|
Victor attaches the flight train to BLAST.
|
|
Mark attaches a solar array strut.
|
|
NSBF attaches all of their electronics.
|
|
Charging batteries.
|
|
Charging batteries.
|
|
Ross, the NSBF weather man, prepares to launch a pie ball.
|
|
Pie ball launched.
|
|
Still charging batteries.
|
|
Pulling away from the highbay.
|
|
NSBF prepares the parachute and electronics.
|
|
A helium truck with the spooler drive out to the launch area. Good news!
|
|
Looking up the solar arrays.
|
|
Looking up at me.
|
|
BLAST holding for weather.
|
|
Nathan and Don test a balloon valve.
|
|
Rain clouds coming our way.
|
|
Jeff attempts to cover the pivot during a short rain storm, but
decides it is unreachable.
|
|
BLAST from above, taken from the roof of the highbay.
|
|
We have a countdown!
|
|
Another rain storm left BLAST very wet. Mark goes up to attempt to dry
off the mirror.
|
|
Here we go!
|
|
Mark picked up a whole lot of dirt with the water, too.
|
|
Matt refills the nitrogen purge can.
|
|
The balloon! Definitely a good sign.
|
|
BLAST on the move. We're finally taxiing down to the runway.
|
|
Setting up.
|
|
Starting to unpack the balloon.
|
|
Mark and Victor attach 15 pounds of lead brick to balance the outer
frame.
|
|
Victor in turn drops some ballast to compensate for the added weight.
|
|
NSBF electronics attach the parachute to the flight line.
|
|
A helicopter takes off, before flying a few circles around the launch
pad.
|
|
Fun with one of Paul's cameras.
|
|
Laying out the balloon.
|
|
Waiting.
|
|
Waiting.
|
|
Starting to inflate the balloon.
|
|
Inflating.
|
|
Inflating.
|
|
The gondola turned away from the Sun to illuminate the arrays.
|
|
Don looks on.
|
|
The ballon and flight line as seen from the launch vehicle.
|
|
Marie holds up the gondola.
|
|
Tension in the flight line as the balloon inflates.
|
|
The balloon now fully inflated, with the fill lines tied off and
hanging to the side.
|
|
Balloon and gondola.
|
|
The full flight line just before balloon release.
|
|
Release!
|
|
On the way up...
|
|
Going...
|
|
Going...
|
|
|
Almost overhead.
|
|
Almost...
|
|
Overhead...
|
|
Release!
|
|
The launch truck pulls back...
|
|
Rising...
|
|
Rising...
|
|
Rising...
|
|
Looks good! Note that the gondola is pointing directly away from the
Sun for maximum power to the solar arrays, just by chance.
|
|
Ed says goodbye.
|
