Friday was a marginal launch opportunity. We arrived a little before noon to get everything ready and do some “final” systems checks. Excitement and hopes were high, group photos were taken, I’s dotted and T’s crossed. We proceeded as far as taking BIT out to the launch pad, hoping for a safe gap in the weather. Sadly, there was too much chance of a storm to risk laying out the balloon and proceeding with launch. Late in they day, BIT was brought back to the highbay. To try again another day.
Mathew poses with BIT
For what could have been the last time
Richard perfroms some much-needed brain surgery
Ready to leave
Changing cranes
Figurehead/handle
Multi-purpose
Leaving the highbay
More changing cranes
Joe on top
Looking on
Distortedly
Installing fake solar panels
No power needed, but want to check that having extra mass/sail is okay
Final balance check
With everything installed
Finished
Group photo!
Obligatory
On the move
BIT wrangler
The crane
Hanging out
Waiting for weather confirmation, before proceeding
Checking on pre-launch power connection
Prevents non-chargeable batteries from draining
BT, ready to fly
And posing for a photo
The professors
Barth, Bill, and Richard
Photo op: Richard
Photo op: Javier
Photo op: John
Del, our CSBF engineer
On the move again
Heading to the pad
The pad
Later. Waiting.
Sad return
After weather was deemed too risky to proceed.
Back outside the highbay
BIT in the sunset
Lowering
On the ground again
Ready for a crane switch back into the highbay
Closer look
Removing solar panels
As the sun sets. Not that it matters, since the panels are fake anyway.
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