So since Nicole seems to be waiting anxiously for this update...

[gullgirl84]

...here it is! Sea Launch was amazing. The sheer engineering behind the entire structure is incredible. First of all, for those of you who don't know what Sea Launch is, it is a mobile launch platform. It is made from a converted oil rig that has been converted to a fully functional rocket assembly and launch platform. Basically, before they leave port in Long Beach, they load the satellite into the belly of the command ship and assemble the rocket and the satellite in the hold of the ship. They then transfer the rocket to the launch platform, store the rocket, and set sail for the equator. The launch platform and the command ship are two separate pieces, although the launch platform can be completely autonomously controlled from the command ship. The ship also includes a mission control center (the satellite side is American and the rocket side is Russian and they have a government officer on-board during launch to make sure that they don't tell each other anything technical during launch...cause that would be bad and the ITAR would get mad!). When they get to the equator (just south of the Galapagos Islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean) they sink the platform! The platform is supported by large pontoons (each of which is bigger than a Triton submarine) and they fill these pontoons halfway full of water to ballast the platform so when the rocket launches the platform remains stable. I think that is the coolest part of the whole thing. Apparently it takes about 8 hours to completely sink the thing cause there is so much water. Then they bring the rocket out using an erector arm. This rocket is 197 ft. tall and the erector arm's pistons are located at the very base of the arm. For those of you who don't remember your physics, that would be like trying to open a door by pushing on the side near the hinges. It has to do with moment arms and such but needless to say it takes a hell of a lot of force to life the rocket into a standing position but they do it. We got to see the flame bucket where they put the bottom of the rocket and (as indicated by the name) all the flames go when the rocket lifts off. The command ship is pretty cool. Its like a cruise ship but not quite as many fun things to do on board. We got to go to the bridge and sit in the captains chair and that was sweet. The only downside was that they had just greased the elevator that we took to the top of the launch platform so about half of us (myself included) ruined our clothes! Oh well. The tour was awesome and the whole thing is just incredible. I'll post a link so you can look at pictures of the thing. Its amazing. It was even cooler for me because two of the satellites from my program launched from Sea Launch.

http://www.sea-launch.com

Wednesday was the Long Beach Harbor cruise. That was ok. It was a little depressing because I didn't know anyone. Everyone else lives together because Boeing houses all the out-of-area interns in the Oakwood Apartments in either Marina Del Rey or Seal Beach. Therefore everyone was having a good time mingling and I was sitting around most of the time with no one to talk to. I got a little depressed after awhile but the scenery was gorgeous. There...now you have my Sea Launch (yeah!) and harbor cruise (meh...) update. I shall write again when I actually have anything fun to report, which knowing me will be never. For now, peace out!