Successful Launch Readiness Review ahead of the launch of Herschel and Planck
13 May 2009
The launcher for Herschel and Planck has been declared ready for launch following the successful conclusion of the Launch Readiness Review, RAL (Revue d'Aptitude au Lancement), held on 9 May and the close-out review held on 12 May. The launch from the European Spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana, is scheduled for 14 May 2009.The Launch Readiness Review, chaired by Didier Aubin, Ariane Production Programme Manager, and in the presence of representatives from the Herschel/Planck project from ESA and Industry, was held at the Centre Spatial Guyannais in Kourou, French Guiana.
Following detailed presentations from experts responsible for the launcher itself to a board, chaired by the Arianespace Central and Technical Director, the final campaign activities for the launcher have been released. In addition, the launch base was declared ready for a launch on 14 May with a launch window opening at 13:12 UTC/15:12 CEST.
The Launch Readiness Review is organised by Arianespace to examine the progress of the launch campaign and status of the launcher and the launch base before the start of the final chronology.
A close-out RAL was held on the morning of 12 May. The successful outcome of this review means that formal authorisation by Arianespace has been given for a launch on 14 May 2009.