Herschel

Good Luck Brian!

Launch ok, all systems nominal. Still in 1st stage

There's a lot of chatter on the MPML mailing list about a number of different objects (possibly 9 total) being tracked after the launch of Herschel. Some are parts of the launch vehicle others are unknown. I've even seen a suggestion of a secret/military/unknown payload or two...

Anyone? Brian?

There's a lot of chatter on the MPML mailing list about a number of different objects (possibly 9 total) being tracked after the launch of Herschel. Some are parts of the launch vehicle others are unknown.

Hmmm, the fact Brian hasn't replied yet ...

"I just need to climb in here guys to tweak that nut with my spanner. Don't press the launch button just ... AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGHHHHHHHHHHH. Oh, I can see my house from up here." :lol:

Since the folks are tracking multiple "pieces", I sincerely hope Brian is still whole and the rest of the objects result from his tool belt falling apart on lift-off.

Hi guys!

Sorry for lack of updates, very busy few days as you might imagine! Herschel and Planck are working well - Herschel's first instrument to be switched on (SPIRE, the one I worked on) was successfully activated this afternoon. Planck's instruments are working as expected. All in all, things are going really well.

Re. the objects being tracked - I suspect the chatter was about this:

(check out the image from Herschel's VMC camera - absolutely stunning)

herschelmission.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/this-is-very-cool/

Oh, and the belt snapped on me - too rotund