The 'Van is on the Launchpad!

[DBK]

The Artemis mission to the Moon is supposed to be launching today although at the time of writing the countdown has been halted while they look at technical issues.

However, here in Devon the countdown has started for our launch across the Channel this evening on a journey to France on a cheese hunting mission. The Moon may not be made of cheese but France is so I have stocked up on the essential guides.

The launch vehicle is in position on the pad. It normally faces the other way round but I have turned it to face the direction we need to go to reach the ferry port in Plymouth.

It is on external power at the moment but closer to launch the umbilical will be disconnected and it will run on its internal power sources. This photo shows the umbilical connection point.

Artemis has been filled with fuel this morning but I am planning not to refuel until we reach France where hopefully it is cheaper. I don't have NASA's budget. But we have taken on liquid water.

Comms have been tested.

The Artemis mission will be unmanned but our more ambitious mission has a crew of two plus an on-board dog.

Weather forecast is good.

The countdown continues....

... we are go for launch!

 

[Winger]

Please get Charlie to give updates as he has been quiet this last while!

 

[DBK]

Please get Charlie to give updates as he has been quiet this last while!

Yes, he's under contract to supply updates.

 

[Tombola]

Hope you get successfully into low orbit....god be with you

have fun.

Whats the lace for ?

 

[maison]

The Artemis mission to the Moon is supposed to be launching today although at the time of writing the countdown has been halted while they look at technical issues.

However, here in Devon the countdown has started for our launch across the Channel this evening on a journey to France on a cheese hunting mission. The Moon may not be made of cheese but France is so I have stocked up on the essential guides.

View attachment 657499

The launch vehicle is in position on the pad. It normally faces the other way round but I have turned it to face the direction we need to go to reach the ferry port in Plymouth.

View attachment 657498

It is on external power at the moment but closer to launch the umbilical will be disconnected and it will run on its internal power sources. This photo shows the umbilical connection point.

View attachment 657496

Artemis has been filled with fuel this morning but I am planning not to refuel until we reach France where hopefully it is cheaper. I don't have NASA's budget. But we have taken on liquid water.
View attachment 657497

Comms have been tested.

View attachment 657500

The Artemis mission will be unmanned but our more ambitious mission has a crew of two plus an on-board dog.

Weather forecast is good.

The countdown continues....

... we are go for launch!

When we lived in France we had the French Cheeses book in your photo.

We started working our way through it and completed more than half of it. We still carry it and experiment each time we visit France.

We had some great ones, some good ones and one or two that were “not so good” over the years. Fun trying though.

I should also point out, purely in the interest of balance, that we also have the Wines of France book which has received similar treatment.

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[DBK]

Whats the lace for ?

On the "umbilical"? It's just a bit of cord I use to keep it together when coiled but also use it to tie down the flap to stop it rattling in a strong wind.