Sunday, 4th October 2015 – The day for refueling the JR arrived. The JR has been chilling by the Port of Darwin and it is time for her to sail towards the refueling dock located 5km away.
The crew of course had to retract the mooring lines at the bow and stern as well as the anchors. A few intrepid and inquisitive scientists who decided not to return into the city again headed towards the bridge to watch the crew prepare the JR for sail.
On the bridge is where the other Internet ‘snow globe’ satellite is located. The JR required 2 tugboats to gently nudge her off the port until the main engines are able to propel her towards the refueling port. She takes approximately 22 to 24 hours to refuel.
As she sets sail towards the refueling port, I waved my final goodbyes to Darwin and landmass. We are expected to leave for the Maldives at 06:00 tomorrow.
–Anna Ling
Anna Ling is a Ph.D student in the Centre for Carbonate Research in the Department of Marine Geosciences at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
