Andenes, Norway (June 29, 2006)—Today we began the count as normal with cloudy skies, but predictions that the skies will clear in a while. The skies cleared as predicted and the ALOMAR lidar was turned on to monitor for noctilucent clouds (NLCs). A NLC was detected mid-morning and we began to count down below the T-20 minute hold for science. The HotPay rocket was to launch first, but at T-2minutes 30seconds the NLC disappeared all together.
In the blockhouse, where I am located for launch, we brought the science charts up on a computer to monitor the conditions. As aerospace engineers we thought that the conditions looked good, but with discussion with the scientists it was later determined to be pretty poor. Everyone got excited for the count as we were about ready to go under clear skies, meaning that we can watch the first stage burn out after 5 seconds, as well as the second stage ignition at 8.3 km
(5 miles) and burnout at 39.7 km (24.6 miles). The forecast looks cloudy over the next few days, so who knows if we will get clear skies again.
Because of the clear skies the launch window was extended twice eventually closing at 5pm local time.
After the long launch window people dispersed to relax and watch the World Cup games, while myself and one other took the clear sky opportunity to climb up the mountain and get a good view of the launch range and nearby towns from the top.
Andenes, Norway (June 28, 2006)—Today we started at the beginning of our launch window, meaning all personnel had to be at their station at 6am local time. We began with a practice count today and once we went through the entire count the time was to be set back to T-20 minutes and a “hot count” was to begin. A hot count is one where if the science conditions are right when we get to T-0 we launch our rocket. We had some issues today during our horizontal test which tests the payload in a horizontal position before raising the rocket launch rail to the desired launch angle. We could not acquire a lock on the Norwegian telemetry system. The lock means that the telemetry room receiving the data has a strong signal and will not lose any data. It was decided after some testing to put the rocket in a partially vertical position in order to have a path to the antenna that is free of objects.
After the vertical test checked out fine, we were told that we did not receive launch approval from NASA. The reason for this was basically a communication issue, and was be solved as soon as the NASA folks came into work.
Unfortunately our launch window was closed.
A diplomat of the US Embassy visited the launch range to see what our project in person after supporting the project over the past few years. Two students gave presentations about their experience and what they learned from the collaboration. It was a success and the public affairs representative was impressed with our project.
During the practice count it was determined that the computer was not booting properly and the x-ray detector had a lot of stray noise. We spent some time trouble shooting the issue and determined that the rail could be the reason why the x-ray detector had the extra noise, and will hopefully disappear upon launch. To solve the computer issue we will have to remove the skin and replace the computer with the backup.
In the evening we had a presentation by Martin Freidrich about his research with ions and electrons in the atmosphere. He has been conducting this work for years and even helped with an experiment on the SPIRIT II payload that launched October 2003. We also had a presentation from the leader of the ALOMAR observatory. This observatory hosts a number of lidar telescopes that can inform the scientists of the presence of Noctilucent Clouds and runs radars that monitor other atmospheric events. These events are crucial for the best science possible.
Andenes, Norway (June 27, 2006)—The day started off with our team meeting at 8:45 to plan out the day’s events. Due to the staging and work with HotPay 1 we would not be allowed to use the telemetry equipment this morning, therefore getting part of the day off. The most current draft of the countdown was distributed and reviewed by needed parties. After lunch the blockhouse crew set up the power lines and made sure the voltage was increased for the long umbilical cables that connect the equipment to the rocket.
Immediately following this setup, HotPay began what is called the boom test.
The boom test is a test that makes sure all of the experiments when turned on function properly after being transported to the rail and mounted to the rocket motors. This test happens slowly and is done very carefully to make sure nothing happens to the experiments. After HotPay completed their boom test, we began our boom test. Everything checked out and was working. One minor adjustment to one of the external power supplies needs to be corrected during the horizontal checks on Wednesday.
