Rocket from the Future - CaNoRock 3

Well, it's all over now. I'm back in Canada, well-rested, and ready to find and tackle the next challenge. However, I have definitely left everyone who has been reading this hanging. I'm sorry about my lack of blogging since the day before the launch. Hopefully, this entry will fill in the holes, and get you all caught up. To start with, here is a link to the video of the launch. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNTxpSt_o3g

So, the last time I posted anything, we were awaiting the launch day. Thursday morning arrived, and the mood was quite tense. Weather reports indicated that there could be heavy winds - possibly enough to scrub the launch. Even worse, the weather for Friday was looking much harsher. But, there was nothing else to do but prepare for the launch, and hope for the best. So, we started the day off with the CaNoRock Inception ceremony, where the agreement between some of the involved Universities (Saskatchewan, Alberta, Calgary, Oslo, and Tromso) was signed. This meeting was attended by the Canadian Ambassador to Norway, and the same group of dignitaries that were at the meeting I wrote about earlier. Then, we had a quick pre-launch meeting, where we learned that wind conditions were acceptable, and looked to stay that way for the next little while. We also were all able to report that all systems were go, and headed off to our various positions.

My position was in the launch control tower, as the head of operations. My job was to coordinate the items on the launch checklist, and communications with all members of the team. I was able to start the countdown, and gave clearances for all activities. One note, however. We had a bit of a mistake prior to the launch. In testing and verifying the countdown, my supervisor turned off the voiced countdown. Neither of us noticed that the countdown was unvoiced as we got to T minus 1 minute. The result of this was that there was no audible countdown over the intercom. Unfortunately, not many people were able to get photos of the launch as a result. Several people actually were not able to see the launch at all because of this.

Prior to launching the rocket, a weather balloon was launched, to give a more accurate wind profile. Then, the road was shut down (see the video below to see why), and we prepared the rocket. Once everything was ready, and all stations reported that we were good to go, our pad supervisor, Katherine Evans, when the count reached zero, pushed the red button, and launched the rocket. The happened at 10:07:00, UST. In the tower with me, the launch control supervisor, and the safety officer, were the ambassador and the head of education for the Canadian Space Agency. As you saw in the video above, the launch was a success!! It reach a height of over 9km, traveling almost 7 km, before hitting the ocean after about 80 seconds of flight time. Thus began a frenetic period of preparing reports, analyzing data, and high-fiving. What a rush!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9HKFA5KiLo

Posted by sdb618 at 06:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wow! After a very full day, I find myself blogging at the beginning of launch day. We are at T-minus about 4 hours. But before I get started on my most exciting day, I will spend a little time catching you up with what happened yesterday.
The day started, for the rocket group with a very nice demonstration of our amazing skills as we launched our model rockets. As always, I will be trying to get some of the evidence up ASAP. One group managed to fire a rocket, carrying an egg, and was able to retrieve it without it breaking. Two of the teams had problems with their parachutes opening, and my rocket had an excellent flight, with a nice parachute opening, but it landed in the ocean, and drifted away. Later in the day, we also were able to launch a weather balloon, which got to a height of 25km before bursting (where there were hurricane winds, at about -50 degrees C). We got an excellent set of data from the baloon, which was very nice. In the evening, we helped demonstrate a hybrid rocket engine, which essentially burns a plastic tube, with NO2.
Towards the end of the evening, I was able to deliver a very short talk, along with my new friend Julia, from Bergen, about the CaNoRock program, and our experiences, to a group that included:
- The Canadian ambassador to Norway
- Head of education for the Canadian Space Agency
- Vice-President of research for U of A
- Governor of the County Nordland
- Mayor of Andøy
- Director and Deputy Director of Norwegian Space Center
- Rector (head) of University of Oslo
- two Deans (education and research) of Oslo
- Director of research and development from University of Tromsø
- Head of Physics department, Tromsø
- and more. But, I have to go to breakfast...

It was very nerve-racking, but, from all reports, the talks went extremely well. Thanks, RCM 300.

Here is where there is a large number of unsorted pictures from one of the range people:

http://folk.uio.no/njaalg/bilder/canorock3/
(note that these are very large image files)

Posted by sdb618 at 07:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, today was one of the busiest days, so far. That being said, today we ended up having to forgo a couple of really cool things. But, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. So, let's start at the beginning...

