CREAM Termination

Thank you for the good news, David. I would like to thank NASA, CSBF, NSF, and RPSC for the excellent support. Hope the recovery goes smooth and easy.

CREAM achieved a cumulative exposure of almost 100 days (just about 2 day short) with this flight of ~ 28 days. Both the science instrument and the support system worked great throughout the flight. The quality of the team work has again been demonstrated in this highly successful campaign. The balloon performance was just outstanding. The trajectory was the most beautiful one I have ever seen. The balloon was coming back to McMurdo after each round as if it knows where McMurdo was. What a great ride!

I would also like to thank the ESC/SOC operators for taking 7/24 shift. Without your cooperation and dedicated support this success could not have been possible.

Thank you.

All the best for the recovery,
Eun-Suk, January 16, 2008 EST

Gregory, David D. (GSFC-820.0) wrote:

Danny Ball just called to say the CREAM payload is on the ground. Good parachute separation was accomplished with the SAPR (Semi-Automatic Parachute Release). Payload is on its side but in great shape. Every indication is the rip-stitch worked perfectly. Payload is approximately 170 miles from McMurdo which will easily accommodate either helicopter or Twin Otter recovery. Dave Sullivan was in a LC130 to make visual confirmation. The LC130 then went to South Pole and Dave should return to McMurdo in next few hours. Congratulations to all for a great termination and to everyone who supported the entire mission from beginning to end. As soon as I get a summary report from Bill, I will forward it to all.

David Gregory

Re: CREAM instrument is now off for the termination

We cross fingers for a landing on the launch pad........

cheers,
Michel, January 16, 2008 EST

Re: CREAM instrument is now off for the termination

Thanks, Scott.
The balloon has been traveling to south for a while so it looks like there is enough margin to terminate on the Ice Shelf. Recovery on the Ice shelf would be a lot easier than the high plateau. However, It is is still about 200 nmi from McMurdo according to my crude estimate. It looks to me this balloon knows where McMurdo is and it is going to come back pretty close. Have a safe trip. Hope to hear a good news later today.

All the best,
Eun-Suk, January 16, 2008 EST

RE: CREAM instrument is now off for the termination

I will be joining the termination crew at 1000 local time for an 1130 departure on a C130. I was shooed out of the office by Dave because he is in "termination mode" and does not want interruptions, so I do not know the exact location of the instrument relative to the ice shelf. More later this afternoon.

Re: CREAM instrument is now off for the termination

Thanks, MooHyun.
I am hearing that the termination will be within the next ~3 hrs. Hope/pray/wish for a safe landing within the helicopter range. Better yet where C-130 could land.

Can someone on the Ice tell us the status there? Did the C-130 leave McMurdo? Who is on the plane?

CREAM instrument is now off for the termination

Dear All,

Now the CREAM instrument is off for the termination. It took about 15 minutes to turn off biases, HVs, powers of the CREAM sub-detector systems. And it took another 15 minutes for the CDM(WFF) to turn off powers to the CREAM instrument.

Termination will start within 6 minutes.

Dear All,

Palestine and WFF are preparing for the TDRSS termination process to be started after 6 minutes when the commanding window opens.

The termination plan

The flight termination can be any time now. CSBF is monitoring the balloon closely. If there is enough margin to safely bring down the payload on the Ice shelf they will do so before the balloon reaches McMurdo. Once CSBF gives the word, we (science & WFF's CDM) have 1.5 hrs to complete the termination procedure. SOC operators should review the shut down procedure carefully to complete the task in time. SOC operators should also let me know when the CSBF's request is made to you and when the procedure is complete.

Buckle up for landing,
Eun-Suk, January 16, 2008 EST

p.s. D. Gregory's message:

"There can be no allowance for extending this 1.5 hour window at the last minute without incurring risk of not getting the payload back down onto the Ross Ice Shelf, which in-turn could mean a longer, more difficult recovery off the East Antarctica plateau."

Status

As discussed at the collaboration meeting CREAM is collecting good data with ~100% live time. The raw data show a nice power law data over 3 decades in energy reaching ~1015 eV. Needless to say, a longer flight will allow us to reach higher energies. The balloon is performing great with a good altitude profile. The vortex was setting slow this year but it seems to be sitting pretty firm at the pole now. The trajectory is just beautiful. Our operation is smooth and the number of events is increasing steady. We have a good chance to break our own record of 42 days with another round. Considering all the effort for the refurbishment and all the risks we have to take for the launch, it is our best interest to stay up as long as possible even at the cost of not having next flight this year.

However, BPO informs me that NSF recommends us to bring down all three payloads. I am told the recovery won't be guaranteed if we go another round due to the limited availability of aircraft. Apparently the bassler incident was a big hit. Although disappointing, the flight has to be terminated in a day or two if no effort can be made for recovery after another round. We need to maintain reasonable assurance for the recovery whether we want to fly later this year or not. So, unless I hear otherwise from NSF, our current plan is to terminate the flight as the payload comes back close to McMurdo. SOC and the recovery crew should get ready for the termination. Operators should get trained for the termination procedure since the shut down request could come in any day.

A C-130 went out to the pole for the ATIC termination earlier today (1/15, ~8:30 am NZT). It will be back to McMurdo for the CREAM termination later tonight local time. CSBF may terminate CREAM if the balloon reaches the Ice shelf away from the water. If it is too close to water as in the first round, they will let it go over the mountains and recover the payload on the high plateau. Hope/wish/pray that CREAM would land in the range of helicopter or overland traverse.

Collaboration Meeting - January 10/11

The CREAM payload made its first circumpolar navigation in about 2 weeks and came back to McMurdo, within 2 miles from the launch site on Jan 2, 2008 EST. After the amazing appearance to McMurdo citizens directly over head, it has begun its second circumnavigation. Hope/wish/pray for a long and successful flight and its return to the same place after a completion of the flight.

We will have the bi-annual meeting next week as scheduled. Please send me ASAP your plan for presentations, titles and duration, if you haven't done so yet.

Approaching McMurdo

Happy New Year to you'll.

The CREAM payload is approaching McMurdo. If it stays in the course the balloon could be seen from McMurdo within/in a day or so. According to my calculation, the balloon travels at the speed of about a degree longitude per hr at the average latitude of about 78 degree although instantaneous numbers may vary.

Yoann & Terri,
Be prepared to take a photo. Finding a camera (or camera man) with a good zoom would be good.

All,
Hope/wish/pray the balloon stays south of McMurdo for the second round to continue.

Operation Status

I just got a confirmation that both JinA and Michel arrived their home OK. UMD folks arrived here as well. It was such a marathon to leave the Ice right after the launch but it worked out pretty good.

You can upload photos, videos, etc. on our collaboration bulletin board for now. Someone here at MD will put together photo albums. Instructions for large files (above the bulletin board limit) will be given later.

ATIC was launched ~3 hours ago and it is ascending at the moment. BESS was launched on 12/23, a few days after the CREAM launch. All 3 payloads are in the air above the Antarctic continent.

As per the CREAM payload, we are having good CAL triggered events with ~100% live time. The number of events are increased significantly due to lower threshold than previous 2 flights. Kudos to the CAL team. Hope to see the charge distributions of CherCam and SCD soon. The TCD/CD malfunction continues but its impact is minimal for this flight fortunately.

