Launch Tomorrow! This is really it!

Well, as of when I left work today, everything is "Green" for launch tomorrow! Including a fabulous weather forecast at Vandenberg, the launch site.

If you're not doing anything else exciting at 2:50pm EDT Saturday afternoon, watch the launch feed live at either:

http://launch.geoeye.com/ or http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/space/bls/missions/335/

I believe they start broadcasting at least 30 minutes before launch time.

If you're watching, one of the neat things you'll see is Dave, my significant other. The live video usually includes shots of the Launch Control Center and that's where Dave will be - in the front row. I'm back at the Satellite Operations Center in our HQ building in Virginia. They don't show us. :)

Assuming everything is nominal, this might be my last blog post for a while since I'll be too busy to get any writing time. I go into work at around 7am and don't pop out till probably 9pm and no matter what, there will be some long days ahead as we check out the satellite. Imaging activities don't occur right away - there's a lot to do to make sure everything is working right before we can turn on the camera.

Here's a great picture of the satellite on top of the rocket. Yes, I know if looks like it's on the floor, but that floor is several stories up in fact. This pic was shot less than two weeks ago.

More neat pics can be found here: http://launch.geoeye.com/LaunchSite/about/gallery.aspx

So it's off to bed for me... wish us luck!

Dear Universe: Stop Laughing & Let Us Launch Our Satellite!

Yes, the universe - she is laughing at us I think.

After yesterday;s blog post, I went to bed last night and we really were 3 days from launch. I woke up this morning to discover that Hurricane Hanna was threatening to add a delay. Could it be? Could a hurricane off the coast of Florida that seemed to be loosing steam have any effect on our launch from Vandenberg, CA?

Here's the PR that came out this afternoon:
GeoEye-1 Satellite Launch Slips Due to Hurricane Hanna Impacting Launch Crew Availability

It's perfectly normal for weather to delay a launch by a day or two or three... but this is the first time I've heard of a launch on one coast being delayed by weather on the other coast.

Professionally - I'm fascinated and this is going to be a launch campaign to remember!

Stay tuned to Weather Underground for the latest hurricane tracking maps! And if you have any sway with Mother Nature and The Universe, tell them it's not funny anymore! :)

GeoEye-1 launch - just under 3 days!

It's been an interesting month! A slight delay from Aug 22nd to Sept 4th, yes, but right now we're just getting ready for the big day - this Thursday - when a Delta II lifts GeoEye-1 into orbit! Yee ha!

I can't tell you how excited I am! For so many reasons:

1. This is the first launch I've worked in 10 years


2. I've been on this project for almost 4 years - it's time!


3. We're going to take some super cool, color pictures!


4. A lot of them will be visible on Google. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washbizblog/2008/08/geoeye_signs_deal_with_google.html
   http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10028842-93.html


5. I'll have more free time to work on my other geeky projects. :)
   

I believe that the picture to the right was taken the day I was there or just before. Since then, the satellite has been put on top and covered in the fairing. Unfortunately, I can't show any pics of that - everyone will see the completed rocket when the tower rolls back for the last time on Thursday.

Remember that you, too, can watch the launch live on Thursday:

http://launch.geoeye.com/LaunchSite/

You won't see me... any of the camera shots into what looks like a control center is the launch control center in California. I'm back at our HQ in Dulles, VA.

Wish us luck!