{"id":585,"date":"2010-03-23T22:13:31","date_gmt":"2010-03-24T02:13:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/galadriel.astro.utoronto.ca\/ballast\/?p=585"},"modified":"2010-03-23T22:13:31","modified_gmt":"2010-03-24T02:13:31","slug":"pic-preparation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?p=585","title":{"rendered":"PIC Preparation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>While I was in Philadelphia (a couple months ago now&#8230;I&#8217;m still posting old pictures), everyone back in Toronto was working really hard to get the gondola pointing, the star camera mounted, and sun shield completely assembled. All this in preparation for the PIC (which can be thought of as &#8220;the pick&#8221;), at which NASA decides who is ready to go to Antarctica in the coming season. We wanted pictures of the complete gondola to show how awesomely ready we were.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-585 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=587'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1756-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-587\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1756-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1756-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1756-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-587'>\n\t\t\t\tLabcoat (a superhero vaguely resembling Natalie) help Barth mount the star camera\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=588'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1760-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-588\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1760-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1760-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1760-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-588'>\n\t\t\t\tJamil and Laura look on, in awe of the amazing Labcout\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=589'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1772-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-589\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1772-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1772-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1772-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-589'>\n\t\t\t\tIn no time at all, Labcoat is mounting the baffle\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=590'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1778-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-590\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1778-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1778-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1778-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-590'>\n\t\t\t\tThe sun shields require some last minute touchups before assembly\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=591'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1787-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-591\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1787-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1787-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1787-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-591'>\n\t\t\t\tThe main structure of the sun shields is assembled flat on the ground\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=592'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1791-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-592\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1791-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1791-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1791-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-592'>\n\t\t\t\tThe pivot is then attached to its shelf, and the cable to the bottom of the shield\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=593'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1803-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-593\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1803-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1803-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1803-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-593'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd then, like a barn, they are raised.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=594'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1804-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-594\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1804-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1804-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1804-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-594'>\n\t\t\t\tAlso like barn raisings, everyone shows up to help raise sun shields\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=595'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1806-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-595\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1806-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1806-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1806-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-595'>\n\t\t\t\tOnce raised, the sun shields are lifted off the ground (like only the floatiest of barns)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=596'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1811-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-596\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1811-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1811-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1811-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-596'>\n\t\t\t\tThen, the sun shields have to be carefully positioned over the gondola\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=597'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1816-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-597\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1816-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1816-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1816-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-597'>\n\t\t\t\tPositioning the shields is tricky work\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=598'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1819-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-598\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1819-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1819-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1819-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-598'>\n\t\t\t\tAt last, the crane has dragged the sun shields into place\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=599'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1828-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-599\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1828-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1828-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1828-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-599'>\n\t\t\t\tAnother break for marveling at the job well done\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=600'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1831-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-600\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1831-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1831-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1831-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-600'>\n\t\t\t\tTo remove the crane from the shields a brave soul (Juan) needs to climb up on a ladder\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=601'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1834-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-601\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1834-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1834-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1834-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-601'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd he stops to pose for a picture\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=602'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1836-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-602\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1836-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1836-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1836-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-602'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd then descends, with the crane now gone\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=603'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1840-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-603\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1840-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1840-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1840-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-603'>\n\t\t\t\tA collection of parts for attaching solar panel holders to the sun shields\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=604'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1841-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-604\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1841-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1841-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1841-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-604'>\n\t\t\t\tA couple solar panels test fit in their holder\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=605'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1844-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-605\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1844-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1844-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1844-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-605'>\n\t\t\t\tThe day&#8217;s raising isn&#8217;t done yet: there&#8217;s still the scoop to attach\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=606'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1845-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-606\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1845-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1845-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1845-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-606'>\n\t\t\t\tScoop mount on the front of the frame\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=607'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1851-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-607\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1851-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1851-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1851-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-607'>\n\t\t\t\tThe scoop is attached, as seen by a tiny person\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=608'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1858-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-608\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1858-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1858-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1858-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-608'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd as seen by a giant person\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=609'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1859-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-609\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1859-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1859-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1859-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-609'>\n\t\t\t\tThe whole thing is cool enough that the giant took several pictures (note: actual photographer may not be giant)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=610'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1863-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-610\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1863-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1863-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1863-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-610'>\n\t\t\t\tThe pivot and universal joint hang again from the crane&#8217;s blue ring\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=611'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1875-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-611\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1875-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1875-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1875-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-611'>\n\t\t\t\tTime for general pictures: the ACS BOB\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=617'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1889-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-617\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1889-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1889-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1889-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-617'>\n\t\t\t\tThe Computer Box and Watchdog\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=612'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1880-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-612\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1880-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1880-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1880-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-612'>\n\t\t\t\tTogether, they are the heart of BLASTpol (Cryostat is the cold, cold, eyes and the preamp\/DAS the brains)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=614'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1881-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-614\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1881-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1881-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1881-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-614'>\n\t\t\t\tThe star cameras are some strage extra eyes. BLAST is a triclops.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=615'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1885-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-615\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1885-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1885-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1885-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-615'>\n\t\t\t\tThe upper balance tank\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=616'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1886-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-616\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1886-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1886-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1886-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-616'>\n\t\t\t\tThe super-awesome bitty box, which doesn&#8217;t get to fly since it&#8217;s replaced by the SIP\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=618'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1894-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-618\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1894-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1894-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1894-682x1024.jpg 682w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-618'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd, to wrap up, one more tiny person photo of the whole thing\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=619'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1898-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-619\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1898-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1898-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1898-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-619'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd, last of all, a shot of the whole thing taken by an average sized photographer\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While I was in Philadelphia (a couple months ago now&#8230;I&#8217;m still posting old pictures), everyone back in Toronto was working really hard to get the gondola pointing, the star camera mounted, and sun shield completely assembled. All this in preparation for the PIC (which can be thought of as &#8220;the pick&#8221;), at which NASA decides [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9,10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=585"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":621,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/585\/revisions\/621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=585"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}