14 DAY TRIAL // The European Space Agency (ESA) has taken another step towards preparing its twin Galileo satellites for launch. These spacecraft – the first two of a new satnav constellation – were encapsulated in their payload fairing on Wednesday, October 12.
This marks a critically-important milestone in preparing the two spacecraft for an October 20 launch attempt. The vehicles are mated to a common dispenser unit, which will send them in opposite directions once they reach the correct orbit.
Both Galileo satellites are to be loaded aboard a Fregat-MT upper stage, which will itself be attached to a three-stage Soyuz ST-B rocket. The delivery system will take off from the Kourou Spaceport, in French Guiana, South America.
Today, October 13, the Fregat-MT upper stage will be mated with the rocket at the Soyuz launch site, via a mobile tower. Then experts will have to conduct a last battery of tests before confirming that the mission is a go.