Monday Monday...
"...so good to me!" And a good Monday it is. Spacecraft fueling operations were completed on schedule and without incident. This is a major milestone on the launch campaign calendar, because it signals the end of satellite stand-alone testing, and the approach of joint operations. It was also another chance to use many of the Lockheed Martin and SES Americom supplies, those supplies being tri-tip, roast beef, chicken wings, ham, etc. As usual, the post-fueling gathering at the Polyot Hotel was a huge success.
This is an exciting time for all teams assembled here at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It's time to mate the spacecraft to the upper stage. It will now be mounted to the payload adapter assembly, the PLA. This SC/PLA assembly will then be lifted onto the Breeze M main engine. After a host of electrical testing verifications, the halves of the payload fairing (PLF) will be installed, completing the assembly of what is known as the Upper Stage (US). This is the ultimate in joint operations as ILS, KhSC and Lockheed Martin CSS personnel work closely together to ensure proper handling and mating of the hardware.
With the end of spacecraft stand-alone operations, and the successful mating of the SC to the PLA, it is time to say goodbye to the mechanical team from Lockheed Martin CSS. Congratulations to all of them for their professionalism, their work ethics and their successes to date. But as we wave goodbye to them, we welcome the Lockheed bus specialists, the electrical team, as they come back to the cosmodrome for the final leg of satellite testing prior to the launch. Launch minus 12 days, L-12, and counting. Stay tuned.
