BARREL Status Report #8

BARREL Status Report #8
January 3, 2013

The SANAE team was hoping to launch today but the winds weren't cooperating. So, they completed testing of Payload 1L, which is now ready to launch - two on deck! At Halley we began preparing for a launch attempt for tomorrow. Payload 1D is buttoned up and ready to fly.  We also finished bench testing Payload 1I, which is now talking to the ground station at UCSC for testing.

Weather Outlook

Halley: Winds look favorable for tomorrow until early afternoon so we will be trying for a 1200 UT launch. After that, the weather will be deteriorating for a few days.

SANAE: The weekend is looking favorable overall, with a possibility for a launch tomorrow afternoon.

Last, but not least, I'd like to thank the entire BARREL team for the outstanding job they've been doing so far. Things are running very smoothly:  Mission monitors are working around the clock to monitor the data from Payloads 1B and 1J; the folks at UCSC are keeping the ground station going; Alexa and Leslie are doing a fantastic job coordinating with the Van Allen Probes team and maintaining our blog (Thanks Robyn!); and the field teams are working efficiently to get payloads tested and in the air. Thanks to all!!!!

Robyn


Just a quick note to add. The KML files for the payloads are up and look fine now. I'll add 01/03/13 files ASAP.