In the evening the pre-flight meeting was held so everyone from both teams got together to discuss the countdown, launch conditions, and how the combined launch will happen. Ed has done a wonderful job of putting the launch countdown together and I tip my hat to him, because it has not been easy since HotPay showed up without a countdown and things keep moving around during the launch sequence, especially when trying to figure out which payload will launch first.
Tomorrow is the big day as we will start with a practice count to make sure everyone knows how the count will occur, and if everything goes smoothly, the clock will be re-set to T-20 minutes and the countdown will continue once the science conditions become favorable.
—Brian Pomeroy
Andenes, Norway (June 26, 2006)—Today started off quickly with setting up the telemetry for a sequence test. We had issues at first getting the Norwegian transmitter to lock onto the receiving dish. This took most of the morning. We eventually got lock on the telemetry system and conducted our sequence test after lunch without any issues. At the end of sequence they still had to try and tune the radio antennas to get the best lock on the Norwegian transmitter as possible. After they completed these tests, we began to install the pyrotechnics. These are used to deploy the nosecone, door, booms, and rocket motor during flight. After they had all of the pyrotechnics installed, we put the nosecone on for the final time and that was the last time we saw any of the experiments.
The payload was then transferred from the vertical position to the horizontal position for transportation to the launch pad. They bagged the payload to keep it clean during the mile drive to the motor assembly room. The payload was mounted to the Orion motor and the entire SPIRIT III/ESPRIT team was able to stand in front of the payload mounted to the Orion motor for a picture.
During the time when they were mounting the payload to the Orion motor, the students and HotPay 1 members had a joint seminar where the HotPay 1 experimenters described each experiment they have on their payload. This was so we could better understand what their payload is researching and how we can use their data in conjunction with our data.
In the evening we had a surprise seminar by Dr. Ulf-Peter Hoppe from the Norwegian Defense Institute. He talked to us about how the different ground-based science experiments work and what they can tell us. He also showed us what data will look like when we get the launch conditions we need to launch successfully. This seminar was informative and will get the students in the science center going on what to look for during launch countdown.
Tomorrow we get to conduct a practice countdown to make sure all systems are working on the launch rail.
Andenes, Norway (June 25, 2006)—We began the day with re-skinning for the second time. We began this process promptly in order to conduct a sequence test at 10:00 a.m. We began powering up the experiments on time but had a power spike on the strain gauge board. Due to the power spike, we had to take the skin and everything apart in order to verify that we did not damage the board. We later discovered there was no problem with the strain gauge board, but we decided the accelerometer connectors were not fit for flight and had to be replaced. The wires were soldered directly to the board, and a break out connector was installed. This should solve any problems with the accelerometers.
After everything was replaced, we conducted a power-up test to turn on all the experiments and verify that everything was working properly before putting the skin on. Another problem showed up that the grounding for the x-ray detector had come lose somehow. This required the bottom bulkhead to be removed from the separation skin. The separation skin is the location where the payload separates from the motor and the two experiments on the bottom bulkhead are exposed. We reattached the ground and soldered it so it will not come lose again, and the problem was solved.
At this point the build-up process began for the third time by attaching the payload to the separation skin, then putting the outer skin on, and finally the bulkhead. At the end of the day, we connected all the connectors needed to be ready for a sequence test. We should begin the sequence test first thing Monday morning.
Removing the skin as many times as we have occurs with other payloads. That is why we conduct all the testing we do to verify everything is working properly before we take it to the launch rail. Once it gets to the launch rail, we will continue to conduct testing before the final launch.
Andenes, Norway (June 24, 2006)—Today was our day off because NASA personnel can only work a maximum of 13 days every 14 days. This allowed all the Penn State students to take the day off. Six other students and I climbed to the top of a 467 m (about 1500 feet) peak behind the rocket range. During the climb up to the summit, we got a nice view of the rocket range. Once we got to the top, the view slowly got worse because the clouds lowered on top of us. It was a good hike through the hill behind the range.