For the record, I don't like jet-lag. Another sub-standard night of sleep, and my day (awesome as it was) seemed to have been viewed through a dense fog of slightly stupid. At the beginning of the day, we were all assigned to our teams. Everyone seems quite happy with their team assignment, including me. I was able to get into the rocket and atmospheric physics group. There are also teams for the experimental leaders, the payload, and telemetry. Once this was taken care of, we were split into pairs for a paper rocket lauch and competition. This was really fun, as we worked to design a rocket out of heavy paper to be launched by pressurized air. The winning team was Chad and Sarah, from the University of Saskatchewan, who launched their rocket, "Sach-1" a distance of 95m. Way to go, guys!

Chad preparing to demolish the competition.

After the morning fruit snack, which consisted of fruit of more pedestrian size, we were split into our groups, and began to learn about what we need to know to be able to launch a rocket. How cool is that. I also was able to get myself named to the position of Head of Operations for the launch, which is pretty freakin' cool. This means I get to sit in the control tower, and bark at people over the intercom. It also made me a fairly obvious target when they were looking for people to speak at the reception tomorrow night, when the heads of several Norwegian universities, the Canadian Ambassador to Norway, the mayor of Andoyenne, and other dignitaries will be visiting the range. So, there will be a brief presentation by me, and one of the Norwegian students, Julia.

Most of the afternoon was spent working on model rockets, which we will be launching tomorrow. Unfortunately, due to some of the renovation activity going on at the range, we were unable to stage the balloon launch which was planned for the afternoon. On the positive side, however, it did give us more time to prepare for the model rocket launches, which we are getting pretty excited about. Props to the guys who are building the screamer. It is rated at a skill level of 3, as opposed to the skill level 1 which everyone else is struggling with.

This has already been a fantastic experience, with more to follow. We have a lot more pictures, some of which will make it to the blog. Some you will have to ask us to see. Some may never see the light of day...

This road shows why I consider Andennes to be the "Ice World" level

Posted by sdb618 at 11:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here is the picture of the ginormous grape I blogged about earlier.

The buildings at the range. You might be able to make out the mountains in the background...

So, if you are ever trying to import a rocket launcher, the way to get through customs is to call it a crane...

What can I say about this?

"Hey everybody! Show me your paper rockets!"

Before the launch of Sach-1

Before the launch of Stephe (this is me and Stephanie, from the University of Saskatchewan)

After the paper rocket contest. All hail the conquering heroes!

Posted by sdb618 at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So here I am, 7 hours into the future, about to start my second day of rocket school. I haven't had a chance to tell all o'yall about the first day, so, thanks to my inability to sleep, I have a perfect opportunity!

The first day was great. As soon as I am able to, I will get a hold of the pictures (probably too many), and get them posted for you to take a look at. We spent a large part of the day going from lecture to lecture, and tour to tour, learning about what we will be doing, and what it would be possible to do, if we decide to do research for the professors who are on the trip. It may seem surprising, but listening to lectures while jet-lagged does NOT help. Apologies to Ian Mann, whose excellent lecture may have been cut short a bit by my incredibly rude snoring. That is a slight exaggeration. For the record, I have decided that I want the position of Head of Operations for the CaNoRock launch. We spent the rest of our time eating. I am not lying. They fed us 5 times yesterday. I think it was 6, if you include the snacks we had with the very nice Danish beers.

Between me showing up late for the first lecture (while two students who will remain unnamed slept through the first two), the experience with the Brobningnagian grapes (pictures to follow), and various comments and actions from Kathryn "D-Move" McWilliams, you can rest assured that the University of Saskatchewan has covered itself with glory (I'm pretty sure its glory) because of our representation so far this week.

On the tour. Here is one of the older launcher builidings. The whole roof slides open, and the launcher (or crane, depending on whether you are attempting to import at the time) is raised up, and adjusted to the right angle.

- Steven Bachiu

Posted by sdb618 at 07:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So, at the time of the last entry, we had just straggled into the rocket base, cold, wet, and without any clothes. Well, that's a bit of an exageration, since we had gone on a shopping spree at the Oslo airport (which should hopefully be covered by Scandanavian Airlines. Love you guys!) Note to everyone out there - the Oslo airport is NOT a cheap place to buy clothes. Over $200 for a sweater, a t-shirt, some socks and a couple pairs of underwear?

Also, we were dry, and warm. But, we didn't have our luggage. I guess that was the main thrust of what I was saying.

