MIK gets prepared

The check out room of the site 31 is now configured to perform the dry run on Friday 18th.
Note the 2 seats behind for the restricted audience :-)


On the 1st row, there is the central position position from where

• the Spacecraft Countdown Responsible (Bill)

• and his deputy (Klaus)

will run the show.

On their right, the translator will use the voice loop with the Launch Command Center (LCC) on site 111 (under Russian Control),


On their left, in the corner, will sit the Spacecraft Operations Team, namely Karl and Gerhard.


They are responsible to send commands via full autonomously controlled Automated Procedures (AP) to the Spacecraft during the count down in order to switch it from OFF to Launch mode. They will also support the SC Count Down Responsible reporting on SC the status as well as possible anomalies.

The screen below shows the present status of the spacecraft as it appears to this team. Other screens next to it report the status of received telemetry.


All sections of the Count Down procedure needing the support of the spacecraft operations team are being repeated since the beginning of the week in order to run the rehearsal as smooth as possible tomorrow.

Below 2 pictures shot this morning:
The team preparing for the dress rehearsal


... and polishing the last details to make sure that everybody is aware.