Baikonur city 03/04/2010 - 16:54 (Suslik)
samedi 3 avril 2010
Russian Orthodox Church prepares for Easter
The Baikonur church actively prepared on Saturday 3/4 for the important Orthodox Feast tomorrow: Пасха. At the church entrance, on the right, the typical bread for Easter is on sale. Some pieces are bought and put as offers on the altar inside the church.
When entering the church, above the entrance door, a poster widely says: Христос Воскресе: Christ is resurrected.
In Russian language, the word resurrection (Воскресение) has been extended to the meaning of the 7th day of the week: so Воскресение means both Sunday and Resurrection. In French and Italian, Sunday is the day of the "Master'' based on the Latin root "Dominus", while in English and German it is the day of the Sun...
If the origin of the Russian population comes from Northern Europe, the religion has come from the South West and Greek Orthodox influence (Constantinople) in particular. The Cyrillic alphabet (based partly on the old Greek alphabet) has been created by the two Greek brothers Cyril and Methodius in the IXth century to translate (parts of) the Bible into Old Church Slavonic language. Note for instance the similarity between the Greek and the Russian spellings for the word Christ (Khristos): Χριστός in Greek and Христос in Russian...
Icon of Saint Cyril/Kirill/Кирилл holding the "Slavic"alphabet.
The outcome of all these efforts was the conversion of the Slavic people in the south to Christianity. Vladimir I of Kiev adopted the Byzantine Rite Christianity in 988, and later on Russia converted to the "Orthodox Christianity". Russian Orthodox Church is the main religion in Russia today.
Inside the church, a small shop sales candles, small icons, sorted by names, explaining the life of the saints, Easter chocolate (with the Baikonur St George church picture on the packaging), rings, crosses...
Everything is ready for the long Easter ceremony that will start this evening.
The grave of the Christ is well materialized and still covered with a mourning cloth,
In the afternoon, a young boy rehearses loudly the long texts (litanies?) he will have to read during the ceremony..., in the meantime, few people pray in the church, make offerings and lighten candles.
What is striking (for us) leaving the church is the size of the tank of "blessed water, which is drunk by quiet of a few of the attendees at the end of the mass.
The Easter ceremonies will start on 3/4 at 22:30 to end on 4/4 at 16:00.
vendredi 2 avril 2010
Soyuz TM-18 Launch
Aside CryoSat-2 launch preparation, a manned mission to the International Space Station (ISS) took off from Baikonur Cosmodrom Launch pad Nr.1 at 10:04 sharp this morning 02/04/2010. Two Russian cosmonauts (Alexander Skortsov, Mihail Kornienko) and one US woman astronaut (Tracy Caldwell Dyson) were on board the Soyuz TM-18 capsule.
CryoSat team was invited to see the astronauts when they left the Cosmonaut hotel (just behind the Sputnik Hotel) this morning at ca 4:00 am to prepare for the flight. The team also had the permission to see the launch of the Soyuz rocket.
Pass on the windscreen of the CryoSat-2 bus.
The attendance was very large, including Baikonur school pupils . This is normal for manned missions.
A debriefing team informed in real time the public about the main events of the Countdown (even long time after the launch).
A closer view of the rocket on the launch pad.
Credits: Klaus
... and few minutes before launch, when "arms'' are opened.
Credit: Klaus
Below is a short movie of the launch. It is (always) very impressive.
The booster separation was well visible.
This crew will be be one of the first to enjoy a new element of the ISS that has been integrated last February with one of the last American shuttle missions: the Cupola. This element will, among other purposes, increase the habitability of the ISS providing astronauts, thanks to the 7 large windows, beautiful and relaxing views on Earth and the cosmos.
After this successful and very beautiful launch, let's wish to this crew a very fruitful mission !
CryoSat team was invited to see the astronauts when they left the Cosmonaut hotel (just behind the Sputnik Hotel) this morning at ca 4:00 am to prepare for the flight. The team also had the permission to see the launch of the Soyuz rocket.
Pass on the windscreen of the CryoSat-2 bus.
The attendance was very large, including Baikonur school pupils . This is normal for manned missions.
A debriefing team informed in real time the public about the main events of the Countdown (even long time after the launch).
A closer view of the rocket on the launch pad.
Credits: Klaus
... and few minutes before launch, when "arms'' are opened.
Credit: Klaus
Below is a short movie of the launch. It is (always) very impressive.
The booster separation was well visible.
This crew will be be one of the first to enjoy a new element of the ISS that has been integrated last February with one of the last American shuttle missions: the Cupola. This element will, among other purposes, increase the habitability of the ISS providing astronauts, thanks to the 7 large windows, beautiful and relaxing views on Earth and the cosmos.
After this successful and very beautiful launch, let's wish to this crew a very fruitful mission !
jeudi 1 avril 2010
CryoSat-2 at the Silo
Launch-7 days
Activities planned for today have been successfully completed.
Again, not much more that was already said in Day-10:CS-2 travels to the Silo can be added.
