National Aeronautics and Space Administration

After installing the nose fairing on the spacecraft and third stage. There are a few small holes in the fairing, to allow access. The XRS team needs access so we can monitor the temperatures inside the dewar, and load it up with superfluid liquid helium at the last possible moment (12 hours before launch). The blue grid is a frame for installing the fairing, and will be removed before launch.

Third Stage with ASTRO-E Test and Assembly At the Launch Site Our Access Hole