While there wasn't a chance to launch the past two nights, we did have some great practice at the countdown and watching the skies for the perfect aurora event. Sometimes the weather winds cooperate and the solar wind does not, and sometimes it's the other way around. The last two nights it was the payload that didn't cooperate. We're hoping for the moment when it will all be in sync and we'll be ready for it. 

What do we do in the meantime? Watch the skies, watch the data on our monitors in the science center, and try to synthesize it all in real time --- like a dress rehearsal for an actual launch event. We had an excellent night to practice tonight, with lots of aurora, including our target: pulsating aurora. While this would not have been an event to launch into, it was exciting to see it and have those discussions. 

Tomorrow we'll be back up on the rail and ready to launch if the space weather gives us the right opportunity!