MODIS Meetings - May 1999

Photos of Terra Spacecraft Prelaunch Preparations
Presented by Kevin Grady at the MODIS Science Team Meeting

The Terra Spacecraft was transported from Valley Forge to Dover AFB by truck on April 15, 1999. The truck was then loaded onto a C-5 aircraft on April 15 and flown to Vandenberg AFB. After arriving at Vandenberg AFB on April 16th, the spacecraft was unloaded and moved into a clean-room facility to undergo prelaunch testing. The pictures below were presented by Kevin Grady to illustrate the prelaunch preparations of the Terra (EOS AM-1) spacecraft at Vandenberg AFB, CA.

Select the thumb nail image to view the medium-sized image or select the text caption/ link for the full (original) -sized image. (Note: Most medium-sized images are approximately 100Kb and are best suited for a smaller monitor. Most full-sized images are approximately 200Kb and are best suited for a larger monitor.)
	Unloading the EOS trailer from the Hercules C-5 aircraft at Vandenberg AFB, CA (April 16, 1999).
	Trailer being prepared to pass into clean-room facility through temporary air lock.
	Lateral, horizontal view of Terra (EOS AM-1) Spacecraft being brought into clean-room facility on air suspension pad.
	Angled, horizontal view of Terra (EOS AM-1) Spacecraft being brought into clean-room facility on air suspension pad.
	View of Terra Spacecraft High Gain Antenna
	Slightly distant, northeast exposure of Terra Spacecraft in vertical position mounted on TAP (Three-Axis Positioning) device.
	Close-up, northeast exposure of Terra Spacecraft in vertical position mounted on TAP device.
	Close-up, northwest exposure of Terra Spacecraft in vertical position mounted on TAP device.
	Northwest exposure of Terra Spacecraft being prepared for/undergoing propellant leak test (helium signature leak test)
	Northwest exposure of Terra Spacecraft after completion of propellant leak test. Propellant leak test successful!
	East exposure of Terra Spacecraft after completion of propellant leak test. Propellant leak test successful! Battery wake-up and conditioning completed.