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For additional information about this web page and for feedback please contact
Pietro Bernasconi
Phone: 443 778 8970

Images of September 2003 Campaign
       
Click on the images to view a larger version
NASA payload integr facility NASA payload integration facility in Fort Sumner, NM
Harry antennas Harry Eaton on top of the telemetry tower after installing the antennas used to receive the telemetry form the payload during the flight
Pietro working Pietro Bernasconi working on the cabling on the back of the telescope
Harry working Harry Eaton working on the electronics in the pressure vessels on top of the gondola mezzanine
GSE Ground Support Computers. From this station we will monitor the health and operations of the instrument and we will send commands to it
Pointing tests Poining and operational tests from the ground, by hanging the gondola from a crane
back of telescope Back of the telescope during outdoors pointing tests
Peter & gondola Peter Foukal standing next to the payload during an outdoors testing session
Hang test Hang test of payload in full flight configuration. Note the ballast hopper hanging from the bottom of the gondola and the cardboard crush pads on each of the four corners
launch night Night of September 1st, 2003, a few hours before launch. The instrument is ready and patiently waits to be transported towards the launch pad
deploiment of balloon The ballon is being unrolled by NSBF personnel
balloon valve NSBF personnel works on the balloon valve setup
balloon-parachute interface NSBF personnel working on the parachute-balloon interface. The launch vehicle is standing on the background with the gondola hanging behind it
gondola ready The SBI payload is ready to be launched. It hags form the launch vehicle waiting for exciting things to come ...
inflation starts The balloon inflation starts. The total volume of the balloon is 11 million cubic feet (a medium size), it is filled with helium
inflation 1 The inflation proceeds. The helium is pumped into the balloon by the two narrow tubes on the side. The release valve now sits on the top of the balloon
inflation 2 Inflation continues. The balloon is held down by the large white cilinder (the "spool") visible right below the balloon.
inflation 3 Inflation almost completed. The balloon starts pulling, stretching the parachute lines
spool release Launch! September 1, 2003 at 7:25 local time (13:25 UT). The spool is lifted and the balloon starts raising.
balloon raises The balloon keeps going up. A brown collar holds the helium in the upper part of the balloon. The collar will be removed via radio command once the balloon is completely staright
launch 1 A view of the balloon release from a different perspective
launch 2 The payload leaves the hook from where it was hanging and off it goes!
ascending Good Bye! SBI is raising in the sky above Fort Sumner. After a great flight lasted approximately 9.5 hours SBI will land safely in a field just south of Flagstaf (AZ)
return Night of September 2, 2003. The recovery crew found the gondola sitting on its side, basically undamaged. After some effort they managed to hois it onto a truck flat bed and here you can see it back at Fort Sumner, safe and sound