The transport from MIK site 31 to Launch pad 109 was safely performed in 1 hour 15 minutes to run the 13.5 kilometers distance.
The convoy here is approaching the launch pad 109 (on the right).
Credits: Klaus
In parallel of this transport, the ESA/ASTRIUM team had to get the Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) and the NDIU (needed for the communication with the ESOC, the ESA control center in Darmstadt) down to the bunker. The few pictures below may show how inconvenient and risky this task is:
Approaching the Bunker entrance form the outside
Difficulty to pass through the bunker narrow door entrance
Descending the stair case (30 meters long) with 100kgs racks!
A pause between to levels
Finally all equipment successfully installed and connected!
The Spacecraft was successfully mated on the DNIEPR rocket as some Battery telemetry could already been read after the EGSE have been connected.
Next steps
Activities planned for today have been successfully completed.
Again, not much more that was already said in Day-10:CS-2 travels to the Silo can be added.
The transport from MIK site 31 to Launch pad 109 was safely performed in 1 hour 15 minutes to run the 13.5 kilometers distance.
The convoy here is approaching the launch pad 109 (on the right).
Credits: Klaus
In parallel of this transport, the ESA/ASTRIUM team had to get the Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) and the NDIU (needed for the communication with the ESOC, the ESA control center in Darmstadt) down to the bunker. The few pictures below may show how inconvenient and risky this task is:
Approaching the Bunker entrance form the outside
Difficulty to pass through the bunker narrow door entrance
Descending the stair case (30 meters long) with 100kgs racks!
A pause between to levels
Finally all equipment successfully installed and connected!
The Spacecraft was successfully mated on the DNIEPR rocket as some Battery telemetry could already been read after the EGSE have been connected.
Next steps
- Spacecraft will be powered on 02/04.
- Battery charging and usual telemetry measurements
- Dress rehearsal 6/04
mercredi 31 mars 2010
CS-2 ready for the Silo
Launch -8 days
CryoSat-2 has has now been in loaded on to the Crocodile as it was already done on February 12th. This activity was widely described in "the crocodile closes its jaws"
The similar operation today went smoothly.
This was the last picture shot today before ESA & ASTRIUM were not allowed to continue witnessing activities.
Next steps on 01/04 (hopefully not a joke) :
CryoSat-2 has has now been in loaded on to the Crocodile as it was already done on February 12th. This activity was widely described in "the crocodile closes its jaws"
The similar operation today went smoothly.
This was the last picture shot today before ESA & ASTRIUM were not allowed to continue witnessing activities.
Next steps on 01/04 (hopefully not a joke) :
- transport of the Spacecraft to the Silo
- transport of EGSE+NDIU to the bunker
Fairing
Yesterday, handling of the PayLoad Fairing (PLF= Part located at the upper tip of the rocket) permitted to get nice views of this element.
PLF will be mounted on the top of the black platforms A+B (already described in
Cryosat-2 fairing) and will cover the Gas Dynamic Shield (GDS) in white below.
The GDS covers the Spacecraft.
Here under is a nice view of the PLF after it was lifted and laid on the trolley used for its transport to the Silo.
PLF is still partly covered with the protection material needed for the road transport to the Silo.
The inside of the fairing (2 pictures below) shows the configuration of pyro elements that will:
Inside the PLF during lifting.
Inside the PLF when laying on its jig.
Here under is a closer view on the separation springs seen from the outside.
Note some red tag items still to be removed before flight at the silo.
The PLF will be transported to the Silo with same convoy as the spacecraft and will be integrated there. Therefore, there are unfortunately no pictures of the fully integrated "rocket head'' i.e. Platforms +PLF.
PLF will be mounted on the top of the black platforms A+B (already described in
Cryosat-2 fairing) and will cover the Gas Dynamic Shield (GDS) in white below.
The GDS covers the Spacecraft.
Here under is a nice view of the PLF after it was lifted and laid on the trolley used for its transport to the Silo.
PLF is still partly covered with the protection material needed for the road transport to the Silo.
The inside of the fairing (2 pictures below) shows the configuration of pyro elements that will:
- activate the separation springs (and eject the fairing from the launcher)
- split/tear the fairing in 2 pieces (pyros are located along the string in the middle)
Inside the PLF during lifting.
Inside the PLF when laying on its jig.
Here under is a closer view on the separation springs seen from the outside.
Note some red tag items still to be removed before flight at the silo.
The PLF will be transported to the Silo with same convoy as the spacecraft and will be integrated there. Therefore, there are unfortunately no pictures of the fully integrated "rocket head'' i.e. Platforms +PLF.
mardi 30 mars 2010
Things are moving again
Launch - 9 days.
Good news!: last electrical tests of the modified unit on the launcher were successfully completed this morning and green light was given to prepare CryoSat-2 (CS-2) to move to the silo.
For this transport:
As we have already done this activity in February (see CroySat-2 moves to the crocodile), there is nothing you don't know already :-). Let's try however to point a couple of new things...
