Mega launch day mega post!
I start with some documentation of BLAST’s final flight configuration (which while a little boring is part of the reason people indulge my taking photos of everything). Then we go through our pre-launch preparations. Later, I’m allowed out to the flightline to document the assembly and inflation process there—much closer than I’d been before. Finally there is the launch itself, which went off cleanly.
A big thanks to the CSBF crew for all their hard work.
![Under the telescope Under the telescope • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324405317/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8218/8324405317_039b067f6a_m.jpg)
Under the telescope
Photobombed by Tyr
![Under the "under the telescope" Under the "under the telescope" • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325462470/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8499/8325462470_003246f0c8_m.jpg)
Under the "under the telescope"
aka the SIP
![Anti-sun side Anti-sun side • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324406223/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8224/8324406223_cc5c03b2a0_m.jpg)
Anti-sun side
Featuring ACS crate, computer, and lead bricks for balance
![The central nervous system of BLAST The central nervous system of BLAST • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325463322/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8492/8325463322_e6b1f6831c_m.jpg)
The central nervous system of BLAST
Attitude Control System, and flight computers
![The anti-sun pyramid The anti-sun pyramid • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324407149/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8497/8324407149_02314c8677_m.jpg)
The anti-sun pyramid
With elevation motor control, and roll side star tracker
![Cookie Monsters Cookie Monsters • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325464852/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8500/8325464852_debc9e9610_m.jpg)
Cookie Monsters
Plural
![FInal inner frame balance FInal inner frame balance • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324408805/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8223/8324408805_3db0e8f3f2_m.jpg)
FInal inner frame balance
Note little brick hiding in top right
![The eyes and optical nerve of BLAST The eyes and optical nerve of BLAST • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325466036/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8356/8325466036_7f4cda3f69_m.jpg)
The eyes and optical nerve of BLAST
![Inside the covered side Inside the covered side • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324410205/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8211/8324410205_ccb3d09751_m.jpg)
Inside the covered side
Batteries and solar charge controllers
![Evil bunny heat sink Evil bunny heat sink • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325467422/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8363/8325467422_2574b13421_m.jpg)
Evil bunny heat sink
As seen through the window for plugging the solar panels in
![Rear of the SIP Rear of the SIP • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324411177/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8496/8324411177_7906792988_m.jpg)
Rear of the SIP
![Pump hose Pump hose • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325468464/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8500/8325468464_ca3fd7351b_m.jpg)
Pump hose
While we roll out, we still need to apply vacuum to the cryostat's pumped helim stage
![Front of the towards-sun side Front of the towards-sun side • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324412309/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8501/8324412309_a32c1a9572_m.jpg)
Front of the towards-sun side
With mylar covering, and solar panel struts
![Roll star camera Roll star camera • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325469828/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8355/8325469828_82a556e3fd_m.jpg)
Roll star camera
And elevation motor controller
![All of BLAST, one last time All of BLAST, one last time • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325470494/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8491/8325470494_65eb37fa77_m.jpg)
All of BLAST, one last time
In the highbay that is...for at least this year...
![Inner frame balance pump and lock pin Inner frame balance pump and lock pin • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325470998/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8220/8325470998_c901e3ce6a_m.jpg)
Inner frame balance pump and lock pin
![Antennas and pivot Antennas and pivot • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325471416/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8222/8325471416_60c99a81eb_m.jpg)
Antennas and pivot
![The shutter, just in between telescope and cryostat The shutter, just in between telescope and cryostat • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325471970/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8218/8325471970_fc06af1491_m.jpg)
The shutter, just in between telescope and cryostat
![Taping on the last shiny triangle Taping on the last shiny triangle • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324415825/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8217/8324415825_256e4618a3_m.jpg)
Taping on the last shiny triangle
Now that we don't need to access inside any more
![Serial port hub Serial port hub • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324416371/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8503/8324416371_9478bf323d_m.jpg)
Serial port hub
![One more of ACS and computers One more of ACS and computers • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325473636/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8356/8325473636_6e0db0d29d_m.jpg)
One more of ACS and computers
From the other side. I'm particularly attached to these things
![Checklists Checklists • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324417435/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8357/8324417435_0df72b03c9_m.jpg)
Checklists
Gotta have checklists
![Bags on electronics Bags on electronics • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325474776/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8359/8325474776_38c0a957a6_m.jpg)
Bags on electronics
For ascent through the atmosphere. And possibly out of superstition
![More electronics bags More electronics bags • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325475422/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8073/8325475422_97fae9957f_m.jpg)
More electronics bags
