'Tis the time of year...

When I often become an amateur meteorologist, staring intently at every hour's new satellite composite and checking wind directions almost compulsively. Living out in the elements is a motivation, sure, but there are often project considerations in the field. Our commercial biomedical monitoring equipment was designed for indoor treadmill tests, not cold downpours or snow. So I need to be careful about starting a walkback test when there's a significant probability of precipitation. Hence... this week has been an exercise in prudence, in waiting for the right moments. I've gotten it right every time... so far. But there are only 72 hours remaining, and still one major and three minor tests to be run. So... I'm a bit on edge, waiting and planning.

Still, we had a successful dry run today, testing with the Hamilton-Sundstrand planetary concept suit with voice and data back to Houston, live. That reflects a sterling effort and results by team members on both sides, this week, and I'm pleased to see it come together.

So... on hold with 8/9 walkback tests done, hopefully we'll get a weather break soon.