During my second week, the main goal was to point BIT at the sky to test operations from the ground. This first involved some final assembly, followed by a few days of long and late shifts. After more clear nights than we expected, we were happy with the testing and moved BIT back away from the door to proceed with more flight preparation. That is, doing all the extra preparation needed to actually operate in the stratosphere, not just from the ground.
We were also joined by the “Durham crew”: Ellen (now in Sydney), David, and Richard. And at the end of the week, were briefly visited by the NASA Administrator and Deputy Administrator, while they were visiting New Zealand for other reasons.
For my day off, I tried out the disc golf course. Other maybe-players all decided on long drives or hikes instead, but after the previous weekend’s adventure I felt like something more chill.
Steven works on Balancing the telescope
This involves climbing into awkward places
Balanced
With brass pucks attached where needed
Inside the MCC
The "Master Control Computer". Opened due to error
Susan is so leet
On her new gaming chair
Bolting on bit's hat
This involves reaching into lots of awkward places
BIT with hat
Ratcheting the hoist back up
It needed to lower to move up to the door
BIT peeking out the door
Looking out a wide open door
At Spencer
In profile
Nighttime observing
What people are doing during nighttime observing
Morning running trail
A pretty nice place to be
Ellen assembles the data drop packages
Data drop package
Antenna boom
And riggers
David is recruited for arts & crafts
Steven and Barth too
Barth catches me watching
And again
Now back at the MCC
Vy and arts and crafts
Ellen and Richard test the data drop packages
Outside to check satellite communication
Group action shot
Steven crawling back into awkward places
Group action shot
Covering bare aluminum on the solar panel frames
Barth tests final balance
Steven too
Outer frame electronics
Mostly motor controllers and the solar/battery power system
BIT back from the door
To make room for EUSO
Giving BIT a socially distanced hug?
The lab, cleaned
In advance of a visit from the NASA Administrator and Deputy Administrator
Canadarm (Canadwing?)
On the space kiwi that we've agreed to carry with us
Running trail, sunrise edition
I spent my day off playing disc golf
At the beautiful course overlooking the lake and mountains
Kea disc (and evil basket placement behind trees)
I didn't bring my own disks, and when shopping for a few was won over by local company RPM and their discs all named for local birds
Mushroom
I found several of these while searching for a red disc
Nap time
I took a break between rounds in the shade
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