Mars Express launch campaign is underway

The Mars Express launch campaign has begun in Baikonur with the arrival to the cosmodrome of the probe and associated equipment with two cargo planes on 20 and 22 March, 2003. The Starsem and ESA operational teams have been deployed in Baikonur, in order to receive the spacecraft and start the activities in accordance with the Launch Campaign Master Schedule.

The Cosmodrome Readiness Review (CRR) has confirmed the Baikonur facilities readiness to support all planned activities and approved Starsem's and ESA's organization within the framework of the launch campaign, as well as the operational documentation.

The launch campaign activities are progressing smoothly, with respect of the main operations milestones. The Mars Express probe and the Beagle lander are currently in the Starsem Payload Processing Facility in order to perform autonomous tests. The next step will be the Beagle integration onto the Mars Express spacecraft prior to the S/C transfer to the Hazardous Processing Facility for filling operations.