MSG Launch Diary - week 2
25-26 May 2002
No work during the weekend! The team uses this leisure time to visit Cayenne or to relax on the beach. After four days of continuous and heavy rain (even for the teams from ESA's research and technology centre in the Netherlands, ESTEC, who are used to Dutch weather, it was too much), the sun manages to show itself again.
Some team members travel to Montsinery, a village about 30 km away from Kourou. Others stay here to go "quad biking" on four-wheel motorbikes in a jungle track. I pity the laundry service!!!!!!!
24 May 2002
Tanks pressurisation continues with Thermal Stabilisation, Fill Drain Valves (FDV) leakage measurement and tanks depressurisation. This is a somewhat hazardous activity because the tanks could explode under pressure if there is a flaw in the welding.
At the end of day, the preliminary tests results are successful and the go-ahead is given for next activities.
23 May 2002
The first spacecraft switch-on is done without a problem. This allows us to start pressurising the tanks with helium gas (133 bar) in order to check that no damage occurred during the transport. This hazardous activity required the go-ahead from CSG Safety Officer, and was perfectly synchronised with the different parties.
22 May 2002
For the hazardous activities foreseen during the pressure test set validation some blast shields have been installed around the satellite to protect the operators and the Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE).
The first of a long series of tests of the MSG-1 is successfully been completed ahead of schedule. The EGSE validation is going well, the main set is ready, and the first satellite switch-on is expected tomorrow.
21 May 2002
Preparations for the pressure test validation are still in progress, as well as the set-up and validation of the Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE). This consists of checks on the lines and to ensure circuit continuity, the lack of interference from other sources, and related tests.
Inspection of spare flight hardware is finished. The spare-flight hardware is the equipment that can be used on the spacecraft in case of equipment failure during the preparation in Kourou. For instance, we have eight solar-array panels installed on the spacecraft, and another spare pair in case something happens during integration.
20 May 2002
Despite the party the night before, one of the MSG team members performs the heroic feat of participating in an Olympic-distance triathlon that was held in Kourou. Well done, Rob!