In case you want to know what to wish for, the balloon trajectory should be south of McMurdo. It has been drifting to North too much to my taste although is looks better now than a couple of days ago. I would've liked it to stay closer to the pole considering its being the first orbit.

I would like thank the SOC operators for working hard over the holidays and weekends.

Eun-Suk, December 26, 2007 EST

UpDate On Launch

CREAM is at float. CAL HV's are ramped up successfully and CAL triggered events are being taken. We have a trouble ramping up the S3 HV and one of the two CD HV's. More seriously, we are not getting any TCD triggers. It has been a long day and our WFF partners are already gone back to Mac town. We are losing LOS. We will have to hand over the control to SOC soon. I hope TCD/CD folks will resolve the trigger issue soon.
Eun-Suk, December 19, 2007 EST

Successful Launch!

Hurray! It was a flawless beautiful launch. Congratulations to all!
Enjoy the ride!

Eun-Suk, December 18, 2007 EST

Launch Update

Everything looks good. The balloon is committed. We are going for a launch!

Eun-Suk, December 18, 2007 EST.

LTP Complete

The LPT has been successfully completed. We are waiting for the wind direction to change to NE and the low level wind to be low enough for the launch. Some of the LPT playback data may arrive at SOC. The connectivity is not expected to good until the afternoon.

Eun-Suk, December 18, 2007 EST.

Update On Launch Attempt 2

The instrument LPT is in progress. SOC may receive data when the TDRSS connection is made in ~1.5 hrs (9:00 AM NZT). The quality of connection may not be good since the satellite angle will be still low, but we should be able to check the connectivity. Let me know how it goes.

We may have a brief network outage ~10:30 AM NZT. We will have Iridium phones to make sure are can be connected.

Eun-Suk, December 18, 2007 EST.

Update On Launch Attempt 2

As you probably could see via webcam, we are rolling out to the deck and the boss is ready to pick up the payload.

The sky is clear and the surface wind is low. We expect the wind direction to change this morning for the favorable launch condition. Prepare for a long day.

Best Wishes,
Eun-Suk, December 18, 2007 EST.

Timeline For Launch Attempt 2

Here is the time line:

The Ice crew meet at DJ at 4:00 AM NZT to arrive at Willy Field at 4:30 AM NZT. Roll out to the deck at 5:00 AM NZT (16:00 12/18 GMT, 11:00 12/18 EDT). SOC and ESC connection is expected ~18:30 12/18 GMT (13:30 12/18 EDT). The launch target is 1:30 - 2:40 PM NZT.

TDRSS Times requested:
Return - Starting at 1900 12/18 GMT and onward
Forward - Minimum 10 min per hour starting at 1900 12/18 GMT and onward

The launch preparation takes over 9 hours including our LPT which takes > 2 hrs. It would help if you can minimize your launch LPT time. Most of the Ice crew are scheduled to redeploy on 12/20 NZT the day after the anticipated launch. This is the last flight before Christmas and the next flight is on 12/27. We can make this flight if the launch occurs as planned and if the instrument can be tuned quickly enough for us to do bag dragging Wednesday evening. We need your cooperation to tune the instrument as quickly as possible. We do not have many hours to play with. Please make your best guess for all the parameters now based on our previous 2 flights to minimize any possible issues when we start taking data at float. The earlier we can turn over the control to SOC the easier the Ice crew to pack and prepare for the departure.

Thanks,
Eun-Suk, December 17, 2007 EST.

Launch Attempt #2

The next launch window is Wednesday 12/19 NZT.
Ice crew,
The show time is Wednesday 12/19, 4 AM NZT. Details to follow.

Eun-Suk, December 17, 2007 EST.

Launch window - scrubbed

We got the Sun back but the wind became southerly and strong at the higher altitude. The campaign manager Erich is calling it off. We are powering down the system.

SOC,
Thanks for standing by.

Hope to have the next window soon.

Eun-Suk, December 16, 2007 EST.

Update On launch Winow

3.00 AM

We just arrived in Willy field. It looks pretty good. Hope this weather continues to hold for us to complete the launch.

5.00 AM

The payload was picked up by the Boss. The instrument LPT is in progress. There is a large cloud covering the Sun which should move away soon for the solar panels to work. Wind wise, it is quite calm. The higher altitude wind is slowing down as well. 7:00 AM NZT launch looks good.

Eun-Suk, December 16, 2007 EST

Launch window - Monday morning 7 am NZT

I just got an update. We have a launch window on Monday morning at 7 am NZT. The Ice crew needs to leave Mac town at 9:30 pm today to complete 9 hr procedure in time for the launch. Take a necessary rest this afternoon to be fresh and bright for the night and next day.

SOC operators,
Gear up for the launch.

Best wishes for all,

Eun-Suk, December 15, 2007 EST.

Update on LDB Launches

Hello Everyone,

Many people have been asking when we are going to launch an LDB payload.
Currently, while all three payloads are ready to fly, we have been waiting for the upper atmospheric winds where the balloons float (5 mB, approx 120,000 feet) to become established in the normal austral summer anti-cyclonic pattern. These winds give us the predictable orbit around the continent, one of the major reasons for ballooning in the Antarctic. We had hoped for a first launch of the CREAM payload in the early days of December so they could have the maximum possible number of days aloft. However, similar to last season, the winds seem slow to set up this year, and just in the past few days are showing favorable signs.

Now it's a waiting game for the local weather out here at the LDB launch pad, which needs to be essentially calm from ground level up through 5,000 feet, and predictable for the launch activity duration (anywhere from 6 to 20 hours). Right now we have around 20 knots at ground level, and 35-40 knots at 500 feet - great for kites, but not so good for balloons. These conditions are expected to last through the weekend.

Stay tuned...

Eun-Suk, December 14, 2007 EST.

Pathfinder 2 launch

The pathfinder-1 trajectory was not satisfactory as you may have noticed. The pathfinder-2 launch is planned for tomorrow, Sunday 8:30 AM NZT. The weather forecast for Monday is not good. If its trajectory is promising and if the weather cooperates a possible window could open later this week. We are in a waiting mode. It is time to firm up the operation plan and the recovery plan.

One of the WFF crew broke his leg yesterday and he is returning to the US on Tuesday. Robby, the WFF field manager, is also returning to the US. So, WFF crew will be reduced by 2, which leaves with limited support for the LOS. Although we have been discussing about minimizing the instrument tuning time anyway, it is another factor that we now need to consider. Please do whatever you can to make the instrument tuning efficient in time.

Eun-Suk, December 08, 2007 EST.

CREAM Integration Status - Compatibility Hang Test Complete

The hang test is successfully completed and CREAM is now flight ready.
This would not have been possible without dedicated effort of the Ice crew for both science and WFF, SOC operators, ESC folks, and CSBF crew. Thank you all!

Eun-Suk, December 3, 2007 EST.

CREAM Compatibility Hang Test -- in 24 hours

Due to the wind picking up to 12-13 knots with gusts over 15 knots the payload was pulled back into the building. Winds are not expected to die down anytime soon, so today's test with ConUS is canceled. The good news is that the payload is now mechanically ready for flight. We'll try for a hang-test tomorrow morning. So far the forecast for tomorrow is good.

Opher , December 2, 2007 EST .

