Here are some photos from the 24 August 2001 FINAL FINAL Integration Meeting.

Tony N5RPQ and Pete KD5ELH prep the final subsystems in the main payload. In other words, armed with a roll of double-sided tape, they stuff the last pieces into the puzzle.


OK, so we think it's ready! All of the parts are in place, and we are ready for the final "full-up" test.

Bill WA5VQH came down from Los Alamos, NM, just to witness the awesome technology in BLT-18. Mike WA5TWT provides a demo of his GPS data acquisition and display ground system.

Richard W5SXD provided the components for the 1.2 GHz ATV system. He's here to qualify signal quality and make sure we don't break his stuff.

Mike WA5TWT got his system set up and running in the back of his chase vehicle for the "full-up" test. The data is looking really good!

This alien from the planet MIKEY approves of the relocation of the 1.2 GHz ATV transmitter module. She told us via telepathy that it's previous proximity to the power amplifier was causing serious problems. We accepted the warnings and made appropriate corrections.

YOWSA! The main payload is running off the 15 VDC umbilical power system, and EVERYTHING looks super! Data is good, video is good, the cross-band repeater works and the cut-down system is firing properly on every test. We're ready to "Let It GO!"

Launch is scheduled for 10 AM on August 25, 2001 from the Wharton Regional Airport. Be There!!!