BIT Hanging Out in the Sun (Pre-Compatibility)

Sunday was a big day for BIT. Starting in the morning, a big team was in for pre-compatibility tests. Before we fly, we will need to show that all our things work, and that they are compatible with NASA’s electronics for communication and balloon control. Pre-compatibility is a trial run to check for any problems before the final test. Overall it went quite well. One slightly sad note is that the old and loved launch vehicle, Tiny Tim, has been replaced due to needing increasingly frequent repairs. The lifts were smooth, but lacked a certain je ne sais quoi.

After the tests, we had our first clear night in weeks. This gave us an opportunity to finally test the telescope and guidance systems with real stars. The afternoon was spent preparing, and then the late shift spent the night testing.

Gondola outside

Late shift (aka B team) arrived to see this.

New Crane

Replacement for Tiny Tim, the old and much loved launch vehicle.

Taking down the broken basketball backboard

Thus begins a little side project

BIT on the move

Part of me is sad that it's not hanging from Tim. But this crane works very well.

Hanging in the air

Closer look at BIT

Poking at solar panel frame

To test levels of floppiness

Larry comes back in

He's the safety officer, so has to put up with us a lot

Guiding BIT back inside

Setting down on 4x4s.

So that the crane can be adjusted for going inside

Reaching inside

Back inside

Javier adjusts the final balance

Steven makes shiny covers for the port holes

Vy works on covering port holes too.

NASA water tower

As the sun sets

Sunset

Notice lack of clouds. We waited quite a while for such a night.

Scanning inside the highbay

Night shift.

Gathered around the warm glow of monitors, while BIT points.