The team hit the ground running Saturday. Some mission are planned years in advance. Others come in out of the blue. An unexpected opportunity has presented itself and it looks like we have two high rack flights due in short order. We are using the Away 38 system set for one vehicle and replicating it for the other. Here’s what we got done:
Two High Rack frames were assembled.
Parts were cutout for the parachute deployment basket.
We assembled a complete downlink tracking system. This has an upgrade (i.e. new cable harnesses had to be built). We were able to qualify new Trimble GPS units on the last flight. This lets us retire our old Motorola units. They served us well, but they’re over ten years old and getting a bit touchy. Also they are a quite power hogs compared to the new units.
Sewed more loops for the Ascender rib pressure test this coming Wednesday.
A new main controller insulated housing got made and the one from Away 38 patched.
Anthony and a High Rack frame.