GAINS Payload awaits its curtain call
Pibal fill at dawn's early light
Ground station for receiving VHF and UHF APRS trackers
Under the skirts, the turbine pump in the center
The ballast balloon and GAINS payload suspended from the launch arm. Note
the deflated latex bladder at the bottom of the spectra shell.
Combining three helium tanks to one fill tube. Note the frost caused by the
helium expansion.
Last minute checks
Seconds after release, payload still awaiting its tug
Start of launch anomaly where the payload swung down and hit the ground
before final liftoff. This impact damaged the ATV and destroyed the
telemetry antenna.
Heading east
Temporary antenna farm at Meadow Lake Airport