Will Be Boosted From Vandenberg AFB In Late January

The PAZ Earth observation satellite built by Airbus in Madrid has been transported to Vandenberg AFB in California, where it will be launched on January 30th, 2018.

Airbus engineers loaded the 3,100 pound satellite into a container that protected it during its journey to the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. In addition to the satellite, the team also transported the electrical and mechanical ground support equipment plus all the testing and conditioning devices needed to prepare the satellite for its launch. Three trucks transported the satellite and its equipment to the Spanish Air Force Base at Torrejón de Ardóz, where it was be loaded into the air freighter that will to it to the United States.

A team of 15 Airbus space technicians and engineers traveled to Vandenberg to receive the satellite and the equipment. Test systems were assembled to check the satellite’s health, and batteries have been installed prior to fueling when the spacecraft will be ready for launch.  The team will also install a bespoke payload adapter to integrate the satellite onto the launcher.

(Image provided with Airbus news release)

FMI: www.airbus.com