A group of us clustering around the intercom (squawk box) listening
closely during the first launch attempt. What you see in the movies
is surprisingly accurate -- NASA launch controllers really do
talk like that! We followed them through each step of
the launch procedure. At right you can see the L1011 taking off with SWAS
slung under its belly.
Ted Bergin awaiting the unfolding of events during the first
launch attempt. The
carrier aircraft was in the air en route
to the launch point (here you see it having just taken off) but launch was eventually
scrubbed due to a problem with spacecraft navigational telemetry.
Two days later, weather problems (high wind speeds at the
launch site) would also abort the second launch attempt.
The third attempt was successful. What a relief!
Two days later, after most of the initial orbit checkout procedures
were completed, we began our search for the SWAS beam. After a day
and a half of hard work, we found it! That was a watershed event,
marking the point when SWAS could begin science observations.
Zhong Wang offers his congratulations while Steve Kleiner puts the
final touches on our observing plans.