4-Aug-2021: Equipment installation work

Steven installing the frame for an instrument

We are in the equipment installation phase: the gondola and all the equipment have to be set up and mounted together. This is quite a big work, and has to be ready by the end of this week, because the possible flight window starts next week. Overall it goes well, and things start to take shape.

But there are some problems as well. We still did not get our luggage, and this becomes worrying because one of the instruments is there. One instrument missing can be a serious problem – not only because of that measurement not being done, but because it influences the weight and shape of the payload, with consequences for the certification. We still hope to get the luggage tomorrow…

Other than that, the place is very beautiful, and the weather is still nice. The sun is shining (also shining at 3 am, sleeping did not go that well). We found lots of blueberries (good) and many mosquitoes found us (bad). Let’s see what happens tomorrow.