ULDB launch status – 9 Mar 2001

We had launch conditions early Friday in terms of the weather. However, in
the process of trying to position the spool and helium trailer combination,
we buried the equipment in mud. We did some damage to the spool truck that
can hopefully be repaired today. As we expected, it was not obvious that we
were going to have a problem until we hit a soft spot.

We are filed for a launch Saturday morning and will regroup this afternoon
to see if the wheel assembly can be repaired expeditiously. The valve stem
and two lugs were sheared off. We were able to pull the vehicle out of the
bog with the launch crane.

The weather outlook for Saturday is not particularly favorable. However,
beginning Sunday it looks hopeless until the end of next week so we’ll give
it a try.

Having some fun now!