Elijah X Launch and Recovery Search.

Elijah X launch and recovery search

1:24 am ~ One of our many stops on the way to Eau Claire.

2:31 pm ~ Another pit stop along the way. Matt's climbing the wall and Cara thought this would be a nice spot for a photo.

2:34 am ~ There's no reason for alarm, Matt's a pro.

2:37 am ~ Matt and Nick doing some more climbing.

3:53 am ~ Finally the team has reached Eau Claire and is looking for a place to launch.

4:01 am ~ Just arrived at the launch site and starting to unpack.

4:06 am ~ Eric and Matt have the tarp laid out, which is necessary for launch to protect the balloon from getting dirty.

4:07 am ~ Lee connecting the car radio to the battery in his van.

4:18 am ~ Eric and Matt working with the tracking capsule.

4:23 am ~ Nick and Eric hauling the helium tanks out to the launch location.

4:24 am ~ Matt holding up the assembled tracking and science payloads.

4:27 am ~ Eric trying out his video camera.

4:28 am ~ Matt attaching the dog collar sounding device to the tracking capsule.

4:30 am ~ Laptops and equipment sitting in the Marquette truck.

4:35 am ~ Nick trying on the protective gloves for handling the balloon.

4:36 am ~ Matt and Nick going through the equipment needed to fill and secure the balloon.

4:36 am ~ Sealing the balloon where it connects to the nozzle as a secondary precaution against helium leakage.

4:39 am ~ The Elijah team getting the helium connections ready.

4:41 am ~ Just not able to resist.

4:43 am ~ Again.. not able to resist.

4:44 am ~ Lee's attempt at hiding.

4:59 am ~ Finally, a few minutes to rest.

5:03 am ~ The sign at the road entrance from where we launched on the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire campus.

5:03 am ~ The choosen launch site: University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

5:30 am ~ A look at the launch setup as daylight breaks.

5:35 am ~ Matt and Nick beginning the balloon filling process.

5:37 am ~ Nick holding the balloon up as it fills to prevent it from touching the ground.

5:37 am ~ The Elijah team watches at the balloon continues filling with helium.

5:37 am ~ Filling the balloon.

5:40 am ~ Filling the balloon.

5:40 am ~ Looking back at the chase vehicles.

5:41 am ~ Filling the balloon.

5:42 am ~ Smile Nick.

5:45 am ~ Filling the balloon.

5:47 am ~ A last look at the Elijah X tracking equipment.

5:47 am ~ The filling of the balloon almost complete.

5:48 am ~ Matt and Nick checking the lift on the balloon with a fish scale.

5:49 am ~ A look from our launch setup at the UW-Eau Claire athletic field.

5:49 am ~ The balloon's almost ready.

5:51 am ~ Eric turning on all the tracking equipment, ready for launch.

5:52 am ~ Thanks Lee for posing for the picture.

5:53 am ~ The balloon is just about full and ready for launch.

5:53 am ~ Matt and Nick watching the fish scale for the correct amount of lift.

6:01 am ~ Just about ready for launch.

6:04 am ~ Checking the fish scale as the helium filling is nearly complete.

6:08 am ~ The fish scale, reading the right amount of lift. The proper amount of helium to add is determined by having two to four pounds of lift over the weight of the entire payload and parachute assembly.

6:09 am ~ Attaching the parachute to the balloon nozzle.

6:12 am ~ Allowing the tethered balloon to rise, lifting the parachute.

6:12 am ~ The tracking and science payloads are attached underneath the parachute.

6:13 am ~ Ready for launch.

6:13 am ~ Releasing the balloon.

6:13 am ~ Looking up at the balloon as it is released. The ropes seen will fall back to the ground as the balloon rises. The ropes are staked on one end and have the other end free in order to slip through the loop connecting the parachute to the balloon.

6:14 am ~ The entire balloon assembly finally free.

6:14 am ~ Bye-bye balloon.

6:14 am ~ The balloon disappearing.

6:15 am ~ Getting smaller.

6:18 am ~ The chase begins, as shown from the Marquette truck following Lee's blue van.

6:29 am ~ Early morning fog.

6:31 am ~ Following Lee's van in the chase to stay underneath the balloon.

6:34 am ~ The Wisconsin countryside.

6:39 am ~ Eric in the back of the Marquette truck trying to maintain sight of the balloon.

6:39 am ~ Some Wisconsin sightseeing.

6:40 am ~ The Wisconsin skyline.

6:48 am ~ The Wisconsin countryside, including some cows.