During my first week in Antarctica, we completed the final preparations to join the cryostat (aka Llorothaag, or Lloro) to the balloon gondola that will support Lloro during the flight. The two systems were broadly complete already, with Lloro vacuum sealed and pre-cooling full of liquid nitrogen. But there were lots of little things to fix with cables, insulation, and testing. The week culminated in Spider finally coming together as a complete unit.
I was able to spend my first full day out at our Long Duration Balloon facility (LDB), which we commute to each day from McMurdo Station. After catching up with everyone, I spent much of the next couple days on mandatory training for new arrivals, before finally being able to get back to work.
My arrival made the field team almost complete, just waiting for Bill. The weekend after my arrival was American Thanksgiving, one of the big celebration days in McMurdo, and one of the rare two-day weekends (though, alas, not for me, as I paid the price for arriving so late). We managed to have the whole team together for the celebration meal, with both different shifts together. We were joined by a couple others: a colleague waiting to travel to the South Pole for a related project, as well as our wonderful chef out at LDB.
Note also that for this campaign I’ve brought a film camera (Nikon FM) with me. So there will be a bunch of photos, mostly from outside, that I won’t be posting until after I’ve returned home and had the film developed.
![The highbay, as I find it on arrival The highbay, as I find it on arrival • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52533764912/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52533764912_2cdc500e53_m.jpg)
The highbay, as I find it on arrival
Gondola built, and Lloro closed up
![Under the mezzanine Under the mezzanine • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534230361/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534230361_952e9cc4ff_m.jpg)
Under the mezzanine
Lab space
![On top of the mezzanine On top of the mezzanine • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534508329/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534508329_8ce881daa6_m.jpg)
On top of the mezzanine
Office space
![Susan insulates Lloro Susan insulates Lloro • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534236636/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534236636_42dd7de795_m.jpg)
Susan insulates Lloro
![With blue foam and aluminized mylar (incomplete here) With blue foam and aluminized mylar (incomplete here) • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534778478/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534778478_764bf18d60_m.jpg)
With blue foam and aluminized mylar (incomplete here)
![Sasha pokes at the motorized valves Sasha pokes at the motorized valves • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52533766412/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52533766412_f30ef0e0cb_m.jpg)
Sasha pokes at the motorized valves
![Steven refelects shinily Steven refelects shinily • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52533765627/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52533765627_f03b9f3e8e_m.jpg)
Steven refelects shinily
![Joseph perfofrms ACS surgery Joseph perfofrms ACS surgery • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534774533/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534774533_3014ca0653_m.jpg)
Joseph perfofrms ACS surgery
![Riccardo models proper cryo PPE Riccardo models proper cryo PPE • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534705190/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534705190_e270b94206_m.jpg)
Riccardo models proper cryo PPE
(Personal Protective Equipment). And a Spider hoodie
![Corwin uses the mini mill Corwin uses the mini mill • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534509194/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534509194_c37cd9f2bc_m.jpg)
Corwin uses the mini mill
Recently obtained for
![View of the highbay again View of the highbay again • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534525314/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534525314_1fd3685b07_m.jpg)
View of the highbay again
Can you spot the differences?