PathFinder Launch

The path finder launch is expected in 10 min.

ES , December 1, 2007 EST

CREAM Compatibility Hang Test

The weather is expected to be good with 4-8 knots wind for tomorrow, Monday December 2, NZT. It will be a good day for a hang test. SOC should be ready according to the hang test schedule shown below. The weather outlook is good for Tuesday as well. An increase in wind speed is expected for later Wednesday. The weather is not looking good for Thursday thru the weekend.

If the path finder data look good and the weather cooperates Wednesday could be a launch day. We will know more on Tuesday. Stay tuned.

Eun-Suk, December 1, 2007 EST

Approaching the launch

The path finder launch will be on Monday ~ 9: 30 am. Check the Webcam which is linked on the CREAM home page. The weather outlook is good through Wednesday. Following CPT, WFF folks will close out the payload tomorrow for a hangtest on Monday. If the pathfinder data look good the launch window could open as early as Wednesday.

Eun-Suk, November 30, 2007 EST

CREAM Integration Update - Nov 30 (NZT)

Hi all,

The joint CDM-instrument CPT is in full swing. We finished the long phase (matched power) yesterday, and the battery discharge (solar array emulator disconnected and all power from batteries) today. The weather was threatening to go to condition 2 or even 1 so we had to stop early. The remaining two phases will be done next time we can go out - hopefully tomorrow.

During today's test we saw somewhat higher noise levels in the SCD, especially in the upper layer. It is possible this was due to some RF activities nearby in the TM building, or even out at the air field. Near lunch time, when we were ready to leave, the excess noise disappeared. Since other activities nearby stopped around that time, it appears likely the source of the noise was external. Aside from this temporary noise issue the instrument is nominal and the TCD/CD, SCD and CherCam experts are happy with the data. Each day they look at the most recent data collected, so tomorrow we should know if all is still well, as we expect.

Cheers, Opher, November 29, 2007 EST

Update From Ice

Hello All,

I arrived on the Ice yesterday. More importantly, so did the batteries. The batteries are installed and being checked out. The instrument is on the battery power now. The combined CPT is scheduled for tomorrow.

It is nice and calm today and the BESS hang test is in progress.

The CREAM hangtest is planned for Monday Dec. 3.

The vortex is not set yet although the first path finder flight is scheduled for Saturday. The current projection for the first flight opportunity is later next week.

Eun-Suk, November 28, 2007 EST

Status update on CREAM-III preparations 11/20/07

Dear all,

Today (Tuesday 11/20/07 NZT) was spent mostly preparing for and carrying out the end-to-end data flow test between the Ice and ConUS. Prior to that, YSY installed another SCD script on the SFCs. According to Robby the test was successful with a few minor issues to close out over the next few days (e.g. communications between the TM building and the payload building, housekeeping data transfer between ESC (WFF) and SOC (UMD) in Iridium mode, and setting up antennas to provide ARGOS signal). Due to the success of the test, the next test will only be conducted after the CDM and instrument are mated and the joint CPT concluded.

The batteries are expected to arrive on Friday 11/23/07 NZT evening, and the WFF team will begin their installation the next morning, after they've warmed up. Until then, the instrument will be collecting muon data in flight mode for the next two or three days (unless someone needs some other type of run). The science team will accommodate the WFF team's schedule to assure as quick as possible readiness for CPT and then hang-test. The current schedule calls for flight readiness on 12/01/07 (NZT) despite the delay in battery arrival. This of course assumes good weather throughout and no major issues coming up.

Opher, November 20, 2007 EST.

Status update on CREAM-III preparations 11/19/07

Hi all,

Today (Monday 11/19/07 NZT) we did the following.

1. Upload the SCD non-connected channel script to the two SFCs.

2. Upload updates of pre-start and re-start scripts into the two SFCs.

3. Complete the 3 last points on the CherCam delay time scan with muons.

4. Take muon data with some alternate TCD HV settings.

5. Take about 30 minutes of flight mode muons during the afternoon.

One issue under investigation is the appearance of some unexplained strange events in CherCam (Laurent and Olivier are studying this). Since this is at the 0.00025% level (i.e. 1 event in 40,000) Michel says he is not at all concerned about it if they cannot fix it.

The latest on the battery issue is that they will definitely not be here Wednesday, but we're hoping they'll be here Friday night or Saturday morning.

The WFF GPS issue has been resolved. The WFF folks tested the HGA today and I believe that went well. We're preparing to set up tomorrow for the end-to-end test in the morning, so we should be ready before lunch.

The weather briefings began today. The weather man says the winter pattern has begun leaving the polar area, and he hopes to see the vortex setting up by the end of the first week of December. This implies that even with the battery delay we should be ready in plenty of time for the first launch opportunity. We're still shooting for a hang test by Dec. 1 as previously scheduled.

Opher , November 18, 2007 EST

Status update on CREAM-III preparations 11/17/07

Hi all,

Today (Saturday 11/17/07 NZT) we carried out the joint LPT with the CDM. The instrument power, data, and thermistor cabling is all connected to the CDM. The CDM is sitting under the instrument but is not mechanically integrated, as the WFF folks still need to install the batteries once they arrive (see below) so there's no point to reattach mechanically until that is done.

Tomorrow (Sunday 11/18/07 NZT) will be a day off, with work resuming Monday 11/19/07 morning. The plan for next week is as follows.

1. Redo one of the CherCam delay scan runs that had a corrupted file.
2. Run muons in flight mode again to increase statistics.
3. Test the connection between the science ground station and the WFF ground station in the TM building.
4. Test the HG antenna prior to the end-to-end data flow.
5. Carry out the end-to-end test as scheduled.

Regarding the batteries, the latest update is that the information has now gone up the ladder inside NSF up to George Blaisdell, and from him to Dave Gregory at BPO, so there is a lot of pressure on the cargo people to get the box here asap. The current time-line for the batteries is as follows.

1. LAX to Luxembourg 11/17 (via DHL :-( )
2. Luxembourg to Aukland (DHL again) on 11/22, arriving 11/24.
3. Probably via truck from Aukland to ChC, arriving on or about 11/26.
4. On a flight to McM on 11/27 (there are no flights between 11/24 and 11/26 so this is the earliest possible flight to McM for this time-line).
5. Delivery to the assembly building 11/28 AM.
6. WFF needs 5 days from then to be ready for hang-test, implying 12/3 or 12/4 readiness.

RPSC are still trying to see if going via Singapore Airlines they can save a few days and have the batteries at the assembly building by 11/21 or at least by 11/24.

My concern is that the worst case time-line does not allow for any weather delays for the flight ChC-McM or for the hang test. This season the weather has not been cooperative, and the risk for additional weather delays is considerable. This is why it would be infinitely safer for the batteries to arrive at ChC on 11/20, and to have the 11/20 flight held until the box is loaded on it, allowing the batteries to be delivered by 11/21 AM to the assembly building. That would then have us ready for hang test by 11/27, providing 3 or 4 days margin before we hit the 12/1 schedule for flight-readiness.

