29 Nov 1999 13:15

Fairing is hoisted to the summit of the Final Assembly Building	Fairing is being lowered over the XMM spacecraft

The two half shells of the fairing had been assembled at the ground level of the Final Assembly Building. The fairing mounting was managed by Gilles Triay, Arianespace.

Before being hoisted to the summit of the building, the fairing had also received the new XMM mission logo, a design using the winning entries of the XMM "Draw me a telescope" competition. However, pictures of the logo will only be revealed on launch day!

	Fairing being placed in position
Fairing is being lowered over the XMM spacecraft	The first of 420 bolts used to fasten the fairing

As the fairing was gently lowered - technically called the closure - it was time for many of the XMM Project team, including Project manager Robert Lainé, to say "goodbye" to their baby. Placing and fastening the fairing took some three hours, finishing at 20:00 local time.

Watching the closure, Robert Lainé, Gerard Melchior (ESA HQ) and Gilles Triay (Arianespace)

Party Time

Earlier in the day, Arianespace had offered a drink to all those involved in the XMM campaign. The gathering took place at the Ariane 5 launch zone (ELA-3), at the extremity of one of the newly extended flame trenches which evacuate the exhausts of Ariane 5 at liftoff.

The extended flame trench, showing on left the water tower that releases millions of gallons of water on the launch table at liftoff to attenuate noise and shock waves. On the right is one of the lightening masts.

A 'Ti-Punch' and group photo - all wearing brown ESA cap - in the shade of the flame trench.