After the hike, I biked to town with three others to see a little bit of Andenes. We rode our bikes to the harbor and the lighthouse, which is currently being painted a nice red color on the outside. On the way back, we stopped by the grocery store to get some snacks for the evenings. Having the day off was a nice change in pace and gave us all some relaxation time.
Andenes, Norway (June 23, 2006)—The other structures members and I woke up early to begin putting the rocket together today at 7:00 a.m. When we went outside, we found some blue sky so we decided instead to calibrate the photometer, which needs blue sky. Within 10 minutes the clouds rolled in over the mountain and the sky was cloudy, just like the rest of the time we have been here. So that test was put on hold, and we instead focused the camera lens. We built up the payload and it looked good in its full built-up configuration. We then ran telemetry checks with the ground station where the data is received during flight.
We ran three sequence tests meaning that we simulated a launch of the payload to verify the timer and all events worked properly, as well as data transmission. This time gave the experimenters the ability to do recorded calibrations on the tape to be used to help with data analysis. During this test, we determined that an experiment was not working properly. Because of this, we sat down as a whole team to figure out what to do, because taking off the skin will set back our schedule some—but that is what we decided to do.
We removed the skin to allow the board to be removed. After some troubleshooting, we determined that the sensor was being stimulated backwards, not allowing the sensor to send data to the ground station. The issue was solved quickly, and we are ready to skin-up the payload again, but we have to wait for the NASA personnel who are trained to use the crane. That is necessary due to a safety issue and also quality to make sure no one drops the payload.
Amid the troubleshooting of the payload, a bunch of us ran down to the bonfire. The festivities was celebrating the longest day of the year (actually June 21), even though we have been receiving 24 hours of the sun being behind the horizon for our whole trip. There are plenty of bonfires around Norway to celebrate this day. The celebration did not last all that long before the rain chased everyone inside.
Andenes, Norway (June 22, 2006)—The day began with a discussion about how we will finish the build-up and also the last timing sequence test before we take the payload to the rail. We started with a good lookover by the structures team. We verified every bolt was tightened so nothing comes loose during launch. The photometer experiment was also installed as the final experiment, and all other experiments checked out individually. In the afternoon, we finally turned on the transmitter and transmitted the data to the telemetry station to verify that the transmitters work. We then conducted a power-on test of all the experiments through the telemetry to make sure the experiments did not create any interference with one another.
Everything was checking out well until someone tripped over the cord and pulled it out. Good thing the NASA crew had a backup cord. This test took most of the day to conduct.
In the evening, everyone got a break. I played some ultimate Frisbee on the beach, some watched soccer, while others just relaxed in many different ways.
Friday should be a great day for the testing of the payload with a celebration in the evening for the longest day of the year!
Andenes, Norway (June 21, 2006)—Wednesday has been a very exciting day for the payload as it gets ready for the launch. A handful of students stayed up late into the night Tuesday and Wednesday reworking the photometer board issue of not having the proper resolution for picking up noctilucent clouds (NLC). Three students have been dedicated to working on this issue. The solid state detector (SSD), which is an experiment in conjunction with the x-ray detector, was thought to be working properly, but it was discovered that a chip in the boards was fried. This was replaced, and the experiment passed checkout with the PCM encoder. The PCM encoder is responsible for taking all the experiments’ data in and compiling one data signal containing all the information. This signal is then sent to the transmitter and eventually Earth. Once it is received at Andoya, the data is recorded on a computer for data analysis. The data is also decoded real time so that experimenters can read the data and see how everything is working during flight. This is especially important for the deployments - for example, to know the nosecone deployed properly during flight. We also use these computers to see the experiments’ health while we are still sitting on the launch pad.
I spent some time testing the temperature sensors and the strain gauges today. These are located on the nosecone and in the payload to measure the temperature during flight. This will help to verify the epoxy on the nosecone does not get too hot during flight.
