Mating of the Herschel spacecraft and the Ariane 5 ECA launcher
On 30 April 2009 the Herschel spacecraft was mated on top of the SYLDA 5 support structure at the top of the Ariane 5 ECA launcher inside the final assembly building (Bâtiment d'Assemblage Final, or BAF).
The launcher adapter ring which is integrated to the base of the Herschel spacecraft's service module is being bolted to the top of the SYLDA 5 by personnel on the movable access platform, which surrounds the launcher at the top of the SYLDA 5.
The Herschel spacecraft now stands over the Planck spacecraft that was mated with the launcher a week earlier and is encapsulated by the SYLDA 5.
Last Update: 1 September 2019