Opher, November 16, 2007 EST

Status update on CREAM preparations 11-16-2007

Dear all,

Today (Friday 11/16/07) we ran a muon delay-setting scan for CherCam. The data is already at Grenoble and tomorrow we may receive the preferred setting. Following this scan we ran for 4 hours in flight-mode collecting muon data with all detectors (except calorimeter). The WFF team continued their work, including installation of the upper two rows of solar panels. Tomorrow morning they will be ready to mate the CDM to the instrument and we will run the joint LPT. Next week we will do the end-to-end testing and once we're mated to the CDM we'll find the right time for a long (~8 hour) flight-mode muon run through the CDM.

The biggest issue is with the batteries. Although we were told two days ago that they had departed LAX towards ChC, and were expecting them here no later than 11/21, today we were told they were actually still at LAX and would not go out until 11/21 since they are hazmat and must fly on a cargo flight only. That would imply the box would miss a flight from ChC to McM on 11/23 and would only get to the assembly building on or about 11/28(!). After Dave raised the issue rather emphatically with all concerned, Keith is in the process of looking for better alternatives, and the latest news is that he has found a way to get the box to ChC on 11/20. Then, if he can hold the flight from ChC to McM that leaves that day until the box is delivered and loaded, we should have the batteries in hand by 11/21. If the box misses that flight, the next probably flight is 11/23, with the batteries reaching us 11/24. This is critical, as after 11/21 we will likely see a one day delay in readiness for hang-test for every day of delay in delivery. Robby says we need at least 5 days from the battery delivery until we can go to a hang test. By now I believe NSF, RPSC and BPO are all involved, so hopefully we will see a positive result...

Opher, November 15, 2007

Status update on CREAM preparations 11-15-2007

Dear all,

Today (Thursday 11/15/07) we completed the instrument-only CPT (less the flight-mode run for CherCam which will be done during the long muon run early next week). Following the CPT we collected LED data for CherCam HV tuning. The WFF team continued mechanical buildup and setting up of their ground station. Tomorrow (Friday 11/16/07) we plan to mate the CDM to the rest of the payload and carry out the joint LPT, followed by test-mode muon runs for TCD, CD, SCD and CherCam. During these runs the CherCam delay will be scanned. Over the following days we will also collect a long muon run in flight mode, preferably with CDM connected. As mentioned before, Tuesday 11/20/07 13:00 - 19:00 NZT will be the end-to-end data flow test, with backup times scheduled 24 hours and 48 hours later. The latest update on the batteries is that they are en route to ChC via com-air. They may be delivered to McM as early as tomorrow, or as late as next Tuesday. Either way it should not delay our schedule significantly.

Opher, November 15, 2007 EST

CREAM End-to-End Test

Folks,

The first end-to-end data flow test is scheduled for Tuesday 11/20/07 13:00-19:00 NZT, which is Monday 11/19/07 19:00 - Tuesday 11/20/07 01:00 EST. If this falls through there are backup periods scheduled 24 hours later and again another 24 hours after that. Please be sure to have the SOC up and manned during these 6 hour periods to support the test. We will send updates if there are any changes. I'd appreciate receiving an email acknowledgment that SOC will be up and running for the tests.

Thanks, Opher, November 14, 2007 EST

Status update on CREAM preparations 11-14-2007

Hi all,

Today (Wed 11-14-2007) the WFF team worked on getting the CDM ready for mating to the rest of the payload, including a mechanical fit-check. The science team began an instrument-only CPT, which was paused at the end of the day. So far results seem mostly nominal.

The plan for the coming days is to complete the CPT tomorrow by noon, then mate the CDM and instrument and run a joint LPT. On Friday the science team will conduct a long muon run all day, while the WFF team builds up and mounts various mechanical parts (e.g. solar array supports, etc.) and continues with preparations of the CDM and the ground station.

Opher,November 13, 2007 EST

Status update on CREAM preparations

Hi all,

Today (Tue 11/13/07) the following have been done.

1. Unpacked all the crates that were delivered yesterday afternoon.
2. Moved the empty crates out into the sea containers to optimize space in the building.
3. The science computers were set up and are working.
4. The instrument arrived at 10:30 AM NZT and was brought into the building.
5. The legs were installed and the shipping and integration dollies were moved onto the porch.
6. The instrument was surveyed visually and all appears to be nominal including cabling (one broken thermistor was already known and will be replaced in the coming days).
7. The keyboard and monitor cables prepared by Aram for ground testing of the SFC were tested and approved by Henry.
8. The instrument was hooked up to the WFF power GSE and Young Soo ran an LPT.
9. We learned that the flight critical batteries are still in Pt. Hueneme. We have been assured they will be here in a week's time. Robby is reworking the schedule after a detailed discussion with his team and believes that if the batteries are delivered in no more than a week he should be able to move things around to the point that we do not lose time.

All in all, a great deal was accomplished today through the combined efforts of the WFF team, the CSBF team and the instrument team.

Main points of the plan for the coming days:

11/14
- Run an instrument-only CPT.
- Test the TCD for light leaks.
- Interleave some WFF mechanical work into the CPT time to get things done that will save time later once the batteries are here.

11/15
- Mechanical fit-check of the CDM to the support structure, again, to save time later.

11/16
End-to-end data flow test, with Saturday (11/17) as back-up. Specific hours will be communicated once this has been scheduled. Since we want this to be truly end-to-end we'd like the SOC to support this test. We're 18 hours ahead of you, so this should be Thursday at UMD with a back-up of Friday.

Update:

The planned end-to-end test has been pushed back to when it was originally planned, between Tue and Thu next week (Mon - Wed in Maryland).

More detailed times when we know.

Robby says we are now ahead of his original schedule. If the batteries arrive as promised we should be able to meet or beat our schedule for flight readiness.

Please let me know if SOC will be ready to support the test.

Opher, November 13, 2007 EST

McMurdo

Hi all,

Today (Monday 11/12/07) we went out to the assembly building at 07:30 (NZT). We were then informed the containers would only be delivered after lunch, as the cargo lifters were busy off-loading a C-17. We took advantage of the time to arrange the inside of the building, moving shelving units, setting up tables and chairs, hooking up power strips and ethernet cables, etc. The containers arrived around 4 PM. The WFF team, the CSBF team, and the science team worked together to get all the crates that will be needed during the preparations into the building, allowing them to warm up overnight. Left outside were such items as recovery tools, solar array spares, etc. The instrument remains in warm storage. The plan for tomorrow is to unpack the crates and move the empties into the sea containers outside the building. Once the space is free in the center where the instrument is planned to stand, we will receive the instrument and begin testing. This is expected to be late !
morning. Given that we arrived 2 days later than originally planned, we have now regained about 1 day. We plan to get back at least 1 more day, and if possible more, to make sure we're flight ready by 12/1/07 as planned.

Opher, November 11, 2007 EST

We're at McMurdo

Hi all,

Tonight around 8 PM local we landed at McM. After the in-brief we had a short meeting with Dave Sullivan. He said that since the cargo arrived just this morning we should be able to get all but the instrument (which is in warm storage) first at the assembly bldg tomorrow, and once we're ready to receive the instrument it will be delivered. With enough progress this should be in the afternoon. There are no vans for the instrument teams (or WFF team). There are also no set shuttles running every 30 minutes to Willy and back because the Ice Runway is still open so the airfield at Willy will not be open probably until after our launch. Instead there are pre-arranged shuttles at 7:30 AM to Willy and at 5:30 PM back to McM. If needed, a shuttle can be called with 30 minutes advance notice. It seems the system has worked well so far for ATIC and BESS. Since ATIC has completed their hang-test yesterday, they will not be out at the assembly bldg at least for the next 4 days,!
and possibly beyond, so we should have no distractions.

