![]() | Launch of the Solar Experiment. As far as I can tell it's called the Solar Bolometric Imager (SBI)... but they don't seem to have a website, the best I can find is this. |
![]() | Ditto. |
![]() | Getting closer to the launch. On the right is the telescope hanging from the Mobile Launch Vehicle. The payload is attached to a parachute which is stretched out (red). The top of the parachute, in turn, is attached to the balloon. |
![]() | Another view. The balloon is held for fill by the roller truck. Behind the roller truck is the helium tanker. |
![]() | BLASTers watching the launch. |
![]() | Filling the balloon. Here you can see clearly the roller truck and helium tanker. |
![]() | The Mobile Launch Vehicle and payload. |
![]() | A survey of the launch site. |
![]() | The balloon again. |
![]() | BLASTers watching the launch. |
![]() | BLASTers watching the launch. |
![]() | Getting ready to release the balloon. |
![]() | A small, black test balloon (top right) is launched to test wind conditions. |
![]() | About to be launched. |
![]() | Launch. |
![]() | A movie of launch. |
![]() | Another movie of launch. This one sort of gets off track near payload release, because I kind of get distracted by the collar releasing and almost landing on the launch vehicle... |
![]() | Ascent. |
![]() | Ascent. |
![]() | Ascent. |
![]() | Ascent. |
![]() | Ascent. |
![]() | Ascent. |
![]() | Disappearing into the clouds. |
![]() | Disappearing into the clouds. |
![]() | Josh and Gaelen working on thermometry. |
![]() | Jeff modifies the bias generator board. |
![]() | Enzo modifies the BLAST Bus Controller board. |
![]() | Jeff on the gondola doing, erm, something. |
![]() | Blazej mylarising the scoop. |
![]() | Warm nitrogen venting during initial cool-down. |
![]() | The bottom of the chin covered in mylar. |
![]() | Matt forks more unneeded stuff into storage in the other hangar. |
![]() | Routing more thermometry. |
![]() | Gaelen, Blazej and Josh working on the gondola. |
![]() | Another 180 seconds of high-bay life. |
![]() | Routing more thermometers. |
![]() | Blazej and Josh putting mylar over the gap between the scoop and the inner frame. |
![]() | Josh putting mylar over the gap between the scoop and the inner frame. |
![]() | Mark and Jeff leak check the dewar while Enzo checks bolometer signals. |
![]() | Ed working on Star Camera code, wearing his Chaos Toque. |
![]() | Ed working on Star Camera code, wearing his Chaos Toque. |
![]() | It's not a step but it is the phone table. |