After an intense integration process, we have everything wrapped up, staked down, and are on the rail ready for flight!
Unfortunately, the upper-atmosphere winds are not as ready as we are, so tomorrow is a no-go for launch. Disturbances of the rocket's trajectory due to high winds could cause it to go off course. If that happens, the rocket will be terminated, which is just as destructive as it sounds. We don't want to take any chances, so the launch is postponed to a later date with a better weather outlook.
The new launch date will be Thursday, Dec. 11. Wind predictions for that day are looking good, so we have high confidence that we'll be able to launch then. Our launch window will be 11:45 to 12:30 Mountain Standard time (18:45 to 19:30 UTC).
In the meantime, two days off for the FOXSI team! (Cue all the emails from collaborators on my other projects...) :) We'll take a bit of much-needed rest and perhaps see a few of the sights in the areas. We kicked this off already by visiting the rocket museum at the range today. And I took pictures! Legally!
 |
| Our illustrious Principle Investigator checks out the Missile Park. |
 |
| Photographs of the Missile Park by FOXSI's biggest fan, Andy! |
 |
| V2 rocket in the missile museum |
No comments:
Post a Comment