Collaboration Across Cultures Global Astronomy: Collaboration Across Cultures
Jul 07, 2005

The bad weather continues

by XRS
A view from Kimotsuki-cho
Kevin sent me this picture taken from the town near the launch site. You can see the antennas up on the ridge above town. The town used to be called Uchinoura, but it merged with its neighbor at the beginning of the month. Now its called Kimotsuki-cho. At least it knows its new name. I have to wait until I get into orbit to learn mine

The bad weather continues, and is predicted to go on for a few more days. So the next launch attempt will be on Sundy July 10 (11:30 PM EDT on July 9). You can view the launch on the web by going to http://en.jaxa.tv/. The page is in English, but the commentary during the launch probably won't be. But, hey, “san … ni … ichi … uchiage” should be obvious!

Sunday is far enough away that the Goddard team will come and top off my helium tank in the next day or two. Gotta launch with as much liquid helium as possible, so I can last as long as possible once in space. There aren't any gas stations I can stop at once I'm up there!