Opher, November 11,2007 EST

Last (hopefully) update from ChC

Hi all,

The cargo is supposed to have been flown to McM last night (I'll verify this once we get to the CDC in a couple of hours). We're now scheduled to fly out at 3 PM local time. Hopefully next update will be once we're all safely at McM.

Opher, November 10, 2007 EST

Update from ChC

Hi all,

Unfortunately the ChC - McM flight before us that was supposed to go out today was scrubbed, and that group of people are now scheduled to fly out tomorrow (Saturday) morning. We have only been told that we're not flying tomorrow, and that more info would be forthcoming. I'll try to find out tomorrow morning if they managed to get any cargo (e.g. our instrument, etc.) into McM, but I'm doubtful.

Look for another update tomorrow.

Opher, November 9, 2007 EST

Update from ChC

Hi all,

This afternoon we were at the CDC for the cold weather gear. We learned that the 91 folks who were supposed to fly out today will try to fly out tomorrow, delaying our flight to Saturday afternoon. All our cargo is still in ChC and is now scheduled for a cargo-only flight tomorrow evening. We'll let you know if there are any further changes. Hopefully by Saturday evening both the cargo and the crew (science and WFF) will be safely at McM.

Opher November 7, 2007 EST

Update from ChC

Hi all,

This afternoon we went to CDC and checked the ECW gear. We also learned that the flight scheduled for today was canceled, so those 91 people (many of whom have been trying to fly to McM since Monday) are now scheduled to leave tomorrow (Friday). Our crew is thus delayed to a Saturday afternoon flight (takeoff 3 PM, landing 8 PM). All the cargo is still at ChC and is now scheduled to fly on a cargo-only flight tomorrow evening. If there are further flight cancellations both our crew (science and WFF) and the crates may end up delayed further. I've been told that if this happens they will likely fly us on Sunday even though they usually don't. We all hope it does not come to that and that both we and the cargo will make it safely to McM by Saturday evening.

Opher, November 7, 2007 EST

Arrived at Christchurch

Hi all,

After 30 hours, of which 20 hours in the air, we've arrived at Christchurch. Young Soo, Jin A, Fritz and I are now at the CDC, but will shortly head into town. Terri arrived a few days ago and is staying at the Windsor with the rest of the instrument group (except Michel who is staying at the Hotel So also in town). Michel is expected to arrive in the next hour or so. Robby and the rest of his team are also expected later today. The weather here in ChC is quite pleasant at the moment.

The Travel Office folks tell me that they are currently in a delay mode due to bad weather at McM, but that they hope to have that resolved by tomorrow, allowing us to fly over on Friday per our original schedule. In any case, we will be at the CDC tomorrow at 1 PM local for the ECW gear. I expect to email again once we know for sure our flight schedule to the Ice.


Opher, November 6, 2007 EST

Cream Flight 3 Schedule

Hi,

Attached is our current Cream Flight 3 schedule. Comments welcome.

Peter, March 15, 2007

Cream Flight 3 Delivery and ICRC

Hi All,

We are currently scheduled to deliver Cream Flight 3 to WFF in early July (July 1 on our schedule, July 9 on WFF's schedule) but this is precisely when a number of you will be attending the ICRC (July 2-11).
To accomodate this, we are moving our delivery schedule up about a week:

June 24 Pre-ship CPT
June 25 Pack
June 26 Ship to WFF
June 27-28 Unpack at WFF and perform post-ship CPT.

We anticipate, based on WFF's schedule that CDM integration will begin on July 12 so please plan to have recovered from whatever tropical diseases you have picked up by then.

Peter, February 27, 2007

Summary of CherCam integration

Dear colleagues,
Here is a brief summary of the (dense) Chercam tests and integration process between the LPSC and UMD that took place over about the last two weeks.
As most of you know, the mechanical integration of the detector was completed and the basing functioning controlled on Jan 11. Chercam was shipped the same day in the evening to Orsay for the vacuum tests at the IAS on the 15-17. The duration of the tests, first scheduled for the15 only, had been extended after the CREAM meeting discussion at UMD on the 11. This extension of the test duration could be arranged with the team in charge of the IAS facility.
The tests at the IAS went smoothly and the detector has been put under nominal high voltage (800 to 1100V) in the flight pressure conditions (see presentation) for 43 hours without any incident or failure. It has been shipped on the 17 in the afternoon.
The shipment arrived a bit later than scheduled on the 22 in the evening. It has been tested during the two following days with some minor problems fixed, waiting for the brackets (sent earlier to save some time and misrouted twice by DHL) to be delivered. The mechanical integration in the CREAM structure could finally take place only after the brackets arrived on the 25 late morning. It was completed with no major problem encountered on the evening the same day. The mechanical assembly was a little miracle of smoothness (some problem however for fixing properly the CD on Chercam brackets to be solved). It went almost ideally. On the 26 just before the team left UMD, the CREAM COMMAND could control the HV settings, and some pedestal data could be taken with the CREAM_DAQ.
The whole program was almost fulfilled. The final DAQ and Housekeeping tuning will be done in coordination between UMD and Grenoble. We are now looking forward for the first ground test data with CR muons.
There is some more work to be done to finalize the detector. We'll let you know how we plan to organize the future steps for Chercam, as soon as Scott will tell us about the thermal status of the detector, which is clearly good as shown by the IAS data (see presentation), when he has completed the analysis.

Enclosed is the presentation of the result of the tests at the IAS, prepared by Laurent and Olivier.
The pictures taken at the various stages of the work are available through the link: http://lpsc.in2p3.fr/ams/sallaz/
Enjoy !
All comments welcome.
Cheers

Michel, January 29, 2007

Status of CherCam & CD integration, etc.

Hi everyone,

Today was a very productive day mechanically and thermally, thanks to efforts by the CherCam and UMD people with the WFF mechanical contingent and Scott Cannon. Specifically:
* Scott Cannon now has all the info he needs to update his model and decide if CherCam needs 0, 2 or 4 heat pipes ( 1.5 weeks). He will design brackets to interface the heat pipes to the CherCam and on their other ends to the radiators in collaboration with Jean Noel. If the heat pipes are needed, the brackets will be fabricated by the CherCam folks in France and sent to UMD.
* Scott also has the info he needs to design brackets for the SCD heat pipes (4 locations x 2 pipes = 8 pipes needed).
* Steve briefed Victor Eyo and Mark Cording on the pallet repair (spare for CREAM-III, prime for CREAM-IV) concept and test results. Victor needs to complete his CREAM-III analysis (he received the CherCam STP files he needs) and then with a few hours of hand calculation will be able to confirm his feeling that the 2-part pallet is a go.
* Victor, Mark, Bob Davis and Steve also discussed the 2-part corner post idea and everyone seems confident this can be done for the spare corner posts (which will also be available for CREAM-IV). Steve will design this and Victor will confirm the design. This should cut the cost for 4 corner posts by at least $15k.
* The 2 CherCam interface brackets shipped via DHL finally arrived at the last minute (after being mis-routed 3 times) and were mounted to the CherCam.
* The CD was mounted to the CherCam i/f brackets with a minor problem - the mounting holes are a little off position due to tolerance buildup. The brackets are temporarily "pinned" using four #10 screws. Once CherCam is dismounted for thermal-vac the #10's will be removed and new holes will be match-drilled before the CherCam leaves.
* The CherCam/CD combination was mounted successfully to the 4 modified CREAM-I corner brackets, and the upper ISS was reattached to the pallet.
* Victor will double-check if the CREAM-I brackets are strong enough for the total 375 - 380 lbs for CherCam and CD including cables and bolts. If not, when the CherCam is dismounted for T-V we will replace the corner brackets with a set of 4 new CREAM-II style brackets that WFF will need to fabricate.

