This post is very late: my site had server issues that have finally been resolved. I post this just before heading out to join much of the rest of the team already in Antarctica!
After successfully cooling down and testing Spider’s detectors, the final thing to do was our compatibility test. For this, the payload gets completely assembled and we roll outside to test that the NASA satellite communication (and everything else) works properly. This requirement is the primary reason that we go to Palestine in advance of Antarctic flights.
This was the end of my stay in Texas, since I had to leave early to attend a conference. Though I missed the first couple days to stay for compatibility. Oops, sorry, I only missed packing. We were also joined by a few Princeton undergrads: Zakiya, Andi, and Shannon. Extra hands were very welcome in the final crunch, and hopefully they enjoyed a bit of science before the packing. Lots of balloon science is just packing and unpacking anyway.
![Wiring up the solar panels Wiring up the solar panels • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478925624/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478925624_33a3440626_m.jpg)
Wiring up the solar panels
![Testing the sun sensor Testing the sun sensor • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479196558/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479196558_6c19886e1a_m.jpg)
Testing the sun sensor
Yes, I know all of the pinholes are covered in this photo.
![Painting the baffles Painting the baffles • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478650151/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478650151_eaa2e08bd2_m.jpg)
Painting the baffles
The white paint is "black" as seen by Spider.
![Attaching antennas to the sun shield frame Attaching antennas to the sun shield frame • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478925544/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478925544_3b4ecf25c4_m.jpg)
Attaching antennas to the sun shield frame
![Simon goes for a ride Simon goes for a ride • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479196493/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479196493_9ec12674cc_m.jpg)
Simon goes for a ride
![To attach another antenna, slightly too high for a ladder To attach another antenna, slightly too high for a ladder • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478148797/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478148797_bb21cb1c69_m.jpg)
To attach another antenna, slightly too high for a ladder
![Walking the sun shields around Walking the sun shields around • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479196458/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479196458_149c1be482_m.jpg)
Walking the sun shields around
Including Shannon and Andi 2/3 Princeton undergrads that joined us for the final couple weeks.
![Rigging up the pivot Rigging up the pivot • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479111400/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479111400_c88ebaf54c_m.jpg)
Rigging up the pivot
Which normally holds Spider up, but when it's dangling it's held by the sun shield
![Adjusting ropes Adjusting ropes • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479196418/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479196418_16009207ea_m.jpg)
Adjusting ropes
![Installing baffles Installing baffles • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478650036/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478650036_45b8d2b6f0_m.jpg)
Installing baffles
These shield the telescopes from stray light
![Finishing lots of details Finishing lots of details • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478657806/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478657806_541f398b66_m.jpg)
Finishing lots of details
Including Zakiya, the final undergrad. Sorry, I didn't have any good photos of you.
![Staring contest Staring contest • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478148747/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478148747_565a237b80_m.jpg)
Staring contest
With Spider's fully baffled telescopes. (Some are deliberately only half white)
![Joseph and the amazing technicolour dream gyro Joseph and the amazing technicolour dream gyro • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478650031/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478650031_3c556f6042_m.jpg)
Joseph and the amazing technicolour dream gyro
The new gyroscope we're using to track our pointing is way better than the old ones.
![Shiny new gyro Shiny new gyro • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478925434/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478925434_ee4bc6d52b_m.jpg)
Shiny new gyro
![Spider in profile Spider in profile • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479196338/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479196338_2791188527_m.jpg)
Spider in profile
![Lifting the sun shields Lifting the sun shields • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479196308/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479196308_213d76666f_m.jpg)
Lifting the sun shields
Amazingly, they hang at pretty much the right angle for installation
![Bills drills Bills drills • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479111265/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479111265_0a162d0d7e_m.jpg)
Bills drills
To attach an antenna mount
![Hey it Hey it's me! • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478925379/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478925379_b8875170c5_m.jpg)
Hey it's me!
Somebody (probably Simon) catches me watching as we rotate the now much more cumbersome Spider
![Rope checking Rope checking • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478925364/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478925364_1005721953_m.jpg)
Rope checking
The clearances are super tight
![Packing begins Packing begins • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478925354/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478925354_1daca8a8b1_m.jpg)
Packing begins
The schedule is tight, so anything no longer needed starts getting packed
![Spider rollling ourside Spider rollling ourside • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478649876/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478649876_3906c2ec9d_m.jpg)
Spider rollling ourside
Pay no attention to the winky face
![Spider outside Spider outside • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478925294/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478925294_38ed42f490_m.jpg)
Spider outside
To test satellite communication we need to see the sky
![Topping the mushroom Topping the mushroom • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478148542/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478148542_3937a03767_m.jpg)
Topping the mushroom
The big Iridium Pilot antenna is installed
![We rushed inside before getting soaked We rushed inside before getting soaked • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479111130/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479111130_05d1c24fe4_m.jpg)
We rushed inside before getting soaked
![Back outside Back outside • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478148472/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478148472_4eeeef1ee5_m.jpg)
Back outside
The following day, where we're doing our official compatibility test.
![Lots of solar power! Lots of solar power! • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479111095/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479111095_65d25cc3d7_m.jpg)
Lots of solar power!
![Emergency soldering Emergency soldering • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478925214/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478925214_ebd1617cd6_m.jpg)
Emergency soldering
One of the antennas needed a slightly different connector.
![Group photo! Group photo! • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478649766/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478649766_6d6f7eb3c3_m.jpg)
Group photo!
Obligatory, on compatibility day
![Weigh in (lbs) Weigh in (lbs) • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478649751/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478649751_e757026bbd_m.jpg)
Weigh in (lbs)
To make sure we won't be too heavy for the balloon
![Compatibility passed! Compatibility passed! • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479111005/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479111005_8a20d88a24_m.jpg)
Compatibility passed!
The heavens show their support
![Packing intensifies Packing intensifies • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478649736/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478649736_b181d5d5ce_m.jpg)
Packing intensifies
Now that we've passed compatibility, everything can go
![Solar panel deconstruction Solar panel deconstruction • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479111020/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479111020_c356d7b3b3_m.jpg)
Solar panel deconstruction
![Solar panel deconstructed Solar panel deconstructed • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479196048/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479196048_10a62ced89_m.jpg)
Solar panel deconstructed
That was fast
![Tiny Tim Tiny Tim • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478925054/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478925054_bc8f95c5f2_m.jpg)
Tiny Tim
A few of us go across the road to visit the old retired launch vehicle
![Simon stop to pose in a large forklift Simon stop to pose in a large forklift • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479110965/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479110965_9c88b3724d_m.jpg)
Simon stop to pose in a large forklift
![Building 9 Building 9 • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478148232/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478148232_871337552b_m.jpg)
Building 9
![Lloro lifts off the gondola Lloro lifts off the gondola • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478924954/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478924954_e3ecc70d03_m.jpg)
Lloro lifts off the gondola
![Parted for the last time Parted for the last time • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52479195978/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52479195978_47c329325f_m.jpg)
Parted for the last time
To be rejoined in Antarctica
![Cryo disassembly Cryo disassembly • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478649451/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478649451_ea46b7bfe0_m.jpg)
Cryo disassembly
The now-open cryostat is taken apart in preparation for shipping
![The gondola goes back to the other highbay The gondola goes back to the other highbay • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478649466/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478649466_8caa4689cd_m.jpg)
The gondola goes back to the other highbay
![Bill has a better idea Bill has a better idea • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52478649586/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52478649586_42782db16e_m.jpg)
Bill has a better idea
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