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When I got my schedule for tomorrow, the reality of the launch hit me like the proverbial freight train: tomorrow is the last full day of work prior to launch. I am scheduled to work at 92A-50 from 8 am to 5 pm, after which my next assignment starts 10 hours later, at 3 am, when I report to a makeshift broadcast studio to get ready to provide audio coverage of the launch.
If the launch takes place, that is.
There was a meeting this evening, and everyone was there. The people in charge of the problem reported their status and expect to be have some tangible result by 8:30 am. A go/no-go decision may be made at 9:30 am, or the decision may be delayed if more consideration is needed.
"Irreversible operations" on the Russian side start at 2:47 pm. Another State Commission will convene at 7 pm to give a go/no-go for loading propellant on the launch vehicle.
* * * Later, while sitting outside enjoying the evening (it only just got really dark a few minutes ago... we're far enough north for that), Raphael was recalling how one launch campaign had dragged out for three months, and that by the end of that period, people had started to get on each other's nerves.
I took the occasion to remark that "шесть недель, это кампания, а три месяца, это уже срок" ("six weeks is a campaign, but three months is already like a jail sentence"). The remark elicited uproarious laughter among the Russians within earshot, not because my remark was witty, but because it betrayed just how American I am.
"Dear fellow," remarked one Russian, "in this country, three months is not a jail sentence. Ten years, now that's a jail sentence!"
I had to laugh along with everyone, though there was general acknowledgment that -- if we take American standards for what does and does not constitute incarceration -- I had a point.
Talking about turns of the phrase, the problem threatening the launch was described by one of the launch team members using an English source expression that is not generally suitable for mixed company, yet which also contained elements of a well-chosen pun. It is always difficult to render this kind of humor into another language (it generally doesn't work), although Raphael gave it his best shot by rendering it as "продувка жиклера французким методом." Regrettably, any further elaboration shall have to wait until the kids are asleep.
All in all, the situation looks much brighter tonight than it did this morning, so there is renewed confidence that the launch will go off as scheduled. Earlier this evening, I received the script of what I am to say during the broadcast coverage (the words are similar to that of last year's campaign, which prompted LJ friend![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
bandicoot to remark that I say "nominal" quite well when he replayed the video that ILS made available through their web site). I must be sure to tweak thw words a bit tomorrow during the day and practice the script a couple of times before materializing for show time.
Cheers...
If the launch takes place, that is.
There was a meeting this evening, and everyone was there. The people in charge of the problem reported their status and expect to be have some tangible result by 8:30 am. A go/no-go decision may be made at 9:30 am, or the decision may be delayed if more consideration is needed.
"Irreversible operations" on the Russian side start at 2:47 pm. Another State Commission will convene at 7 pm to give a go/no-go for loading propellant on the launch vehicle.
I took the occasion to remark that "шесть недель, это кампания, а три месяца, это уже срок" ("six weeks is a campaign, but three months is already like a jail sentence"). The remark elicited uproarious laughter among the Russians within earshot, not because my remark was witty, but because it betrayed just how American I am.
"Dear fellow," remarked one Russian, "in this country, three months is not a jail sentence. Ten years, now that's a jail sentence!"
I had to laugh along with everyone, though there was general acknowledgment that -- if we take American standards for what does and does not constitute incarceration -- I had a point.
Talking about turns of the phrase, the problem threatening the launch was described by one of the launch team members using an English source expression that is not generally suitable for mixed company, yet which also contained elements of a well-chosen pun. It is always difficult to render this kind of humor into another language (it generally doesn't work), although Raphael gave it his best shot by rendering it as "продувка жиклера французким методом." Regrettably, any further elaboration shall have to wait until the kids are asleep.
All in all, the situation looks much brighter tonight than it did this morning, so there is renewed confidence that the launch will go off as scheduled. Earlier this evening, I received the script of what I am to say during the broadcast coverage (the words are similar to that of last year's campaign, which prompted LJ friend
bandicoot to remark that I say "nominal" quite well when he replayed the video that ILS made available through their web site). I must be sure to tweak thw words a bit tomorrow during the day and practice the script a couple of times before materializing for show time.Cheers...
