Opal Weekly Update -- October 15, 1999

1. Expected launch date:  November 19, 1999.
2. Schedule of events:

Oct 20          
JAWSAT delivered to building 1555 to be integrated onto fourth stage.
Nov 3,4        
Last access to payloads.  JAWSAT will be mounted to the fourth stage in building 1555.  We'll be able to trickle charge and perform any last minute modifications.  We don't anticipate doing much. Maybe just going to Vandenberg to see it all together on the fourth stage.
Nov 5,6         
Encapsulation of payload.
Nov 16 or 17    
Dress rehearsal of launch.  All people in the LOCC for the launch need to be there.
Nov 19          
Launch.  The window is about 20 minutes give or take a few.  They are still working on the details.   There is another launch on the 23rd, so there is a day or two for postponing launch.  If it goes past that, the next chance is the first full week of December.
 
3. Opal will be separating from payload approximately 720 seconds after launch.
4. There is a group in Hawaii that may attempt to take pictures from the ground of the satellites.  One of the payloaders is working on this issue.  That would be quite the sight!
5. The Air Force will be putting together a professional video presentation of the launch that will include rocket assembly and launch.  If there are no problems (ie the rocket doesn't blow up) that video will be made available to the payloaders.  We'll work on getting copies.