Here under the encapsulated CS-2 is mated temporarily on a trolley that will be needed tomorrow to roll it up to the crocodile. What is new is the second (empty) SHM on the left. This SHM will be used in few week time for another launch campaign with a similar DNIEPR launcher. The Spacecraft will be this time a German Earth Observation Satellite called Tandem X. The mission is to measure land surface elevation with a high accuracy.
All precautions have been taken to prevent SHM mix up and make sure that the empty one won't go to the Silo on next Thursday!
Here below, a view on the 2 SHMs and the PLF (on the left):
In the background, in parallel, the ASTRIUM team continues packing... This activity is planned from long and has already started as it can't be done at the last minute after launch.
The PLF has also been put on its dedicated trolley for transport to the silo. The short movie shows Yuzhnoe team pushing it closer to the SHM.
Job has been completed for today.
...Time again to shot farewell pictures:
Here part of the Yuzhnoe team.
First lady on the right is the Yuzhnoe Product Assurance Representative
Then the ESA/ASTRIUM team.
Not to forget:
As promised, Yuzhnoe people kindly offered us a Ukrainian specialty to complement our lunch today. This was a tray of small pieces of bread covered with horse radish, calo (Сало), pickles and coriander leaves...
It was absolutely delicious and particularly indicated if we want to pick up a Sumo career!
Next short term steps:
Due to the fragility of this old hardware and the associated risks of the handling, ESA/ASTRIUM team (even if not yet a Sumo fighter team despite the calo supplement at lunch) decided to perform this task on its own (6 persons) and not to rely on external help. As you can imagine this will be a painful task/day that we would imagine in no case to repeat for a 3rd time!
Good news!: last electrical tests of the modified unit on the launcher were successfully completed this morning and green light was given to prepare CryoSat-2 (CS-2) to move to the silo.
For this transport:
- The Space Head Module (SHM) needs to be prepared for integration on the crocodile
- and the PayLoad Fairing (PLF) needs to be fitted on its dedicated trolley.
As we have already done this activity in February (see CroySat-2 moves to the crocodile), there is nothing you don't know already :-). Let's try however to point a couple of new things...
Here under the encapsulated CS-2 is mated temporarily on a trolley that will be needed tomorrow to roll it up to the crocodile. What is new is the second (empty) SHM on the left. This SHM will be used in few week time for another launch campaign with a similar DNIEPR launcher. The Spacecraft will be this time a German Earth Observation Satellite called Tandem X. The mission is to measure land surface elevation with a high accuracy.
All precautions have been taken to prevent SHM mix up and make sure that the empty one won't go to the Silo on next Thursday!
Here below, a view on the 2 SHMs and the PLF (on the left):
In the background, in parallel, the ASTRIUM team continues packing... This activity is planned from long and has already started as it can't be done at the last minute after launch.
The PLF has also been put on its dedicated trolley for transport to the silo. The short movie shows Yuzhnoe team pushing it closer to the SHM.
Job has been completed for today.
...Time again to shot farewell pictures:
Here part of the Yuzhnoe team.
First lady on the right is the Yuzhnoe Product Assurance Representative
Then the ESA/ASTRIUM team.
Not to forget:
As promised, Yuzhnoe people kindly offered us a Ukrainian specialty to complement our lunch today. This was a tray of small pieces of bread covered with horse radish, calo (Сало), pickles and coriander leaves...
It was absolutely delicious and particularly indicated if we want to pick up a Sumo career!
Next short term steps:
- 31/03 SHM to be integrated in the crocodile
- 01/04 transport of the SHM+PLF to the Silo and EGSE to the Bunker*!
Due to the fragility of this old hardware and the associated risks of the handling, ESA/ASTRIUM team (even if not yet a Sumo fighter team despite the calo supplement at lunch) decided to perform this task on its own (6 persons) and not to rely on external help. As you can imagine this will be a painful task/day that we would imagine in no case to repeat for a 3rd time!
lundi 29 mars 2010
Baikonurtsi Portraits
Gardener with an award*
Kazakh lady in the yurt during Nauryz
Woman saling wool handcraft items*
credits: Bill
Man at the fruit stand*
credits: Bill
Woman at the potatoes stand*
credits: Bill
Woman at the fruit stand*
credits: Bill
Woman at the fruit stand*
credits: Bill
Woman at the vegetable stand*
credits: Bill
Taxi driver
credits Bill
Kazakh teenagers friends on Korolev Avenue*
Kids playing
* distributed photo
Kazakh lady in the yurt during Nauryz
Woman saling wool handcraft items*
credits: Bill
Man at the fruit stand*
credits: Bill
Woman at the potatoes stand*
credits: Bill
Woman at the fruit stand*
credits: Bill
Woman at the fruit stand*
credits: Bill
Woman at the vegetable stand*
credits: Bill
Taxi driver
credits Bill
Kazakh teenagers friends on Korolev Avenue*
Kids playing
* distributed photo
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