The last few days went by very fast, with two balloon launches, two rocket launches and the delay of the Stratos launch. Today was a day of rest and processing the previous 72 hours. Most people spent the day alone or just with two people enjoying the quietness of the almost deserted base. Auke left today for The Netherlands and tomorrow Peter, Ragiel and Arjan will go back to finish their second year project. During the daily meeting a new plan was made for the launch of the Stratos rocket. Fortunately we still have sufficient people to man all the posts needed to launch the Stratos on Monday. The pictures below are not from today but are there to make up for the lack of pictures in the previous posts. Enjoy them.

This picture was taken by Mark on Thursday during his helicopter flight showing the vast nothingness of Northern Sweden

The sustainer motor photographed by Mark. It shows the nozzle with igniter in it. Even the pyrogen can be seen.

Mark and Hein preparing the booster. Captured by Olga

The recovery module with two pyrocharges and a servo actuated pinpuller. The pyrocharges seperate the capsule from the sustainer and at the same time deploy the drogue parachute at 4 km altitude. At 2 km the pinpuller releases the main parachute.

The nosecone of the Stratos among other rocket nosecones and hardware. Taken in launch control

The Aurora Borealis captured by Martijn last night

Part of the Finnish REXUS team's payload