Herschel and Planck on the launch pad
Date: 13 May 2009
Satellite: Planck and Herschel
Depicts: Ariane 5 ECA launcher
Location: Ariane launch pad, Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, French Guiana
Copyright: ESA-CNES-Arianespace / Optique Vidéo du CSG - P. Baudon
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On 13 May 2009, the Ariane 5 ECA launcher, with the Herschel and Planck spacecraft under its fairing on top, was rolled out on its launch table to the Ariane launch pad at the European spaceport in Kourou.
This view shows the launcher after arrival and installation at the launch pad. The two masts seen on either side of the launcher are lightning masts (there are four in total) that allow launches without being constrained by lightning conditions.
In the lower centre of the image, under the base of the launch table, the opening of the concrete jet deflector for the main cryogenic stage exhaust can be seen.
Last Update: 1 September 2019
