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
Testing the sun sensor
Yes, I know all of the pinholes are covered in this photo.
Painting the baffles
The white paint is "black" as seen by Spider.
Attaching antennas to the sun shield frame
Simon goes for a ride
To attach another antenna, slightly too high for a ladder
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
Which normally holds Spider up, but when it's dangling it's held by the sun shield
Adjusting ropes
Installing baffles
These shield the telescopes from stray light
Finishing lots of details
Including Zakiya, the final undergrad. Sorry, I didn't have any good photos of you.
Staring contest
With Spider's fully baffled telescopes. (Some are deliberately only half white)
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
Spider in profile
Lifting the sun shields
Amazingly, they hang at pretty much the right angle for installation
Bills drills
To attach an antenna mount
Hey it's me!
Somebody (probably Simon) catches me watching as we rotate the now much more cumbersome Spider
Rope checking
The clearances are super tight
Packing begins
The schedule is tight, so anything no longer needed starts getting packed
Spider rollling ourside
Pay no attention to the winky face
Spider outside
To test satellite communication we need to see the sky
Topping the mushroom
The big Iridium Pilot antenna is installed
We rushed inside before getting soaked
Back outside
The following day, where we're doing our official compatibility test.
Lots of solar power!
Emergency soldering
One of the antennas needed a slightly different connector.
Group photo!
Obligatory, on compatibility day
Weigh in (lbs)
To make sure we won't be too heavy for the balloon
Compatibility passed!
The heavens show their support
Packing intensifies
Now that we've passed compatibility, everything can go
Solar panel deconstruction
Solar panel deconstructed
That was fast
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
Building 9
Lloro lifts off the gondola
Parted for the last time
To be rejoined in Antarctica
Cryo disassembly
The now-open cryostat is taken apart in preparation for shipping
The gondola goes back to the other highbay
Bill has a better idea
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