ESA Science & Technology - SMART-1 Launch Phase

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SMART-1 Launch Phase

On 15 July 2003, the cargo plane carrying SMART-1 with its flight container arrived at the Cayenne airport in French Guyana. This marked the start of the SMART-1 launch campaign. The below overview lists key events of the mission during the last months up to launch.

15 July 2003 - Start of Launch Campaign in Kourou

After its arrival at Cayenne airport, SMART-1 was transferred by truck to Kourou, where the spacecraft was removed from its transport container. An initial inspection was carried out to verify SMART-1's condition after transport.

Journal: Launch Campaign Gets Underway


Arrival at Cayenne	Unloading SMART-1	Spacecraft checks

August 2003 - Simulation Runs of Flight Operations

Journal: Simulation runs at Flight Operations Centre, ESOC Darmstadt

13 August 2003 - Launch on Hold

The initial launch date of 28 August 2003, 23:04 UT, was pushed back to allow necessary verification checks on one of the two commercial satellites that were also scheduled to be launched on the same flight as SMART-1.

News: SMART-1 Launch Delayed