Transit Day 15 – King Neptune

After yesterday’s activities the teams are fully engaged in reviewing the large amount of data compiled during the 6 hours of pre-launch processing and flight of the Zenit-3SL launch vehicle. It is a very time-consuming task as you are looking for anything in the data that is unexpected no matter how trivial it may seem.  If anything is found it will be fully investigated to determine why it occurred and if necessary develop necessary corrective actions to prevent its reoccurrence.  For those who have experience in this business it is not only the big things that can have an adverse effect on the outcome of your launch but it is the multitude of little things that can go wrong that can basically just ruin your day.

To bring some perspective to the necessity to perform these detailed reviews think of it in terms of your automobile.  Today’s automobiles are extremely complex with miles of electrical wires running throughout, valves that control hydraulics and vacuum systems, computers that control everything from whether you are wearing your seat belt to the amount of fuel that is consumed by your engine, accelerometers that detect collisions in time to activate safety systems such as airbags.  The computer monitors the automobiles performance and it can tell you when you need to go in for regular service or when that annoying “Check Engine” light comes on and you must take it in to diagnose the problem, implement corrective measures and ultimately get you back on the road within a day or two with no other consequence than your wallet is significantly lighter.     The launch vehicle is not so much different than your automobile in that it has miles of electrical wires, computers, valves, accelerometers etc. that all need to perform in a specified sequence to ensure a positive outcome on your launch.  The most significant difference from your automobile is that if the “Check Engine” light comes on during flight you do not get an opportunity to fly it into the dealer for service.  As a result many of the critical systems on the launch vehicle have redundancy built into them such that if the primary systems experiences a problem the backup system takes over finishes the job.  Although not all systems have backups such as the main engines and various propellant systems.  It is for this reason that we only get one chance at success, once the command is initiated to ignite the main engine and liftoff takes place there is no turning back or into a service station for repair along the way.  Your destiny is controlled by the machine, its design and the due diligence you put into understanding the behavior of your system including any prior issues or concerns.  This process, although simply defined, is the essence of “Mission Assurance.”  As part of the mission assurance process there are a number of different reports our team is required to submit to the customer, government agencies, and Mission Director over the next 60 days.  The team will spend the return trip having inter-team meetings to discuss overall performance within their respective systems and interfaces.  Following the inter-team meetings we conduct various integrated meetings to discuss our findings and develop lessons learned and various action plans to address any issues.   Today the teams are busy putting final touches on the 48 hour post launch quick look report. 

In between report writing, King Neptune graced us with his presence to properly welcome those sailors aboard the ACS that had crossed the equator for the first time.  King Neptune and his court arrived on the ACS in the middle of a torrential rain and summoned all of the Slimy “Pollywogs” to his court to be properly baptized.  Once baptized the Slimy Pollywog becomes a Trusty Shellback and official Son of King Neptune.  Overall there were approximately 15 baptized for the first crossing from all segments and customers.  Congratulations Shellbacks and welcome to Neptunes kingdom!

 Although the actual ceremony is extremely confidential and rarely photographed for public viewing an unnamed customer represenative was able to sneak a photo before being escorted off for treatment by the Doctor...

In honor of Sea Launch’s continued dedication and respect for the high seas and its continued offering of respected Pollywog for baptism, King Neptune provided a feast of the fruits of the ocean.  Chef Geir and the catering team truly out did themselves tonight in putting on this spectacular feast, see for yourself.

 

The Fruits of the Sea...

Whole Salmon

Plenty of Shrimp

A Pineapple Palm...

Fresh made Gravlox...

Tucan on its watermelon perch...

Deviled Eggs & Shrimp

Zenit 3SL in Cake...

 

 

1st Cook Peter Navarro putting final touches on fruit display...

Baker Celestino Buladaco contributes some bread art...

Little Drummer Boy...

Bright Ice Art...

Sweet Pepper Flowers...

Melon Face Cheese Plate...

All Fruit Carvings by 1st Cook Peter Navarro...

 

The Catering Team making it all happen...