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.