With all the above done, the CherCam folks are now making the last of their cables which will be mounted this evening. Tomorrow morning the plan is to test the command and housekeeping for the CherCam and continue with the DAQ integration. The French contingent will be flying out tomorrow night.
Cheers,

Opher, January 25, 2007

CREAM 3 Test Plan

Hi All,
I am starting to work on filling in the test schedule for next year, in which we will integrate and test the Flight 3 instrument. Sonny, who was more or less in charge of this last time is not with us for Flight 3 so we will all have to be more aware of what testing is needed for each subsystem.
Right now, I have just blocked out time for mechanical and electrical integration, thermal integration, functional test, muon testing, and burn-in. Thermal vacuum testing is still in the schedule, but we have been unable so far to identify a facility that will contain us without charging an excessive fee. As of now the plan is to forgo TV test at the system level, making it all the more important that each subsystem be tested on its own before delivery. I am leaving it in the schedule as a place holder in case of a miracle.
In the next weeks I will be going over the "Comprehensive Test" script that Sonny used for Cream 2 and will be sharing it with the group for suggested changes and additions. This test is the one we will use at various times to verify the correct operation of the instrument under laboratory conditions and during hang tests. What I need at this point, however, is a wish-list of testing from each sensor, specifying test conditions, duration, goal, special requirements (e.g. must run continuously for 72 hours) and relative importance. This testing is to allow you to understand and characterize the performance of your subsystem as it operates by itself and in concert with the rest of the instrument. The idea here is to avoid surprizes during flight but also to allow a higher confidence level in data analysis. I have already had input from MooHyun on the Calorimeter, and Nahee has begun thinking about the SCD but I need to hear from all the sensors. Your inputs will allow us to put together a test plan for the system. As the plan proceeds, I will be asking for procedures and for information about how to evaluate the data produced. In some cases I expect we will be able to accomodate testing with UMd personnel. In others it may be necessary for the subsystem to supply people to help. In any case, we will expect the relevant subsystems to monitor and analyze the data in real/near-real time to support the testing in a timely fashion. It would probably be a good idea for each group to be thinking about what data they will need to see and what software they will be using to analyze it. Any changes needed in the data distribution mechanism or GSE software used in Cream 2 must be identified soon as our resources for making changes are limited.
Your attention to this matter will help us achieve a reliable and well-understood instrument for Flight 3.

Peter, November 28, 2006

Instrument Delivery

The instrument is arrived at UMD from CERN.

Peter, November 9, 2006

Beam Test Status on Oct. 10th

Finally, all of electron tests in the program have been completed in principle at around 7 AM (Oct. 10th). After that, proton tuning was tried but failed since this H2 beam line is in negative polarity mode due to priority at the other beam line. So we took data with pions with different energies ( 300, 200, 150 GeV). After that, 200 GeV tertiary proton was tuned by Sasha and data was taken. From 9 PM, 150 electron beam was selected and angle scan was re-done due to mis-positioning of 60 degree run. Right now, 11 points scan for the study of the effect of SCD material is being done. After this scan is over, the horizontal position scan w/o Lead will be re-done since the vertical BT was not tuned at the first scan. After this, SCD scan study will be performed by Nahee until the beam is over at 8 AM (Oct. 11th). For the proton data, we expect to have chance to collect enough events during the CherCAM beam time.

MooHyun, October 11, 2006

Beam Test Status on Oct. 9th

Finally, after repair works on the accelerator from 8 AM (Oct. 9th) to 4:30 PM, beam came back to the H2 beam line. But it was after 5:30 PM when the beam condition becomes stable so that we could continue the remaining scan of 64 points in the calorimeter with lead in back configuration. By 10:30 PM, all the ribbon scans were completed and the lead blocks and tungsten plates were removed from the table. From 11:30 PM, HV scan (10.5, 9, 7.5, 6 , and 5 kV) started. From now on, the followings are being planned to be done.
* HV scan
* 2 mm pitch scan
* position scan ( 4 quadrants )
* angle scan (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 degrees)
* Energy scan ( 150, 250, 100, 50 GeV electron)
* Proton runs (Energy, angle scans)
Then all of calibration programs would be completed.

MooHyun, October 10, 2006

Beam Test Status on Oct. 7th

After completing the position scan with lead in front around 2 AM (Oct. 7th), the configuration has changed to the lead in back by 3 AM. But due to accelerator outages, only 36 points among 50 of horizontal scan could be completed today. From 4:40 AM, beam was on and off until 3:40 PM when the water leak at a magnet in the beam line caused beam off until Monday (9th) 8 AM when the repair work can starts. The accelerator coordinator came to the shift room at around 7 PM and told us that it would be late afternoon of Monday when the beam will be back. So far, we have completed scanning in two configurations (no lead, lead in front) and 36/100 points of lead in back. The completion of remaining scan within our beam time is very critical for the calibration of the calorimeter. Otherwise, we have to investigate with options to use the Cher-Cam beam time since the CherCam group is not planning to use the electron which is necessary for the calorimeter calibration. It will be when we have beam on Monday night to figure out the prospect of the completion of the calibration within our beam time.

MooHyun, October 8, 2006

Unfortunate Beam Status

Throughout Saturday Oct 7 there were many interruptions in the beam. Once we concluded the scan with lead in front and changed configuration to lead in back (Saturday 2 AM - 3 AM), the third and last scan began, but as of Saturday afternoon only 35 points of this scan had been completed (less than 3 hours of beam), with beam coming and going (mostly going). Finally, Saturday afternoon the beam operators announced that a major water leak in one of the magnets must be repaired. They hope it will be repaired by Monday afternoon. At this point we have had less than 60 beam hours out of over 130 total hours since Monday 8 AM. By Monday afternoon it will be out of 176 hours (1/3 duty cycle!). Hopefully the beam will be stable once it returns on Monday. We need only another 6.5 hours of good beam to complete the calibration. Anything beyond that would be "gravy" as they say, as we will carry out electron energy and angle scans, fine pitch scan, high statistics run, 4 quadrant center runs, proton energy and angle scans, etc. as time allows. Please pray for good beam...

Opher, October 7, 2006

Beam Test Status on Oct. 6th

Starting from 11 PM of last night (Oct. 5th), the vertical scan of calorimeter w/o lead in front completed by 4 AM (Oct. 6th). In an hour, Opher installed the lead block structure in front of the SCD top cover with helps of shift persons. From 5 AM, the horizontal scan with lead in front started and continued until the 9 PM for the completion due to another accelerator problems between 9 AM and 7 PM. From 7 PM, the vertical scan with lead in front has started.

