National Aeronautics and Space Administration

WOOHOO!! I’m finally on my spacecraft! They woke me up early this morning, because we all knew it would be a long and exciting day. My spacecraft had been sitting just down the hall for weeks now, and I was getting so impatient to hop on board. But today was the day.

They put me on first, and then they put on the frame for the telescopes. It’s called an ‘optical bench’, but it doesn’t look like a bench at all. It’s the framework that will keep everything aligned, so that I can see all of the cool stuff from the telescopes when I’m up in space.

Soon they’ll be adding the other instruments and telescopes and hardware. But for the moment, this is my ride. I’ve been waiting for this day for ages.

All my tests are done (at least for now), and the Goddard team is packing up. They make as much commotion leaving as they did coming! But I know they’ll be back.

At least Japan beat Canada in baseball for the Bronze medal!

We did the last vibration test this morning. This was the z axis – i.e. up and down. It not only vibrates, but there’s also a “thurst” test. So this is like getting a kick in the pants! But everything still checked out, so I’m ready for the next step.

Here’s a picture of me being moved after the vibration tests. The view was pretty good, but I was afraid they were going to do a drop test!

I guess all this is not unlike how astronauts have to train for space flight. They have to go through all these physicals and make sure they can tolerate the launch. I have to go through the same thing. All of this is to make sure that I work when I get into space. Alot of people are counting on me!

Now everyone is disappointed (not with me, fortunately). Japan’s baseball team in the Olympic tournament lost to Australia in the semi-final game. So the best they can get now is bronze.