Photo credit: Thales Alenia Space. But before MTG-I1 takes to the skies, Armand β and thousands of meteorologists, engineers, remote sensing scientists, training officers, and others who have helped turn the mission from blueprint to reality β will have to bear a few more heart-in-the-mouth moments. The company, together with OHB as major partner, is the main contractor on the MTG programme that will ultimately include four imager and two sounder satellites.
In its container, MTG-I1 is the size of a small bus, weighing around 20 tonnes the satellite alone weighs roughly kilogrammes. As an oversize load, the satellite necessitated a police escort to chaperone a convoy carrying it from Cannes to the port at Fos-sur-Mer, near Marseille, some kilometres away. To prepare MTG-I1 for the voyage, the spacecraft has been carefully packed into a shipping container that also serves as a cleanroom to minimise risks of the satellite coming into contact with contaminants that might damage delicate instruments.
But every component will play a vital role in ensuring that MTG-I1 has a successful launch. The MTG team is ready for almost every possible eventuality, with experts keeping a watchful eye on the conditions of the precious cargo during its long voyage.
Although the launch will only last a few minutes, the levels of stress on equipment during this time will be far beyond what we expect at sea. But there will be more exhilarating moments ahead. This will include a critical phase when we load propellants. Rocket fuel is of course highly flammable and guaranteeing the safety of people and equipment is paramount. With the operation of the satellite and follow-up missions such as a second imager satellite, a sounder satellite, and their replacements, the programme still has a long way to go.
Flight dynamics engineer Miguel Serrano has the challenging job of keeping a satellite on track. Long journey to the skies. Last Updated 01 November Published on 29 September Keeping an orbiting satellite on track is no easy feat Flight dynamics engineer Miguel Serrano has the challenging job of keeping a satellite on track.