Here is a brief summary of beam delivery history and test status. Oct. 2nd 4 PM - Oct. 4th 8 AM: Setup, Peak hold delay tuning, Position tuning, Horizontal scan (50), Vertical scan (37) w/o lead. 150 GeV e- Oct. 4th 8 AM - Oct. 5th 8 AM: MD (Machine development) No beam. Oct. 5th 8 AM - Oct. 5th 10 PM: Accelerator trouble, Rarely any beams useful. Oct. 5th 10 PM - Oct. 6th 9 AM: Vertical scan w/o lead (50), Horizontal scan with lead in front started. 150 GeV e- Oct. 6th 9 AM - Oct. 6th 7 PM: Accelerator trouble, Rarely any beams useful. Oct. 6th 7 PM - present: Horizontal scan with lead in front (50) complete, Vertical scan in progress. 150 GeV e-

MooHyun, October 6, 2006

Beam Test Status on Oct. 5th

After 24 hours of MD(machine development), we have started the shift from 8AM. But there have been not much of data taking between 8AM to 10PM when the accelerator had many troubles. After 10PM, we started to take vertical scan of calorimeter without lead in front. Since there were offsets in Y-direction BT counters, there was about an hour of position tuning for the vertical scan after 10PM. From 11PM, the vertical scan has started. After completing the 50 positions, we will go to the configuration with the lead in front. It would be after another 4-5 hours from now on.

MooHyun, October 5, 2006

Beam Test Status on Oct. 4th

Since an accelerator machine development (MD) scheduled for 24 hours from this morning 8 AM, we stopped taking beam data after about 40 hours of data taking. During the period, we have tuned positions of detectors, peak hold delay values and monitoring softwares with the 150 GeV electron beam. After the tuning, we have completed the full 50 horizontal position scan and 37 out of 50 positions in vertical position scan with 5000 events/position without lead blocks. Today after the beam is off, those data were analyzed and found that there are two pairs of channels with mis-mapping. Also one of channels is very noisy when the Bias is ON. Other than that, we saw very impressive data from the calorimeter such as resolutions are less than 6% without calibration, which is what we could achieve with the CREAM-1 beam test after calibration. We are producing plots from those analysis and some of results will be available soon either by e-mail or web. Tomorrow(Oct. 5th), we will continue the position scan from 8AM.

MooHyun, October 5, 2006

Beam Test Status on Oct. 2nd Noon-Midnight

Installation of the beam trackers(BT) including making cables and mechanical support strucuture are done in the afternoon of the Oct. 2nd. After setting up trigger signal and starting the DAQ program, we took the first beam data with 150 GeV positron and started to debug on-line monitoring programs. It took about an hour to figure out why there are no signals either in calorimeter or in SCD. It turned out that the detectors were slightly away from the beam line since the position of the moving table was not checked after the installation and cabling. But it helped to debug the on-line monitoring programs during the procedure. After the first data taken,we adjusted positions of the CREAM instruments and the BT based on the data. At the beginning of the data taking, we measured the DAQ speed in different configurations. For example, we could achieve about 40 Hz in average with all 3 devices are read out fully when we had about 2000 of triggers during the beam spill. In case when we read out only calorimeter, the rate went up to about 100 Hz. I remember that it was less than 20 Hz in average during the 2003 beam tests. But I think that it was not the DAQ rate but the beam rate that restricted us to have that low rate. In the process of beam tuning, we switched from the positron beam to the electron beam due to purity of the positron signals in the energy sum distributions were low compared with the electron beam case. This seem to me different from what we had with the 2003 beam time. We used to have a very clean positron but with limited trigger rate of about 400 triggers/spill at that time. With the better electron beams, we took peak hold delay scan runs with all three detectors(CAL/SCD/BT). The analysis of the data took quite amount time for debugging of the off-line analysis codes. Eventually, the analysis of the peak hold delay points for each detectors completed around 6PM Oct. 3rd. YougSoo, Nahee and JiHye worked hard to debug and generate codes to analyze and monitor each sub-detector's data. So by around 6PM, we started to take data in the position scan mode in 1 cm step in the normal mode. We are going to take 5k events per point. When we assume about 50% purity of electron in each data, it will be about 2500 events per strip. It was only 1500 events/strip in the 2003. In summary, even though it took longer time to start the first beam test program of the position scanning due to increase of preparation works with 2 additional detectors after the calorimeter, I am very happy to see nice data from all three detectors. For example, I see a very clean shower profile from the calorimeter data. Also the signals from those strips where shower maximum is are very clean compared with the CREAM-1/2 data with dips in the distribution. In a brief analysis of the electron data, I found that the resolution of 150 GeV electron w/o any calibration was about 7%, which is already very close to the resolution of about 6% after the calibration in the 2003 beam test data. Another thing is that the amount of light from the CREAM-3 calorimeter seem to improve about 15% when we look at the energy sum of 5 strips for all 20 layers. Since we expected to have about 60% of light output from the double cladding fiber, it was a little disappointment and need to find out why. I hope to finish the position scan program by 8AM on the Oct. 4th when the beam will be off for a day due to a machine development in the accelerator. During the off-time, we are planning to have the off-line analysis program running to have the calibration raw data available and see the quality of the data.

MooHyun, October 3, 2006

Preparation of Beam Test at CERN

Here's a brief progress report. The 3 crates arrived safely before we got to CERN. Sasha arranged for them to reach the beam building on Thursday afternoon. We arrived at CERN and proceeded to get registered, get access cards, get film badges, check in to the hostel, and attended a mandatory 1 hour safety training video session. Once all this was done we checked on the instrument and other equipment. Friday the riggers craned the rotation fixture into the staging area, and helped us install the instrument on it. We completed the mechanical setup, and most of the electronic set up. In the afternoon Sasha brought us the box shipped separately by Peter, at which time we took out a 220VAC -> 12VDC converter which allowed us to complete the power setup. Both the calorimeter and SCD underwent CPT successfully. We purchased a bike chain with lock and used it to secure the instrument in the staging area whenever we were not there. Since at that point everything that was needed for the beam test was done, we took advantage of the good weather to have a quick site seeing tour on Saturday. Sunday we went back to the staging area and carried out some additional trigger noise measurements at 10.5 kV and 6 kV, etc. which was not needed for the beam test, but will be needed for the flight.

This morning we showed up at 8 AM at the beam enclosure. The riggers arrived about an hour later and craned the instrument/rotation fixture onto the table, and the lead holder next to the table. We cabled up everything, rotated the instrument 90 degrees into the beam, and hosted a safety verification team inspection. We also set up a shift list until the end of the run. Sasha is now busy cabling up the trigger and setting up the Beam Tracker (BT) with MooHyun. Once they are done, assuming beam is available, MooHyun will start tuning the position, etc. in preparation for data taking. Everyone is at the beam building except JiHye and I who will be on shift from midnight tonight. The beam itself had some problems, and as of 4 PM had still not been available. Thus we have so far only used time with no beam available for setting up. We're hoping to be able to start scanning sometime this evening, and no later than midnight.

Opher, October 2, 2006

Arrival of Instrument at CERN

The CREAM instrument and other crates have arrived at CERN. They are already at the staging area on the H2 beam line. No damage at all. Looks perfect. Everybody has arrived safely, registered and film-badged. The crates are unpacked and we are setting the instrument up.

