Compatible

Yesterday we successfully conducted out pre-flight compatibility test! This means attaching everything that will fly: all of CSBF’s little sensors, and the flight train, parachute, terminate package, etc. Then we hang off The Boss and drive a little away from the highbay so that radio signals are cleaner. While it hangs there for a few hours, we pretend it’s flying and make sure that everything works as expected. And, it turns out, things worked as expected.

Now, after a little more arts and crafts and touching up, we will be ready to fly. However, EBEX will fly before us, and we will not launch before the 20th. So, we will have a while to practice and test before launch.

Step one: out to the deck

Featuring Tristan

Climbing up the back

To switch from the crane to The Boss

Electronics team waits for their turn

The Boss picks us up

The Boss

The flight-train is fully laid out, with the spool hanging off the back

Pylons

Mark the Danger Zone

Steadying during liftoff

Pulling on BLAST's leash

Coffee time

Unplugged cable

Temporary source of commanding troubles

Compatiblilty tests happening

Can you see it?

Solar panels, and infrared sensor

All the extra things that CSBF will fly are attached

Ballast hopper

The semi-namesake of the blog

Back of the electronics cart

With all the basics a tech needs

Tattered Jolly Roger

Flown by the electronics cart. In defiance of maritime decency

Mylar self-portrait

BLAST is so shiny that I just can't resist

BLAST from many angles

The sun side: solar panels and shiny stuff

BLAST from many angles

Slighlty-less sun side. The few places where it isn't shiny just aren't filled in yet

BLAST from many angles

The anti-sun side. Uncovered so that things can cool

BLAST from many angles

The sun-better-not-get-here side. Otherwise it might be able to see into the scoop

Parachute box, etc.

Every single thing is tested

Coloured boxes

The landscape is very interesting today

Pre-flight compatibility panorama

Because the landscape was so interesting

One more of BLAST, before coming inside

Lead bricks

"Final" balance configuration

Weigh-in

4265lbs. 200lbs lighter than last time.