The journey of Sentinel-2C has begun!

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This week on 2nd July Sentinel-2C satellite left its home town Friedrichshafen by road, together with all the required GSE to support the launch campaign. Late that day, the convoy reached Bremen harbour where the Canopée was waiting to onboard this precious cargo (read more via the 3/7 Airbus press release link). Some lucky members of the ESA project team joined the Airbus team in Bremen on 3rd July to witness the loading activities.

From the upper deck …
… we observed the last operations of the harbour mobile crane to load the Nitrogen bottle rack through the opening of the lower deck.
Then, we went through the guts of the beast…
… to reach the lower deck compartment.
This very spacious area is fully dedicated to Sentinel-2C shipment.
The satellite container got well secured.
As were the 6 sea containers, bottle rack and lifting beam box.
Last look at the satellite through the container window.
Purge system installed, temperature and humidity are under control!
At the end of the activities, perfectly managed by all the logistic teams involved, we were happy to join the Airbus team for this family picture.
Then, the hatch of the lower deck compartment was closed, so that our shipment will remain protected from rain, sun, sea water and any big temperature variation (the lower deck being below sea level) during the trip to Kourou.

A few dates and figures: the Canopée will leave Bremen on 4th July and aim to St Nazaire-Montoir where it will pick-up our Vega launcher 4th stage (AVUM-A) before heading to Kourou. The trip takes around 15 days, with an average speed of 17~18 knots, corresponding to a default gas-oil consumption of around 20 tons per day, that thanks to the very innovative sail system (wind power assistance) will be reduced by 20 to 30%.

The 2 videos on the right side bar will give you an impression of the Canopée bridge and show you the check of the lifeboat release system. The adjustment (obviously) needed was successfully completed within the following hour.

Before leaving Bremen, we left Sentinel-2C and the Canopée in very good hands: on the bridge, Bahar and Sebastian from Airbus team who will experience a very special cruise. Safe trip to you both, and looking forward to see you again soon in Kourou!
A memorable day for us three…

Until its arrival in Kourou Pariacabo harbour around 19th July, you can track the Canopée location through the link provided top left of the page.

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