CREAM Flight 2009
Pathfinder launch
- Details
As shown below in the SITREP, there will be a pathfinder launch today.
The vortex is setting quickly this season. We now have 3 mb data as posted on the album. Currently the launch pad is in preparation. Danny's assessment is that the circulation will be set up about the time the pad is ready. A lot of things need to come together for the launch condition to be met, but it is not inconceivable that the CREAM launch would take place over the holiday weekend. Obviously, we want to be flight ready not to miss any possible launch opportunity.
So, SOC shift schedule should cover this coming Sunday on and operators should standby for the further notice.
Eun-Suk
We wish us a polar vortex
- Details
http://www.csbf.nasa.gov/map/pathfinder/p1/test/balloon1.htm
Danny thinks I would have problems making a living as a songwriter, but I still like our song:
We wish us a polar vortex:
We wish us a polar vortex.
We wish us a polar vortex.
And the longest flight.
(To the tune of “We wish you a Merry Chistmas”)
Happy Thanksgiving to All,
Eun-Suk
From McMurdo station 2009 Nov. 23rd (Mon) NZT
- Details
Eun-Suk,
Here are what have happened after the last report. All of times here are NZT unless otherwise specified.
MooHyun
Here are what have happened after the last report. All of times here are NZT unless otherwise specified.
- From the morning, we have started the flight mode operation through LOS connection using SFC2. Confirmed that the flight mode is working the same way as before.
- In the morning, the payload was prepared for the hang test by having all the side walls and heat panels mounted. Also final cabling works were done.
- In parallel, the SIP connection was prepared in CSBF OCC and Ice ROCC.
- The payload moved out to the deck at around 12:40 PM and being prepared for the hang test.
- From about 3 PM, the payload was in the hang test position.
- There was a kind personal weather briefing by Ross at around 3 PM. Expect good weather in Tuesday AM. But see a wind coming from Tuesday late afternoon. The weather briefing slide and images are uploaded in the black board.
- Until about 5:20 PM, when the test was stopped, the CPT with the SIP and E2E (End to End, ICE to UMD SOC) test were completed. And he summary log file is in the following link. https://elms.umd.edu/webapps/lobj-wiki-bb_bb60/wiki/CMPS_RGR_CRPG/course/Home?cmd=GetImage&systemId=CPT_withSIP_20091123__0.xls
- The CPT with the SIP was successful. But during the E2E test with UMD SOC and CSBF OCC, there were some number of occasions that the connections were not working well even though UMD SOC could be trained well in different connection modes.
- I heard from Chris that there is a LOS receiver that need to be replaced and tested before the next hang test.
- Hang test combined with the connection test. (Tue.) Possible from 9 AM (NZT) / 3 PM ( EST)
- TCD/CD housekeeping data long-term stability check.
- Calorimeter SPAR noisy behavior study.
- Takes photos for the recovery plan manual update. (by Nov. 30th)
MooHyun
From McMurdo station 2009 Nov. 21st (Sat) NZT
- Details
Eun-Suk,
Here are what have happened after the last report.
- This morning, the instrument only CPT was completed at around 9 AM.
- Before turning off the SFC1 and turning on the SFC2, we took 20 k muon events with a new HV script from the TCD group for a tuning of PMT6. The data was copied to the cdps3 for Tyler to check it. He sent another HV script after an analysis of the data. With the new script, Another 20 k muon events were taken at the end of the day and copied to the cdps3.
- After the muon run, all instruments and SFC1 were shutdown. And the SFC2 was turned on.
- The SFC2 CPT (SFC only) completed.
- A set of bSCD peak hold delay scan runs was done still with a direct Ethernet connection from the SFC2 to the Client PCs. There was a delay in the t/bSCD phd scan runs yesterday and stopped in the middle of the bSCD phd scan run. In this time, there was no delays in the runs. This is one item to be investigated further for future integrations.
- From 12:30 PM, the CPT with the SIP (Instrument LPT + flight modes in a few different SIP power modes) through LOS transmitter has started.