![Upgrading the drives in our detector readout computers Upgrading the drives in our detector readout computers • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534786493/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534786493_ef141bf141_m.jpg)
Upgrading the drives in our detector readout computers
![Soldering iron + heat gun Soldering iron + heat gun • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52533752732/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52533752732_0d17477a2b_m.jpg)
Soldering iron + heat gun
= winning
![Connecting the battery power system Connecting the battery power system • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534243516/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534243516_b9a144cfbd_m.jpg)
Connecting the battery power system
![Johanna puts the baffle rims together Johanna puts the baffle rims together • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534523379/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534523379_269191f7fc_m.jpg)
Johanna puts the baffle rims together
Flight campaigns have many opportunities for arts and crafts
![Inside the star camera computer Inside the star camera computer • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534491829/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534491829_2fcdc974f7_m.jpg)
Inside the star camera computer
Which I didn't want to open. But I didn't have to want to
![Packing an ECW bag of wine Packing an ECW bag of wine • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534749883/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534749883_66ab8a3bb6_m.jpg)
Packing an ECW bag of wine
For thanksgiving dinner
![Thanksgiving dinner Thanksgiving dinner • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534269046/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534269046_f35a58c258_m.jpg)
Thanksgiving dinner
I'm thankful for all these people (especially LDB chef Dan, at front right)
![Snowy Sunday Snowy Sunday • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534718015/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534718015_7f22f9630d_m.jpg)
Snowy Sunday
We're only the second van to brave the roads after some new snow drifts on Sunday
![Jason models a new Spider shirt Jason models a new Spider shirt • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534241641/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534241641_9ca2f30c63_m.jpg)
Jason models a new Spider shirt
![Installing some final pre-lift Lloro insulation with Susan Installing some final pre-lift Lloro insulation with Susan • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52533771972/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52533771972_b25dfa0451_m.jpg)
Installing some final pre-lift Lloro insulation with Susan
![Simon pulls Simon pulls • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534741198/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534741198_3056bd31b4_m.jpg)
Simon pulls
As we rotate Lloro from vertical to lift position
![Gondola and Lloro Gondola and Lloro • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534476984/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534476984_20cbd447ed_m.jpg)
Gondola and Lloro
Apart for the last time
![Gondola floor Gondola floor • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534715775/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534715775_a0c34e875f_m.jpg)
Gondola floor
With much of the electronics boxes and cables installed
![Sasha and cables Sasha and cables • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534469114/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534469114_7f9002a80a_m.jpg)
Sasha and cables
She neatened up all of the cables on the inner frame.
![Cryo plumbing Cryo plumbing • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52533716767/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52533716767_be3f1e1aa6_m.jpg)
Cryo plumbing
In the state during nitrogen fills
![Lloro Lloro's other side • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534183821/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534183821_2d583ec898_m.jpg)
Lloro's other side
![And the front profile And the front profile • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52533714022/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52533714022_a74915858b_m.jpg)
And the front profile
I take a little tour pre-lift
![The front The front • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534656820/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534656820_1c1cf8bb90_m.jpg)
The front
Covered telescope ports, and cryo electronics
![End of Lloro tour End of Lloro tour • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534179416/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534179416_305e3c533b_m.jpg)
End of Lloro tour
![Rotating the gondola Rotating the gondola • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52533707022/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52533707022_3fc98de540_m.jpg)
Rotating the gondola
To lift position
![Corwin cleans the "hockey sticks" Corwin cleans the "hockey sticks" • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534454194/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534454194_02062bc03c_m.jpg)
Corwin cleans the "hockey sticks"
These arms are part of the elevation drive system, as well as the elevation locks for launch
![Testing elevatino drives Testing elevatino drives • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534648475/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534648475_fcbbe43a2d_m.jpg)
Testing elevatino drives
With helpful holders
![Rigging Lloro to lift Rigging Lloro to lift • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534451034/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534451034_9af5005d9c_m.jpg)
Rigging Lloro to lift
with the temporary spreader bar
![Lloro lifted Lloro lifted • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52533698917/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52533698917_21ecf28a1c_m.jpg)
Lloro lifted
![Sneaking into place Sneaking into place • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534446609/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534446609_06718d0888_m.jpg)
Sneaking into place
With millimeters to spare!
![Trying to finely align the crystat Trying to finely align the crystat • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534707333/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534707333_5e812173e1_m.jpg)
Trying to finely align the crystat
On both sides!
![Unrigging Unrigging • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534443794/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534443794_81ea78574b_m.jpg)
Unrigging
![Spider together! Spider together! • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52533689392/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52533689392_35db649722_m.jpg)
Spider together!
![Spider together! Spider together! • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534437724/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534437724_f7b889c2d4_m.jpg)
Spider together!
In profile
![A little nitrogen splash A little nitrogen splash • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52534442349/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52534442349_a647502ee0_m.jpg)
A little nitrogen splash
We want a bit more cooling before starting to fill liquid helium
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