The final major technical hurdle before SuperBIT can launch was its April 3 Compatiblity test. We rolled outside and connected all of the balloon and satellite electronics to make sure everything worked together. It did. There was also a little bit of final preparation to do beforehand, mainly finishing up the DRSes (Data Recovery Systems), which are essentially hard drives on parachutes that we can use for “high bandwidth downlink”.
SuperBIT being fully assembled outside also provides a good photo opportunity, so lots of people came outside to pose with it.
The test passed fine, and we then started to wait for a potential launch day that checks all the weather and safety boxes. Our first such potential day is here, and I write this in a short gap between preparations.
Rolling outside
For the first time since adding the cart
Tons of clearance
SuperBIT sitting outside
For a satellite comms test
Ellen and Ajay test the DRSes
Data Recovery Systems
Richard adds labels to the data drops
Susan enlists her parents to help
Sophia and Kevin stopped by Wanaka as part of a New Zealand vacation
Emaad astounds
With something on his screen that I no longer recall
Spencer's last visit to the beach
Before flying home
Vy's warmth sloth
Weigh in photography
With Curtis too
3555 lbs
Parachute folding
Bill reflects
Garrison
Arts and crafts
Sun shielding for the DRSes
More arts and crafts
Installed DRS with sun shield
Space Kiwi's safety seat
Complete with cup holder
Checking on the GoPro
Ready to roll out
Early in the morning, on Compatibility day
The launch crane awaits
Rolled out
Wrangling cables
Rolling out the solar skirt and stand
Lifting onto the skirt
Connecting cables to the DRSes
SuperBIT sunrise
Lifting up
Up the bottom
Ballast hopper in the middle, with four DRSes
Mike wrestles BIT's leashes
And Daniel watches the launch pin
Backing up
SuperBIT flying in the clouds
Cloudy mountains
Reversed position
Ellen demonstrates the expanded PPE
Expanded set of personal protective equipment
Foam sword and shield
Susan and BIT
Susan
Ellen
Who unfortunately kept looking at her phone to my left
Ajay
Emaad
Me!
With lucky space socks
Women of SuperBIT
Vy is supportive
Richard
SuperBIT is thiiiis big
The "Durham group"
Quotes because Ellen graduated and moved to Sydnet
David
David closer
The next balloon!
For EUSO's flight, after ours
Barth is serious
No wait, Barth is not serious
Barth and BIT
Group photo
Larger family of warmth animals
Droppign back down
New Zealands native birds damage the solar panels
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