Spacecraft adaptor gets prepared for fligft

Good news: The Space Head Module (SHM) and the fairing, have now returned to the MIK building B. It is then assumed that the fit check on the launcher in the silo was positive and we get then closer to the encapsulation of the Spacecraft.

Below are the elements needed for this operation (from left to right) :

• platform A
  
• the complete adaptor (on a jig here)
  
• platform B (with the Gas Dynamic Shield in white)
• the fairing (seen for the first time)

The CryoSat-2 adaptor is made of 2 pieces

• the spacecraft adaptor (square)
  
• the launcher adaptor (circle)
  

In space, the separation of the spacecraft from the launcher will be done between these 2 elements by mean of four pyro bolts positioned in the four corners as showed below (but not installed yet)


The view below shows the very moment of the separation (between launcher and spacecraft adaptors) after activation of pyro bolts.
...as it was witnessed during the separation and shock test last July in IABG.



As you can see, after separation, the squared frame will stay on the spacecraft (SC) for the rest of the mission.
Therefore as for the SC, a thermal blanket called Multi Layer Insulation (MLI) needs to be installed on the SC adaptor. This work was performed today.

This is how the adaptor looks like after it got "dressed" for the flight.


Hope you can notice the difference!