This Echo is READ ONLY !   NO Un-Authorized Messages Please!
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NASDA, Japan
2002/12/06

    Eight Days to Launch
-- 8 days before a launch --
=============================

We have only a week to launch the Advanced Earth Observing 
Satellite-II (ADEOS-II) by H-IIA Launch Vehicle No.4 (H-IIA F4).

On Dec. 6, the encapsulated ADEOS-II and microsatellites by the 
payload fairing were transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building 
(VAB), where H-IIA F4 operations were underway. A special transporter 
for encapsulated satellites consists of a trailer and air-conditioning 
equipment. During transportation, the environment inside a fairing is 
controlled by sending clean air through an orange duct that connects 
the air-con equipment and fairing.

After being transported to VAB, the encapsulated satellites were slung 
up to the top of H-IIA F4 to be loaded onto the second stage.

ADEOS-II final launch preparations started on Oct. 30, and those of 
the microsatellites in early to mid November in the Spacecraft and 
Fairing Assembly Building (SFA). H-IIA F4 launch site operations began 
on Nov. 2 at VAB. Today, the payloads and launch vehicle that had been 
prepared in separate facilities for a month were finally mated.

ADEOS-II/H-IIA F4 launch will be reported live through the internet 
and large vision screens in NASDA offices and the National Museum of 
Emerging Science and Innovation. Please watch the event.

 - End of File -
================

---