Hi Patti,
The questions the kids ask are fantastic, everyone at the
range has been reading them. It's become a regular topic
in the nightly conversations!!
In case you are wondering about our current launch
status, we have been counting for three nights now. Counting
meaning waiting with all systems ready for the proper science
and launch conditions. We have observers in remote locations
that contact us when they see the clouds, and they have seen
them for the past two nights but we have been socked in here
with low clouds and a wind sheer that would push the rocket out
of acceptable limits. Tonight the winds are low and the skies
are clear but there are forest fires. The fires are currently
about 19 miles from where the nominal impact point for the payload
would be and since the wind could cause the parachute to drift
and the fire could spread more, we don't want to take the chance.
If you have any more questions, you know where to find us.
I hope we can all get together after we return next month. ; )
Bill Miasek