[meteorite-list] ExoMars 2016 Spacecraft Encapsulated Within Launcher Fairing

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2016 13:02:46 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <201603042102.u24L2krH013226_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://exploration.esa.int/mars/57517-exomars-2016-spacecraft-encapsulated-within-launcher-fairing/

ExoMars 2016 spacecraft encapsulated within launcher fairing
European Space Agency
03 March 2016

With less than two weeks until the launch of ExoMars 2016, preparations
are proceeding well and the spacecraft composite has now been encapsulated
within the launcher fairing at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Earlier this week the spacecraft composite, comprised of the Trace Gas
Orbiter and Schiaparelli, was mated with the launch vehicle adapter and
installed on top of the Breeze upper stage. Yesterday, 2 March, the Breeze
upper stage and spacecraft were encapsulated together within the two fairing
halves. Prior to the encapsulation, they were tilted horizontally and
the first fairing half was rolled underneath the spacecraft and Breeze,
on a track inside the cleanroom. The second fairing half was then lowered
into place by means of an overhead crane, encapsulating the payload.
Received on Fri 04 Mar 2016 04:02:46 PM PST