I also had the opportunity to go to the motor area with two other students yesterday. We were able to see the Terrier and the Orion motors that our payload will be attached to for flight. They were working on setting the fin angles on the Orion motor so we get the proper spin upon motor burnout.
Andenes, Norway (June 20, 2006)—We have been at the range for four days now, eating at the range’s kitchen. The food tastes great! Norwegians have two staples of food: bread and potatoes. Every meal includes bread of some sort. For breakfast they have bread with different types of spreads: jam, cheese, chocolate, fish (mackerel and sardines), ham, salami, cucumbers, and more. Typically a small layer of spread is put onto each slice of bread and there is no top to your sandwich.
Breakfast also includes some cornflakes and muesli, if one is not daring enough to try the Norwegian brown cheese. The brown cheese, or goat cheese, is a typical Norwegian food. I personally like it with a spread of jam on top. The brown cheese is known for a very distinctive taste, which people like or dislike. It seems that the students like the brown cheese and eat it at every meal. The jam choices include the typical raspberry and strawberry jam, but one of our professors purchased some cloud berry jam, which is a berry found in northern Norway.
The lunches typically have included some sort of casserole or soup with the bread and spread found at breakfast. At 4:00 p.m. every day we get a short break to watch the World Cup, but more importantly, we get to partake in Norwegian waffles. These waffles are thin and taste great with a jam topping and sometimes even the brown cheese. The dinners have included meat with gravy, reindeer, the BBQ, and fish. All of these meals have tasted great, and none of the students seem to complain. Hopefully, the food will continue to be as good as it has been!
As for the progress of the payload, all but three experiments have checked out properly after the shipment. These experiments are keeping groups of students working around the clock. Some of the work has been trouble shooting, and part of it is calibrating the experiment. Today the first meeting occurred to develop the simultaneous launch plan between SPIRIT III and the HotPay rocket. The meeting ended with the Penn State countdown being the driving countdown that will be adapted to include necessary HotPay procedures.
The day ended with uprighting the payload from a horizontal position where we were working on experiments to a vertical position to begin assembling it for launch. This is a big step to ready ESPRIT for launch.
Andenes, Norway (June 19, 2006)—Well, the Mini Dusty rocket finally launched at 2:45 a.m. with poor science conditions. A few students stayed up to watch the launch. The flight was not all lost because this flight was also being used to test the new release mechanism for the payload from the rocket. The booster launched, but the payload never separated. Because of this the rocket only went to about 50 km or 60 km in altitude, below the science region. Because of the failed clamp release, the second rocket in the campaign was cancelled.
In the morning we had a presentation by a man from Colorado and a woman from the University in Rome. They launched a long-duration balloon to 35 km four days ago. This balloon will travel into the circum polar winds in the atmosphere and fly around the world and land in Greenland around 38 days later. The woman from the University of Rome talked to us about a previous balloon flight that she was apart of in 1999, called BOOMARanG. This flight was looking at the cosmic background radiation and the universe when it was young. She showed us some pictures taken from the camera onboard the balloon. NASA has since built a satellite, WMAP, which has also looked at similar background radiation, but across the entire sky with less resolution. She showed us the data from each flight and the results were quite similar.
In the evening for dinner, we had a BBQ in Norwegian style. Here we grilled pork and hotdogs. The hotdogs had the familiar hotdog buns, but also lompe, which is a potato tortilla that they wrap around the hot dog. There was Norwegian-made potato salad as well. The Penn State students started a good game of sand football.
A number of the HotPay scientists had arrived in time for the BBQ (most of them will be arriving Tuesday and Wednesday). Our rocket is being launched in coordination with the Hotel Payload, also known as HotPay, rocket, which is measuring noctilucent clouds as well. We hope to launch our rocket within 30 minutes of when they launch, but details of the specific launch coordination will be determined in the next few days.
