We successfully completed all our tests early today and are now just waiting on the winds to die down before heading to the launch pad. At that point it'll be ~2hrs before launch, still with the possibility of being canceled. More then...
Well, the winds are good and we've just gone out to the launch pad (1.30p NZT). Expect 2 more hours for ballooning stuff: laying it out, filling it up, etc. and then weather will tell.
Things are looking up... especially now that I've had a nap!
Also, for those interested, everyone else's Thurs flight out is now delayed until Fri at 4a (NZT), so they'll have a little more time for packing, if weather allows and needs be.
In the meantime.....
And it's away at ~4.30p NZT! I hope you got to see some of it!
It was a pretty much perfect launch. The balloon inflated, they released it and it made a deep note as it caught the wind, then the payload just lifted off the pin and everything floated gently into the blue sky.
Now we wait for it to reach float altitude (2-5hrs) before turning on the instrument and starting our science tuning.
2 comments:
So when I go to the NASA site and see that big crane/truck thing changing positions and people walking around I'm seeing you guys doing balloon stuff?
yep! that was us doing the launch!
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