Author: francoisbausier
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Satellite fuelling
Last week the Sentinel-3C satellite has been successfully fuelled! The satellite ready for fuelling: The propellant handlers are checking the hydrazine drum: The hydrazine drum is hung from a weight cell to accurately measure the propellant mass transferred to the satellite tank: After filling the tank, it was pressurized to about 21 bars. In total…
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Satellite transfer to hazardous facility
This week the satellite has been transferred from the S5C satellite preparation cleanroom to the S5B hazardous processing facility (HPF): On its way, the satellite passed via the S5B airlock where the Vega-C fairing halves and the VESPA+R (dual launch adapter) were stored: The Sentinel-3C logo printed on the fairing: The VESPA+R upper part on…
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Completion of satellite standalone tests
This week the satellite standalone tests have been completed! It means that all satellite subystems have been successfully checked. The latest tests were the optical payload tests (OLCI and SLSTR instruments). Then the satellite mechanical and thermal finalization has been performed. The following picture shows the satellite in its current configuration, with also the satellite…
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Last Friday we visited the ZLV (Zone de Lancement Vega), which is the Vega-C launch pad. The mobile gantry where the launcher is going to be assembled is surrounded by 4 lightning protection towers. On the left, the platform is equipped with rails on which the mobile gantry is retracted a few hours before lift-off:…
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The satellite standalone tests have started this week to verify the various subystems of the satellite. So far some platform subsystems have been successfully tested: View of the clean room with manlift (on the left) and EGSE’s (Electrical Ground Support Equipment, on the right): It was time to take the first family pictures in front…
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Sentinel-3C has been switched ON!
The satellite and ground support equipment installation activities continued to prepare the satellite for testing: It was also time to install the Sentinel-3 roll-up banner in the viewing room: The satellite was then oriented in vertical position, lifted by a crane and weighed. Finally it was placed on the Vertical Installation Stand: On Friday 17th…
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Sentinel-3C installation in clean room
The S3C satellite arrived at the S5C satellite preparation facilities: The satellite container was placed in the airlock: After one day of thermal stabilisation the container was opened and the satellite was placed on the horizontal handling device: It was then transfered to the clean room: The satellite is now there, it is time to…
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Sentinel-3C arrival in Kourou
On 12th of July, the boat transporting Sentinel-3 and Flex satellites arrived in Kourou Pariacabo harbour! The boat entering the Kourou river: On Monday 13th of July the satellites and ground support equipment were unloaded from the boat and transported to the CSG (Centre Spatial Guyanais) launch base in the S5 buildings. Early team arrived…
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Excitement is in the air as the Sentinel-3C team proudly announces a major milestone —after years of meticulous development and rigorous testing, Sentinel-3C is officially on its way to Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana! Departure from TAS Cannes: MN Colibri boat at Nice harbour: Loading of satellite container inside boat: Boat departure from Nice…