![Signing BLAST Signing BLAST • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324418979/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8079/8324418979_6a8ce0c182_m.jpg)
Signing BLAST
As a token of "So long, for now"
![Final tape up. Need more tape Final tape up. Need more tape • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325476502/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8358/8325476502_f380a08b57_m.jpg)
Final tape up. Need more tape
Group action shot
![Elio signs Elio signs • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324420805/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8504/8324420805_e08b33ccc2_m.jpg)
Elio signs
![Balance bag Balance bag • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325478272/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8498/8325478272_a9da14a31a_m.jpg)
Balance bag
Everything a body needs
![Rollout Rollout • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325478772/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8500/8325478772_4221c6b815_m.jpg)
Rollout
Goodbye highbay
![Tyr connects the solar power Tyr connects the solar power • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325479292/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8363/8325479292_fbf61eb410_m.jpg)
Tyr connects the solar power
![Signatures Signatures • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324423097/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8223/8324423097_30b241fe83_m.jpg)
Signatures
Tristan was napping after his schedule marathon, but got on at the last minute
![Window taped Window taped • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324423705/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8223/8324423705_feb6a089f1_m.jpg)
Window taped
Now everything is taped for flight
![White tape on sun sensor cables White tape on sun sensor cables • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325480844/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8359/8325480844_37c04e8d44_m.jpg)
White tape on sun sensor cables
Because balloon payloads need lots of white duct tape
![FInal bagging FInal bagging • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324424677/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8358/8324424677_095e52daa1_m.jpg)
FInal bagging
These ones were semi-final until some end-of-checklists steps were completed
![Waiting Waiting • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325481848/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8217/8325481848_5dd4069623_m.jpg)
Waiting
![Obligatory hanging off The Boss shot Obligatory hanging off The Boss shot • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324425847/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8498/8324425847_0d66a66515_m.jpg)
Obligatory hanging off The Boss shot
![Yellow stands Yellow stands • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325483052/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8504/8325483052_b455c33de2_m.jpg)
Yellow stands
For extra support while installing the ballast underneath
![Final outer frame balance check Final outer frame balance check • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325483696/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8492/8325483696_416084940e_m.jpg)
Final outer frame balance check
![Obligatory The Boss plus BLAST plus highbay shot Obligatory The Boss plus BLAST plus highbay shot • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324428097/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8502/8324428097_4b2b9528b9_m.jpg)
Obligatory The Boss plus BLAST plus highbay shot
I'm almost out of obligatory shots, the rest will be launch specific
![Flight train laid down The Boss Flight train laid down The Boss • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325485612/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8075/8325485612_5a1605e687_m.jpg)
Flight train laid down The Boss
![Pump hose Pump hose • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324429333/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8076/8324429333_7591c07deb_m.jpg)
Pump hose
Will be connected to a pump on The Boss until just before launch
![Ballast hopper Ballast hopper • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325486654/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8223/8325486654_33caf38af3_m.jpg)
Ballast hopper
![Robin Robin • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324430495/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8362/8324430495_b15f08586a_m.jpg)
Robin
On sun sensor perch
![Parachute basket Parachute basket • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325488108/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8221/8325488108_bf7cd4a54d_m.jpg)
Parachute basket
On parachute basket sled
![Another checkout Another checkout • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324432123/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8212/8324432123_c2d1498334_m.jpg)
Another checkout
Make sure things are still okay while hanging
![Spool sled Spool sled • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8324432815/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8353/8324432815_5966f1b0d6_m.jpg)
Spool sled
Very important
![The spool The spool • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325490202/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8498/8325490202_04007421a0_m.jpg)
The spool
![Taking BLAST for a walk Taking BLAST for a walk • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/8325490614/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm9.static.flickr.com/8504/8325490614_592fd6c2dd_m.jpg)
Taking BLAST for a walk
Fantastic Pictures! Thank you very much! What a great event! Almost felt as if we were there.
This looks cool. (literarily and figuratively).
Steve! You’ve done it again! How would I know about the Robin, the bunny, the signatures, the bagging, the parachute basket, the final rainbow filling tubes, the fire in the balloon? 131 Thank Yous!
Elio! We’re very proud of you!!!! We love you so much and we wish you a wonderful new year!!!!
Elio you’re simply the best! We are very proud of you…
How do the Mega Passes work? We are going to the Georgia National Fair in Perry in October and we have a family of 4, 2 adtlus and 2 children ages 5 and 3. would we need to buy a separate mega pass for each of us? We were planning to come on a night for armbands but my husband is active duty Military and the only day we can come is 10/6 or 10/7 and we were looking for ways to save money and still let our kids have a nice time. do you know yet how many tickets on average each ride will require?