In the late hours of the evening, after the BBQ, four Penn State students participated in a tradition of two Norwegian students. Every time these two Norwegian students travel to Andoya for an ESPRIT meeting or with their university, they always go into the sauna for a while before making the trip to the water for a quick swim, and then back to the sauna. The sauna was turned up to a nice steamy temperature where we all warmed before the swim in the Arctic Ocean. We quickly ran into the ocean, swam around a bit, and then came back out to dry off. The water temperature was in the low 40s F. Because of the sauna trip, the water was cold, but not as cold as I expected, and it actually felt warm when we got out of the water, where the air temperature was in the 60s F. We then went back into the sauna to warm up after the cold.
Andenes, Norway (June 18, 2006)—Today began with our first daily all-hands meeting. At this meeting every morning we discuss the progress from the previous day as well as what will be completed today. This allows everyone to know what is going on during the day to plan their work. Control of the payload is extremely important because the payload has already passed vibration testing that simulates the vibrations and acceleration forces of launch. Every time we take an experiment off the payload, we lose the knowledge that the experiment or connector was connected properly for the vibrations. We have a few people working on removing experiments to help with the control of what is taken off.
This afternoon two other Penn State students and I sat in on a pre-flight meeting for another rocket campaign, Mini Dusty, that is active at the range at the same time as ours. The rocket is a small little payload with one science experiment. There are two launches scheduled during this week, but the 12th and 13th rockets to fly with the experiments. The payload is about three inches in diameter, and about a yard long. The rocket has one stage that will fly to about 100 km (60 miles) in altitude. The experiment is studying Polar Mesospheric Summer Echoes (PMSE), which is similar to an experiment on our rocket. The rocket motor is also a new Indian motor that has not flown before, so they are testing the motor and the separation mechanism. Sitting in on this meeting allowed the three of us to learn what their rocket was studying, as well as to know what will happen when we get to our pre-flight meeting later this week.
They began the three-hour practice countdown at 4:00 p.m. and then went to a live countdown at 7:00 p.m. As of midnight, the Mini Dusty rocket was still sitting on the pad, waiting for the science conditions to improve.
Andenes, Norway (June 17, 2006)—Today ten students met in Oslo after flights over the Atlantic. The plane that was leaving from Oslo for Narvik did not leave until 11:20 p.m., so many of the students spent the day in Oslo if time permitted from their arriving flight from the United States. Others had already traveled to Europe and joined the crew in the airport.
The flight from Oslo to Narvik was a little under two hours, and after we took off we watched the sun rise in the west. We won’t see it set again for the rest of our duration at the rocket range!
Once we arrived at the Narvik Airport, we had a three and a half hour bus ride to the Andoya Rocket Range in Andenes, Norway. Most of the students stayed awake for the majority of the bus ride due to the sun being up. We arrived at the rocket range around 4:30 a.m. to quickly get room keys and fall asleep for some time before having to wake up.
The temperature upon arrival was 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees F). The amount of time it took us to travel to the range shows its remote location in Norway. It is located at 69 degrees North latitude, a prime area for studying the atmosphere in polar conditions (more on this later).
Breakfast was served at 9:00 a.m., which a few brave souls attended before beginning work on the payload. The day was filled with checking out experiments, unpacking boxes from the shipment across the Atlantic, and becoming familiar with the rocket range. Everything made it fine.
The range was quiet today because of the weekend, but there was surprisingly more people working than what I expected due to a number of rocket launches in the next few weeks. This coming week there should be a number of small rockets that will be launched to look at particles in the atmosphere. They are carrying a small version of one of the experiments we have on our own rocket. This launch should be happening soon and will give us a good chance to see a launch other than our own and learn how the launch process will work.
In the evening we planned out the busy week for testing ahead of us, followed by a Norwegian dinner and some soccer. Students are still adjusting to the time, but only after the USA vs. Italy World Cup soccer game. |
