MAXIMA Shipping Procedures
The actual movement of the MAXIMA gondola from Berkeley to the launch facility is a moderately complicated logistical operation.
It involves arrangements with the balloon base, shipping companies, the Physics Department to get the gondola out of the building, and arrangements for travel and supplies such as cryogenics, parts, telephones, computer hook-ups and of course careful planning and packing.
The balloon bases are operated by the
NSBF (National Scientific Balloon Facility located in Palestine, Texas.
Fort Sumner, New Mexico is a standard alternate site, particulary during the winter
season when the winds are blowing east.
(photo)
of the NSBF in Fort Sumner.
Some procedures are detailed in the following documents
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Shipping Lists is the comprehensive list of things that are shipped when MAXIMA is moved from Berkeley to a launch site such as Palestine, Texas. The list for MAX6 included were compiled by Jason Feldman.
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Base Contacts is a list of contacts and arrangements to be made prior to shipping.
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Gondola Preparations details the procedures for moving the gondola from the lab to the truck.
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