Rollout...

For the third time in five campaigns, I rode the train from the upper stage fueling station to the pad, my purpose being mostly to stand by in case I am needed.

I got about as poor a night's sleep last night as one could get and actually still catch some Z's (I seem to recall an interval between 2:24 am and 4:18 am where I lost consciousness, not that was particularly paying attention to the time). It wasn't the prospect of riding the train that kept me awake, that's for sure; on the other hand, I have no idea what kept me awake. In any event, I figured I'd get some shuteye during the 3 hours it takes for the consist to creep its way from one end of the journey to the other. It almost worked out that way, though I dozed for most of the trip, waking avery few minutes to shift to a more comfortable position in the cramped accommodations.

The train got to the pad a little ahead of the crowd, and everyone disembarked, allowing me to get photographed in front of the freshly arrived Proton, in advance of the maddening crowd.



Those with Google Earth can check out where exactly the photo was taken by clicking here.

I've been noticing all through the campaign that the generally relaxed atmosphere regarding where you can be and what and when you can take photos has really tightened up on the Russian side. In previous campaigns, for example, you could come up as far as the metal barrier to check out the business end of the Proton. Today, our crowd was kept back an additional ten yards or so. However, even tightened up, the situation is still quite informal as compared to some comparable installations back in the States.

And so, said once a wag, it goes.

Cheers...