicians in cleanroom suits.

Sentinel-1D spacecraft mounted on a CCU3 pallet inside the Ariane encapsulation facility, with a cleanroom environment and bright lighting. — Sentinel-1D + payload adapter installed on CCU3 pallet

Spacecraft Enters CCU3

The CCU3 is the special container that preserves the environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity, overpressure) and cleanliness conditions required for its transportation between the various CSG buildings. It also protects the spacecraft against mechanical loads (shock, vibration).

During transportation, the main internal environment parameters are recorded for monitoring. A shock recorder is also installed in the container to record shocks and vibrations.