On December 19, we did Spider’s Compatibility test. This is essentially a dress rehearsal for launch. We go through our pre-launch checklist, disconnect from all our non-flight ground cables, and hang out on the launch vehicle (aka The Boss). The test went fine.
This set off a blur of days as we immediately prepared to start trying to launch, with the first attempt beginning the evening after Compatibility ended. For the first attempt, we had a whole bunch of little tasks to finish before we were really truly launch ready, like cleaning pre-flight data from the computers, and finishing arts-and-crafts on the sun shields. Which meant much of the team had little rest.
We had a couple scrubbed attempts, where we got all ready, rolled outside, and waited for the weather to maybe look good enough to launch. It didn’t. (Yet.) And then we reversed the procedure to roll back inside to try again the next evening. And again. Until finally…
![Mess of disconnected cables Mess of disconnected cables • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600825614/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600825614_1b2d361060_m.jpg)
Mess of disconnected cables
From some late night detector noise testing
![Opening the apertures Opening the apertures • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600986120/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600986120_3e6da236f7_m.jpg)
Opening the apertures
Removing the foam covers inside
![DO WIGGLE! DO WIGGLE! • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601082773/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601082773_3d84277d57_m.jpg)
DO WIGGLE!
![The Boss is waiting The Boss is waiting • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600071392/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600071392_0b6ddee49d_m.jpg)
The Boss is waiting
![Forking a pump onto The Boss Forking a pump onto The Boss • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600563606/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600563606_2401af4524_m.jpg)
Forking a pump onto The Boss
![Spider coming outside Spider coming outside • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600825434/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600825434_f763236544_m.jpg)
Spider coming outside
In a launch-ready state
![Electronics guys wait their turn Electronics guys wait their turn • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600563536/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600563536_27f5759c93_m.jpg)
Electronics guys wait their turn
![Cory on The Boss Cory on The Boss's deck • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600985960/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600985960_a03494733d_m.jpg)
Cory on The Boss's deck
![Spider outside Spider outside • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600071222/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600071222_43f7781b0b_m.jpg)
Spider outside
![Alec swaps ropes Alec swaps ropes • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601082583/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601082583_25c733cb39_m.jpg)
Alec swaps ropes
From the indoor hoist to The Boss
![The Boss, Spider, Payload Bay 2 The Boss, Spider, Payload Bay 2 • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600563411/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600563411_2c93974e9f_m.jpg)
The Boss, Spider, Payload Bay 2
![Garrison drives Garrison drives • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600825234/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600825234_7a330053ce_m.jpg)
Garrison drives
![Tyler holds The Boss Tyler holds The Boss's leash • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601082483/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601082483_78e0c3c8d6_m.jpg)
Tyler holds The Boss's leash
(Keeps the flight cables out of the way)
![The Boss from behind The Boss from behind • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600563391/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600563391_22fc6349ac_m.jpg)
The Boss from behind
![The parachute bin The parachute bin • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600071122/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600071122_de7d673bc8_m.jpg)
The parachute bin
![Installing CSBF Installing CSBF's solar panels • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600985745/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600985745_841253bc35_m.jpg)
Installing CSBF's solar panels
![More onlookers More onlookers • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600071047/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600071047_b08e085604_m.jpg)
More onlookers
![Ready to lift Ready to lift • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600985650/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600985650_f569a2693f_m.jpg)
Ready to lift
![Lifted! Lifted! • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600563241/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600563241_2cfb3c6fcf_m.jpg)
Lifted!
By the launch vehicle!
![CSBF solar panels, and ballast hopper CSBF solar panels, and ballast hopper • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601082293/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601082293_352fab8baa_m.jpg)
CSBF solar panels, and ballast hopper
![Corwin guards our pump hose Corwin guards our pump hose • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601082268/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601082268_8e6d269900_m.jpg)
Corwin guards our pump hose
![Sneak pieak of Cory Sneak pieak of Cory • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600824974/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600824974_8e62697cfc_m.jpg)
Sneak pieak of Cory
![Spider backs up from the deck Spider backs up from the deck • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600070857/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600070857_7da7746600_m.jpg)
Spider backs up from the deck
![Compatiblity happening Compatiblity happening • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600070787/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600070787_9f9f2b8e12_m.jpg)
Compatiblity happening
ie sitting there doing apparently nothing while we check that everything works
![Simon poses with Spider Simon poses with Spider • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601082198/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601082198_5ef3400557_m.jpg)
Simon poses with Spider
![I pose with Spider I pose with Spider • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600070757/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600070757_e4d1f8dd1c_m.jpg)
I pose with Spider
![So much solar power So much solar power • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600563016/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600563016_45eeab2f4c_m.jpg)
So much solar power
![Bill Bill's tur nguarding the pump • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601082088/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601082088_666ae40085_m.jpg)
Bill's tur nguarding the pump
As we roll back into the payload bay
![Undoing solar panels Undoing solar panels • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600824779/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600824779_0e5f2ebb8f_m.jpg)
Undoing solar panels
![Johanna Johanna's custom high-vis vest • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600070642/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600070642_12c3e448e7_m.jpg)
Johanna's custom high-vis vest
![IMG_0956 IMG_0956 • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601082023/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601082023_5decd5585b_m.jpg)
IMG_0956
![Jared photographs Jared photographs • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600070602/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600070602_65de19aca5_m.jpg)
Jared photographs
Basically everything
![Coming back inside Coming back inside • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600562831/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600562831_0188095cab_m.jpg)
Coming back inside
![Cutting an extra access hole Cutting an extra access hole • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600985360/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600985360_3112f05251_m.jpg)
Cutting an extra access hole
For reaching in to top up the liquid helium
![Tweaking the thermal covers Tweaking the thermal covers • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600824649/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600824649_c643f5b147_m.jpg)
Tweaking the thermal covers
![Final parting messages to Spider Final parting messages to Spider • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601081883/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601081883_bdbc5d1773_m.jpg)
Final parting messages to Spider
![Sealing up the bottom Sealing up the bottom • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600824439/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600824439_8750e0a29a_m.jpg)
Sealing up the bottom
After floor-signing completes. (And removal of cryogenic drip bucket)
![Spider shirts in action Spider shirts in action • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600562631/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600562631_53bf211ac5_m.jpg)
Spider shirts in action
![They They're multiplying! • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600824369/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600824369_e68c79ea34_m.jpg)
They're multiplying!
