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. |