ALE has transported the 12-tonne satellite, SAOCOM 1A, for Argentina’s Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales.
The satellite, which will be launched in a SpaceX rocket, was transported from its fabrication yard to Bariloche Airport in Argentina, where it was loaded onto an AN-142 operated by Volga-Dnepr.
The transport solution involved a convoy of over 12 vehicles, including four semi-trailers and two trailers, as well as civilian, police and military escorts.
Upon arrival at the airport, ALE lifted the satellite onto the skidding system for loading onto the Volga-Dnepr aircraft.
“Despite weighing just 12 tonnes, which is relatively low for the typical loads we move, there was a huge amount of pressure, both politically and economically, as the satellite is so high profile,” explained Raul Anriquez, ALE’s project manager.
Once the rocket is launched, ALE will then perform the heavy transport of ancillary equipment within the USA and perform the maritime transportation of remaining components back to Chile and overland to Argentina.
It is expected to be launched in the Falcon X rocket, belonging to Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, by October 2018.
Once the rocket is launched, ALE will then perform the heavy transport of ancillary equipment within the USA and coordinate the maritime transportation of remaining components back to Chile and overland to Argentina.
