The final flight software was checked out the day before the mating and
everything appears to be working. The payload adapter assembly was
fitted onto the bottom of the satellite, the thermal blankets attached
and all screws checked one last time (Photo 1). And finally, Sunsat was
ready. This historic moment was captured on film (flash, in this case)
as proof for all who has worked on Sunsat, previous and present, that it
is indeed reality! (photo 2)
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| Photo 1 | Photo 2 |
The next morning, 6'o clock, it was off to the launch tower (Space Launch Complex 2-West). Just to make sure we are on the right rocket, we searched for our logo on the side of the Delta and there it was! (Photo 3).
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| Photo 3 |
The mating process went relatively smoothly, compared to Orsted's
mating that took the whole day. (Photo 4 shows the Nasa engineers
fitting Sunsat to the payload fitting). Sunsat went onto one side of
the second stage booster, Orsted on the other and Argos on top. By noon
all was over and we had a chance for a final photo with Sunsat. (Photo
5) (Photo 6 shows both Sunsat and Orsted. Argos is just visible at the
top of the photo)
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| Photo 4 | Photo 5 | Photo 6 |
