Opal Weekly Update -- September 17, 1999

1. Expected launch date:  October 15, 1999   (but ...) 
2. There are issuess with the rocket avionics that may delay  the launch.  The avionics have not shipped from Chandler, AZ to Vandenberg.  They are having a timing problem with telemetry downlinking.  Through all their simulations, the avionics have successfully guided the rocket but they are having problems downlinking telemetry fast enough.  If the avionics don't ship soon (within a day or two) there could be a week delay.  (So, I would hold off on buying tickets.)  We should know more in the next day or two about delays.
3. Payload issues.  All the payloads are good to go except Jawsat.  They working on some electronic issues.  They have having EEPROM difficulties and they should be worked out by Monday, Sept. 20.
4. The shipment of the payloads to Vandenberg has been delayed from Sunday, the 19th, till Wendesday the 22nd.  The payloads will be available for post shipment testing on Friday and Saturday of this week.
5. Greg and Jamie plan to go to Vandenberg on either Friday or Saturday for the post ship testing.  They'll also do final prep on the spacecraft by attaching arming plugs and removing safety devices.  If they have time, they'll check out some of the public viewing areas for the launch.
6. Encapsulation of the payload is scheduled for Oct 4-5.
7. Hopefully, you all saw Roberta's email on public viewing recommendations.  Those will be posted on the Opal website within the next few days.
8. We're almost there!!!