SMART-1 is lowered onto the adapter

30 July. Preparations for Flight 162. SMART-1 is lowered onto its cone-shaped adapter that will serve as the interface with the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. This action photo clearly shows the adapter's four springs, which will be compressed under the weight of SMART-1. During the mission, these springs will provide the separation "push" for SMART-1 when the satellite is released from Ariane 5.