However, last night, as the first of the Norwegian students arrived, we received the joyous news that our luggage had indeed arrived at the airport, and would be with us soon. Immediately after this, a courier arrived with 3 of the 4 missing bags (sorry Chad). Once Sarah, Kathryn and I finished our "pee-your-pants-happy-dance" we all immediately went, and changed into clean clothes. What a joy.

Anyway, our first day of rocket school is about to start. I'm partly rested, fully-clothed, and ready to launch something. Let me at 'em, coach!

- Steven Bachiu

Posted by sdb618 at 06:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, I am writing this blog (blogging this blog?) while sitting in a computer room at the Andoye rocket range. Outside, even though it is only 2:30, the last of the day's "light" is fading away. Around noon, as our flight came in, a sunrise/sunset was visible, but that was the day's natural light. In case anyone is wondering, the countryside is absolutely beautiful, and I fully intend to spend the rest of my natural life "pining for the fjords".
Well, I don't have anything significantly useful to add, so, it's time to wrap things up. Later, peeps.

Here is the plane we took the short jump from Tromsø to Andennes in.

Goodbye Tromsø...

...hello rocket range!!!

Posted by sdb618 at 07:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, it is 5AM on Sunday, and I'm wide awake. So, I decided I should take advantage of this bounty of time provided by jet-lag to share with you the story of how I came to be in Oslo, Norway this morning, wearing and (extra) white t-shirt, and filthy everything else.
The journey began back in Saskatoon, Friday afternoon. I caught a ride with Professor McWilliams to the airport, at a little after 2 for our 4:30 flight to Calgary, where we would then transfer to London. We were anticipating a leisurely wait at the airport, and a pleasant, but uneventful flight to Oslo. However, as soon as we arrived at the airport, things began to unravel. First, we were informed that our flight to Calgary would be almost 2 hours late, which would have us arrive well after the flight to London would have left. So, we were informed that, if we could be ready to go in zero minutes, we could catch a flight to Toronto, with an immediate transfer to London. However, one of our group was not yet at the airport. Sarah Toderan was still en route. Would she make it in time, or would our merry band of travelers be split before the journey had begun? Well, it turns out she barely made it. As we sprinted across the Saskatoon terminal (admittedly, this is not a long sprint), fought our way through security (ask Dr McWilliams about her BMD), and managed to leap aboard the aircraft just before it pulled away, we grinned, believing that the worst was behind us.
When we arrived in Toronto, with me enriched by the experiencing of 2 episodes of Modern Family, I looked at the time to learn that we were deplaning about 4 minutes after the boarding time of our flight to London. So, there was nothing for it but another mad run across an airport, this time of much more menacing proportions, to catch a flight. In the end, we actually found ourselves with enough time to down a self-congratulatory pint before strutting about our airplane, smug in the knowledge that we had cheated fate, time and chance.
I was planning on spinning this out for a while, but here's the catch. Our luggage didn't make it to the flight to London. So, basically, I could have summed up this whole story by saying "Oh, my luggage got lost". I hope you enjoyed my way of telling it much more. So now, thanks to Scandanavian Airlines, I am dressed in a t-shirt from their overnight bag, wearing the deodorant (on the bottle, it honestly says "Extra-Whitening". I have no idea what to make of that. It also has twice the licorice extracts...)
Despite these inconveniences, and poor Sarah's cold...
THIS IS SO FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!!

- Steven Bachiu

Posted by sdb618 at 09:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have recently realized that I am traveling into the future by about 8 hours when I go to Norway. For this reason, I have decided that whenever I speak about what people are doing in Norway (or, anywhere in Europe), I will use the phrase "In the future, people..."

This is just fair warning, so you will understand future messages

- Steven Bachiu

Posted by sdb618 at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, it's the day before flying across the world, and I have done almost nothing to get ready. At some point in the future, I should probably start to worry. Meh, that's later's problem.
It is, however, high time to get excited. Who else decides to take a trip to the arctic circle in the middle of the winter. Shouldn't this trip be to the south pacific somewhere?
Anyway, this is a first entry in a chronicle of descent into madness, or at least mad-awesomeness. That's what I'm hoping for. So, if you are tuned, stay tuned to this blog to learn what it is like to travel to the top of the world to launch a rocket.
If you aren't tuned, then, well, aw, never mind.

- Steven Bachiu

Posted by sdb618 at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)