- The LOS connection was not stable. Scott came from time to time to tune the receiver and then the connection worked better. But we heard from Scott that the LOS receiver need to be tuned for different transfer rates. Scott has tuned almost continuously for different rates in the integration and tests at the CSBF whenever we reported transfer errors. The commanding was OK. Even though we can manage to use the LOS this time, it needs some more discussion for the future improvements such as pre-amble data or a hardware converter from a serial data to a bit format data.
- During the CPT, we tried different transfer rates and see the connection qualities. Wrote in the LPT document the right parameters for different runs. For example, the CAL LED run seems to be OK with the input frequency of 13 (~ 0.5 Hz).
- From 3 PM, there was a weather briefing for the first time in this season at the Galley. Ross presented a nice slide show on a nice 40 " LCD monitor. Expect a good weathers on Monday PM for ULDB hang test and Tuesday PM for CREAM hang test. But see a storm coming from Wednesday. Also for a possible ULDB launch, the 30th seems a candidate when the vortex is expecting to be near the McMurdo assuming the ground weather is good for the launch. But the vortex on the 30th is not good yet for the CREAM.
- After the weather briefing, we did more CPT and finished up to the CAL LED run.
- Most of solar panels are now mounted. Cabling for antennas and solar panels were also started.
- Rotator tests with a load bar were under progress.
Here are things planned for tomorrow and future.
- CPT with SIP continues. (Sun.)
- Flight Requirement Meeting. (Sun)
- Local TDRSS/IRIDIUM test. (Mon.)
- Connection test with UMD SOC via TDRSS/IRIDIUM. (Mon.) For the TDRSS test, it can only start from 1 PM (NZT)/ 7 PM Sun (EST) due to the satellite visibility at the Willie Field. For the IRIDIUM test, it can starts from 9 AM (NZT) / 3 Sun PM (EST).
- Hang test. (Tue. 24th)
- TCD/CD housekeeping data long-term stability check.
- Calorimeter SPAR noisy behavior study.
- Takes photos for the recovery plan manual update. (by Nov. 30th)
Please let me know if you have any questions/comments.
MooHyun
From McMurdo station 2009 Nov. 18th (Wed) NZT]
- Details
Eun-Suk,
Here are what have happened after the last report.
MooHyun
Here are what have happened after the last report.
- The data/command flow errors in the connection through a serial ports were debugged.
- The software side was checked by looking at packets in a direct connection between the SFC1 and RESI (Remote Ethernet Serial Interface) PC. It confirmed working OK.
- The hard ware side was checked by looking at the data in a direct connection between computers through the switch. It confirmed working OK.
- At the end, it is found that an serial connector connected at the RESI side was a wrong type connector. Instead of a null type, it was a straight type.
- After changing the connector, the data/command flow were checked and confirmed working fine at about 87 kbps of data rate. Commands were also sent through both COMM1 and COMM2 w/o any problems. This was done through the real LOS antenna at the SIP and receiver at the TM building was tuned.
- Now the new serial ports switch has been confirmed as working properly in the same performance as in the CSBF. Also the receiver was tuned for the launch operation.
- The SIP power module was installed underneath the pallet.
- The CPT has started this afternoon and ended at the Master Trigger test in section 9-i-iii. Remaining test will be done tomorrow.
- CPT continue. (Thu.)
- TCD PMT6 work. (Thu.)
- TCD/CD housekeeping data long-term stability check.
- Local TDRSS/IRIDIUM test. (Thu.)
- Connection test with UMD SOC via TDRSS/IRIDIUM. (Fri.) For the TDRSS test, it can only start from 1 PM (NZT)/ 7 PM (EST) due to the satellite visibility at the Willie Field. For the IRIDIUM test, it can be done from 9 AM (NZT) / 3 PM (EST).
- Hang test. (Sat./Sun.?) Can UMD SOC support the hang test on Saturday (EST) ?
- Calorimeter SPAR noisy behavior study.
- Takes photos for the recovery plan manual update. (by Nov. 30th)
MooHyun
