MSG Launch Diary - week 6
08 August 2002
We complete the electrical check and switch on the spacecraft after filling is completed successfully.
07 August 2002
We fuel MSG-1 with 365 kg of mono-methyl hydrazine.
05 - 06 August 2002
Filling the spacecraft with a nitrogen-tetroxide mix is finished with 603 kg of oxidiser.
02 August 2002
We prepare MSG-1 for fuelling with nitrogen tetroxide (MON-1) as the oxidiser.
01 August 2002
Helium tank pressurisation is completed, to 265 bar at 24.7 deg. C.
31 July 2002
We unload MSG-1 from its payload container and install it on the filling stand in the S5-A fuelling building.
30 July 2002
The satellite is installed in its payload container – the CCU2 (for Conteneur Charge Utile Ariane). We move the satellite from the S1-A building to S5-A fuelling building using a special transport.
The S5-A building is used for potentially dangerous operations involved in the preparation of bi-propellant spacecraft fuel. The transfer is done at night (19.30 to 22.00) to avoid the heat of the sun.
Break period: 02 – 29 July 2002
During this period, MSG-1 is in S1-A clean room. We charge the satellite's batteries every four days.