Fairing

Yesterday, handling of the PayLoad Fairing (PLF= Part located at the upper tip of the rocket) permitted to get nice views of this element.

PLF will be mounted on the top of the black platforms A+B (already described in
Cryosat-2 fairing) and will cover the Gas Dynamic Shield (GDS) in white below.
The GDS covers the Spacecraft.

Here under is a nice view of the PLF after it was lifted and laid on the trolley used for its transport to the Silo.
PLF is still partly covered with the protection material needed for the road transport to the Silo.

The inside of the fairing (2 pictures below) shows the configuration of pyro elements that will:

• activate the separation springs (and eject the fairing from the launcher)
• split/tear the fairing in 2 pieces (pyros are located along the string in the middle)
  

These two events will take place simultaneously, and PLF separation will occur at Launch + 5mn 9 sec precisely. Then, the fairing will fall into the Indian Ocean.
Inside the PLF during lifting.

Inside the PLF when laying on its jig.

Here under is a closer view on the separation springs seen from the outside.
Note some red tag items still to be removed before flight at the silo.

The PLF will be transported to the Silo with same convoy as the spacecraft and will be integrated there. Therefore, there are unfortunately no pictures of the fully integrated "rocket head'' i.e. Platforms +PLF.