Sentinel-2A at IABG’s environmental test facilities in Ottobrunn, Germany. Following its delivery in early August 2014, the satellite is being put through a six-month testing programme to ensure it is fit for launch. One of the first tasks was to mate the three-panel solar wing to the satellite and then open it fully. This operation was carried out on a special zero-g rig that cancels out the effect of gravity. Developed by ESA, Sentinel-2 is a two-satellite mission for Europe’s Copernicus programme. Airbus Defence and Space Germany (Friedrichshafen) is the prime contractor for the Sentinel-2 satellites, Airbus Defence and Space France is the prime contractor for the multispectral imagers and IABG provides satellite test facilities.