National Aeronautics and Space Administration

No one told me I’d have to do gymnastics! Today the team made me stand on my head while they installed the set of filters on top of the neon dewar. Scott said they do it this way so that in case they drop one, it will just fall back into the technician’s hand, instead of inside the dewar (where they wouldn’t be able to get to it).

They have a special tool to install them. They put a filter on top of this tool and reach inside the aperture cyclinder they installed a couple days ago. Then they turn it, and the filter drops into place with a click.

But it all went very smoothly, and it only tickled a little. Next step is to pump down the neon dewar, and start checking for any leaks. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

They’re back! My friends from Goddard are back here this week! We had lots of catching up to do. I had to let them know that my Japanese hosts have been taking good care of me. My friend from Goddard, Juli, said everything back home was good, but noisy. The cicadas are out for their once every 17 year bug-fest. I’m not sure whether I’m glad I missed it or not!

So the big job this week is to install the filters. These filters help protect me from the warm environment of the satellite and from space (Yes – I’m colder than space!). So they block infrared radiation. They also block ultraviolet light that comes from the earth once I’m up in orbit. This way, I’ll see only x-rays. Today, they inspected the filters and the special tools they use to install them. Everything checked out.

OK, the neon dewar is done, and here I am. I’m deep inside this thing, safe and secure (but fully aware of my surroundings!)

Hey, No R2D2 jokes! I don’t twitter and I definitely don’t serve drinks!