![SImon reaches SImon reaches • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600824454/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600824454_bf5651f249_m.jpg)
SImon reaches
Things are hard to reach once the sun shields are fully filled in.
![Bill is a supportive advisor Bill is a supportive advisor • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600562131/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600562131_1cdd5470b7_m.jpg)
Bill is a supportive advisor
![Checklist master Jeff Checklist master Jeff • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600562376/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600562376_c2dcb2ba87_m.jpg)
Checklist master Jeff
![Spider Spider's body cameras • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600562381/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600562381_44ed6597ec_m.jpg)
Spider's body cameras
![Spider Spider's belly • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600562286/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600562286_b319453b8e_m.jpg)
Spider's belly
Feat thin bag over electronics, as protection during ascent
![Belly and floor Belly and floor • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600824224/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600824224_1f5609c68d_m.jpg)
Belly and floor
![Harnessing the power of the Johanna hat Harnessing the power of the Johanna hat • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600562211/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600562211_81fc95f7ac_m.jpg)
Harnessing the power of the Johanna hat
![Through the side hatch Through the side hatch • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600562166/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600562166_fd8b28e185_m.jpg)
Through the side hatch
Control electronics and main flight computer
![Covering solar panel cables Covering solar panel cables • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600824084/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600824084_d5252b1c62_m.jpg)
Covering solar panel cables
After swapping them to flight configuration
![Custom fit vest Custom fit vest • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601081393/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601081393_c16256d9ed_m.jpg)
Custom fit vest
As Curtis and several riggers take pity on Joseph's confusion
![Corwin and the pump Corwin and the pump • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600984660/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600984660_5899314a83_m.jpg)
Corwin and the pump
![YOLO hat. YOLO hat. • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600069772/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600069772_d179800353_m.jpg)
YOLO hat.
With Susan in full disguise mode
![Solar panels ready to go back on Solar panels ready to go back on • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600069757/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600069757_1c54961327_m.jpg)
Solar panels ready to go back on
![Spider back out on the deck Spider back out on the deck • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601081173/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601081173_4544d4b3eb_m.jpg)
Spider back out on the deck
![Rope swap again Rope swap again • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601081248/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601081248_e8f97174c6_m.jpg)
Rope swap again
![The Boss picking Spider up again The Boss picking Spider up again • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600823859/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600823859_72779df9f2_m.jpg)
The Boss picking Spider up again
![The control center The control center • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600561796/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600561796_eb26c830b8_m.jpg)
The control center
Our crappiest laptop ended up the center of activity, thanks mostly to proximity to door and radio
![Jared with multiple cameras Jared with multiple cameras • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600069577/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600069577_cf7f3b7996_m.jpg)
Jared with multiple cameras
![Spider lfiter for first launch attempt Spider lfiter for first launch attempt • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600823634/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600823634_8af0dc7f89_m.jpg)
Spider lfiter for first launch attempt
![Backing up for possibly the last time Backing up for possibly the last time • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601081043/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601081043_9739eeeccd_m.jpg)
Backing up for possibly the last time
(But not actually the last time)
![Watching her go Watching her go • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601080938/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601080938_81dc8f819b_m.jpg)
Watching her go
![Safety cones Safety cones • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600984310/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600984310_74173b198f_m.jpg)
Safety cones
![Nap time Nap time • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600984320/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600984320_338f65203b_m.jpg)
Nap time
It's been a long few days, with lots of missed sleep
![Suren made a chair Suren made a chair • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600069307/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600069307_66331615dc_m.jpg)
Suren made a chair
With scrap lumber, while we were waiting
![Rose gives a pi ball lesson Rose gives a pi ball lesson • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600561556/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600561556_53e9f6acd7_m.jpg)
Rose gives a pi ball lesson
"Pilot balloon", for measuring winds
![Jared is really excited to launch the pi ball Jared is really excited to launch the pi ball • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600561551/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600561551_71fb5aa44e_m.jpg)
Jared is really excited to launch the pi ball
(Not actually his birthday)
![Jared Jared's moment to shine • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600069217/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600069217_1413c17919_m.jpg)
Jared's moment to shine
![Launch! Launch! • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600823379/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600823379_b7f174c2c8_m.jpg)
Launch!
(Though it found winds too high for Spider)
![Rose tracks Rose tracks • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52601080733/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52601080733_f13ec76045_m.jpg)
Rose tracks
On the theodolite
![Sunny Spider Sunny Spider • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600069092/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600069092_843403cf49_m.jpg)
Sunny Spider
![Coming back insde Coming back insde • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600984090/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600984090_c54901ce05_m.jpg)
Coming back insde
No launch today
![Hello, shovel Hello, shovel • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/52600984035/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm66.static.flickr.com/65535/52600984035_2cda1a0512_m.jpg)
Hello, shovel
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