“This is an emotional moment, after a year of intense testing activity,” comments Paolo Martino, ESA’s lead Hera system engineer.

“It feels like a huge accomplishment to have finally concluded the test process because there is always a lot of tension involved in testing, you never be quite sure everything will go to plan. But the best is yet to come, in the shape of the launch itself.”

The trio of spacecraft were transported overnight to Cologne airport in Germany, where they will be flown to Cape Canaveral in the USA this evening for launch by Space X Falcon 9 in early October.

ESA’s Hera team witnessed the car-sized spacecraft’s departure along with personnel from European Test Services and prime contractor OHB.