Satellite preparation

Satellite preparation is a long-term task requiring several stages. Many different players are involved between the signing of a contract and placing the satellite in orbit. At every stage, CNES plays a major role to ensure an optimal configuration.

Upstream preparation of the satellite campaign

It all starts with a launch contract being signed between a satellite operator or manufacturer and Arianespace. As soon as the contract is signed, a Mission Director is appointed about 12 months before the satellite is due to arrive in French Guiana. Together with the Director of Operations he explains to the customer how the work will be organised at the CSG. He then invites the customer to visit the centre and inspect the facilities and resources that will be available to him.

The customer then draws up an expression of needs covering satellite preparation and launch. This document is sent to CNES/CSG for a project feasibility analysis and is then sent on to Arianespace. Arianespace in turn becomes a customer of CNES/CSG and expresses its own needs. All these formal procedures are necessary so that the price of the launch can be calculated.

All the players involved can then go to work :

ESA as owner of the launch facilities
Arianespace as customer
CNES/CSG as provider of the necessary technical resources

The satellite then arrives in French Guiana with the necessary teams and equipment. The customer is responsible for getting the satellite to French Guiana, where CNES/CSG takes over for transporting it to the Space Centre.

At no time does CNES/CSG intervene on the customer’s equipment, but it does perform such services as permit the customer to work on its satellite.

Customer support resources

The CNES/CSG Customers upport Department assists Arianespace and its customers by providing them with satellite preparation facilities, resources and equipment, such as guaranteed power supplies, air conditioning, hoisting systems and tools, fluids, telecommunications, equipment for personal protection, optical and video equipment and measuring devices. It also provides such services as freight forwarding and the transport of the satellite and its corresponding equipment, analysis of the satellite’s fluids and propellants, support for the fuelmen, telecommunications, optical and video services and of course ground safety and protection.

It is difficult to quantify precisely the human resources engaged in these satellite customer support departments as they are not all on satellite campaigns fulltime. It is clear, however, that for each satellite campaign the 180 staff of the customer's support department ensure :

the running and maintenance of the satellite preparation facilities (EPCU);
support services for Arianespace customers during preparation of their payloads in the facilities;
running and maintenance of laboratories specialising in chemistry, fluids and gases, metrology and electrical parameters;
handling, transport and customs operations for satellite parts;
management and maintenance of the pool of vehicles and specialised transport or handling equipment;
coordination of all support services.

Stages leading up to satellite positioning

The stages of satellite preparation are as follows :

Satellite electrical and mechanical testing phase as well as testing the tightness of the propulsion system. The satellite is connected to a test bench so that the customer can verify all the electrical and mechanical functions.
Fuelling and pressurisation phase. The customer brings in its own teams for filling the satellite; the Space Centre provides the protective equipment and the necessary logistics (trucks, dressing rooms, etc.).
Weighing testing phase.
Phase for satellite integration in Ariane 5.
The final phase is the launch countdown, during which the customer carries out its final checks up to 10 minutes before lift-off. At that point, the satellite’s electrical power source switches to the onboard batteries.