On Friday morning, the Operations Readiness Meeting was held in ESOC. All the contributors on the “Ground Segment” side presented their preparation status for the launch of Sentinel-2C: all the lights are green!

A bit later in the day, on CSG side, the propulsion leak tests were completed in S1A and the results assessed right away with our experts: all were very good. Green light for fueling! We will transfer the satellite to the S3B building on Monday.

In S3B, the fueling equipment has been set-up as well as the COTE2 (our back-up power and data link equipment for the launch). COTE2 is also temporary installed in S3B to support the fueling activities next week, then it will move back to the launch pad to ensure redundancy.

In S3B again, a first fairing inspection took place at the end of the day. All the launcher elements are now available and being prepared for the combined operations.

At the launch pad, the COTE1 (our nominal power and data link equipment for the launch) has been set-up. The umbilical lines verification up to the top of the launcher is being re-performed, to validate end-to-end the launch set-up. This activity will be completed on Monday.

In the evening, we got confirmation from Arianespace that the Test Review Board after Launcher synthesis control test was conclusive. Their next step is to give the go ahead for fueling of the launcher 4th stage, and that is expected on Monday.

Yes, all will continue on Monday!! It means that the team can now enjoy their first 2-day weekend of the launch campaign. Really well deserved, and that was the ultimate good news of this Friday, among all the others.