GlobalFlyer Links and Updates

Update 3: Looks like things are green again for tomorrow.

Launch is planned between 0641 and 0706 Wednesday 8 February.

The fuel leak is fixed and we believe the worldwide wind pattern is acceptable. I hope to be flying in the morning.

Steve

Update 2:

At the moment there is debate as to which day would be better to take off and whether the jet streams around the world would compliment the conditions of the chosen takeoff day. Currently Mission Control is waiting for meteorological data which will assist in any decision making and all data will be discussed with Steve later this evening at approximately 20:00UTC.

Update: Due to a crosswind and a possible fuel vent leak problem the GlobalFlyer will not be launching today. As you may remember in the previous around the world attempt there was a fuel leak problem when the aircraft was nearly fully fueled. They redesigned the tank, however due to the dangers of flying the plane with full fuel they have not actually tested the new tanks in flight. They are currently debating a take-off tomorrow morning however they say chances are low due to the necessary application of fuel sealant material.

“Unfortunately for today a small mechanical issue called a halt to the flight. We have discoverd a small fuel leak which happens to be an element of the fuel system which we changed last flight. This new element has never been tested with a full fuel load before… We learned once it was fully fuelled that we have a small leak in that system. The leak is a fairly simple thing to fix but it will take around 24 hours because it requires fuel sealant material.

”One of the new vent systems that has been added in the boom tank is where the problem occured and one of the vent lines that penetrate the tank has a leak and this was discovered when fuel started leaking out of the wheel well.“ – Jon Karkow of Scaled Composities

I know we have a high proportion of Beechcraft drivers here at Flight Nest. N514RS, a Beechcraft Starship has been seen on the NASA webcam images. Very cool!

Here are a few links for the launch fo the Virgin GlobalFlyer.

• Mission Control Live Tracking and Video.
• Mission Control Log
• Flight Plan
• GlobalFlyer News
• Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility webcam images
• N277SF GlobalFlyer Flight Tracking
• N377SF Flight Tracking (Steve’s Citation)
• KTTS NASA Shuttle Landing Facility information

As other pertinent links appear I’ll attempt to add them to the list.