Sasha, September 28, 2006

Measurement of Tungsten plates

Measurement of all the tungsten plates are done. (In fact, most of layers are finished early. The last plate measured recently due to late delivery.)

Peter, August 22, 2006

Electronics Thermal Test

Before removing VA/TA chips from CREAM 1 ASIC boards, current electronics and thermal status need to be checked. So, test setup was established through thermal chamber for all 4 HPD-electronics boxes. Thermal test is started.

Young Soo, August 20, 2006

Electronics for Silicon Beam Tracker

The second electronics board for Silicon Beam Tracker was assembled by Joonhyuk and tested by Larry adn Moohyun.

Young Soo, August 18, 2006

UV LED test Completed!

All 44 new cookies and a couple of old CREAM 1 cookies are tested using UV LED. (Only a few ribbons in CREAM 1 cookies are tested for comparison purpose.) Thanks to all participants for UV LED test.(Peter, JiHye, Aram, Steven, Kichun, Chanho, Joonhyuk, Warren, and YoungSoo)

Young Soo, August 17, 2006

Optics Gluing Completed!

Gluing light mixers to IFO fibers in cookies are completed for 41 good and 3 available cookies.
Gluing station was disassembled by Peter and Aram.

Young Soo, August 15, 2006

THE PALETTE !!!

THE PALETTE for CREAM III has arrieved !!!

Peter, August 4, 2006

Cookies and Optics Gluing Status

All 50 Cookies are arrived from Fermi Lab! After visiual check, JiHye found that there are 6 bad cookies with no light in some fibers and three available and 41 good cookies. So far 5 cookies are glued.
Glued Cookies are need to be tested with UV LED to check the response. John(high school intern) was setting up for stepping moter system.

Young Soo, July 31, 2006

Last Tungsten Plate!!!

Finally the last tungsten plate, which was reported "lost" during the delivery, came to the lab!!!

Peter, July 26, 2006

Cookie and Gluing Status

19 more cookies after ice cut are arrived from Fermi Lab. JiHye and students checked the status. There were 5 bad cookies. (No signal and wrong positions..)
After several times of gluing practice, gluing light mixers to IFO fiber in a cookie started!
Aram, Dmitry, Steven, Young Soo, and Jihye are working on gluing.

Young Soo, July 26, 2006

Carbon target legs

Steve is working on gluing legs to carbon target cases.

Young Soo, July 21, 2006

Optics Gluing Status

Light mixers to ribbon gluing is finished by Peter and students. There are good 1200 (+ alpha) ribbons with light mixers
6 Cookies are arrived after ice cutting from Fermi Lab. Light mixer gluing to IFO fibers in cookie will start soon.

Young Soo, July 21, 2006

CAL HPD-electronics Box Status

From last Wednesday to Saturday, full readout test for CREAM II -Y box was performed. It was set 8.5kV (HV Level =2800) because it had trip at 9kV at earlier trials. And it had gone through 72 hours without any problems. After that, from Sunday evening to this evening, full readout test for CREAM II +Y box was done. It was set 9kV (HV Level=3000) and it didn't show any problem for 72 hours.
On May, CREAM II -X was tested. It was ok.

In summary, so far three CREAM II boxes were tested and they passed the test.

CREAM II -X : 2006/5/13 - 2006/5/16; At 9kV
CREAM II -Y : 2006/7/12 - 2006/7/15; At 8.5 kV
CREAM II +Y : 2006/7/16 - 2006/7/19; At 9kV

CREAM II +X is in treatment now, as I heard from Peter.

Young Soo, July 19, 2006

Weekly Status

Ribbons and light mixers are in the lab. Light mixers to ribbon gluing will start soon.

Peter, June 27, 2006

Weekly Status

Scintillating fibers came back from coating. After practice, students will start gluing light mixer and scintillating fibers. Currently, we have 450 light mixers and will have some more this week according to Opher.

Peter, June 20, 2006

USB Interface status

The USB interface to the sparsification board is almost finished. With a hardware revision, the event transfer speed for a calorimeter sparsification board is about 210 events per second. However, reading from a device fails and I will investigate the cause and fix it. This is the current status.

Sonny, May 24, 2006

USB Interface status

The USB interface to the sparsification board is almost finished. With a hardware revision, the event transfer speed for a calorimeter sparsification board is about 210 events per second. However, reading from a device fails and I will investigate the cause and fix it. This is the current status.

Sonny, May 24, 2006

Ribbons from Bicron

Diamond Milled Scintillating ribbons from Bicron are arrived at the Lab.
JiHye said Peter and Opher were so happy with the arrived box.

YoungSoo, May 24, 2006

Weekly Status

1279 Scintillating ribbons are delivered to Bicron for diamond milling. Diamond milling will be done soon and it's expected shipment from Bicron this week. This is actually ahead of schedule!!! Then, these ribbons will ship tp Spectrum for mirroring. Opher has alerted Spectrum and it trying for quick turnaround form them.
We have 15 additional spares by Steven.
17 Cookies out of 50 stuffed by Jihye, Kichun, YoungSoo and DMitry.
USB Interface for Sparsification test is going on by Sonny and Larry.

Peter, May 23, 2006

Weekly Status

1280 Scintillating ribbons are delivered to Bicron for diamond milling.
7 new tungsten plates are arrived and they are all intact. Daniel stated measureing size and thickness of each plates.

Peter, May 16, 2006

Weekly Status

First batch of 1100 Scintillating ribbons are shipped to Bicron for diamond milling.
IFO fiber striping was completed by JiHye and Young Soo.
JiHye started doing cookie stuffing.
Rev. 1 Spardification board using USB interface populated and preliminary test was done.

Peter, May 9, 2006

Weekly Status Summary

Now we have 1000 good ribbons made. With spare cookies we need total of 1250 ribbons. Making ribbons will be finished 1-2 weeks.
About IFO fiber, there are about 350 fibers out of 1500 need to be striped. JiHye started stuffing. The first cookie will come out soon.
About USB interface board, 2nd generation board will be released this week.

Peter, May 2, 2006

Calorimeter Construction : Making Ribbon Status

We are over half way finished making scintilling ribbons ( with 718 good ribbons made out of 1250-1400 needed ).

Peter, Apr 21, 2006

SCD Cosmic Ray Test Setup

After original PMTs were removed from S3, there were simple inspections. Patching and Sealing were done. Two PMTs from UMD were mounted. We could see the signal!!! Then, we(Nahee, JiHye, and YoungSoo) are trying to configure equipment such as NIM modules..

Young Soo, Apr 20, 2006

Calorimeter Construction : Striping Fibers after ICE cut

Ji-Hye and Young Soo are working on striping fibers and selecting bad one. So far, 900 fibers in first batch are done. There are about 600 more fibers to be done.

Young Soo, Apr 16, 2006

SCD Refurbishment

Nahee is working on SCD refurbishment.

Mar, 2006

Calorimeter Construction : Gluing Fibers

Students and Peter are starting gluing Scintillating fibers to ribbons in the Lab. Ling who used to work on making CREAM 1 fibers a few years ago, visited the lab and made suggestions for making ribbons. Young Soo, Mar 27, 2006