Let’s Get Down to Rigging…

…to defeat…chronic back pain. Or something like that. Yesterday, the MagAO-X team partook in rigging and crane safety training (or craining for short).

“Why do we need a blog post about rigging? I just don’t get it!” ~ Anonymous MagAO-X Team Member

Fair point, anonymous group member. However, plenty of excitement occurs during crainings.

I have included a list of famous crane operators below:

  1. Tony Ullakko (former world champion crane operator)
  2. Katie Kelleher (top 100 women in construction and owner of katiecranes.com)
  3. Tom Gordon (former crane operator at 1 World Trade Center)
  4. Jared Males

Our craining day began with Maggie modeling the iconic Sketcher’s work boot.

We then embarked on a drive up to Mt. Hopkins where a few of us had an in-depth discussion on life, interpersonal relationships, and the critically acclaimed film Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising.

I forgot to take a picture depicting the conversations in question, so here’s an image of the observatory sign that I took.

I saw the sign. And it opened up my eyes, and I am happy now.

Our craining got off to an exhilarating start. Below, Katie and Eden can be seen reacting to a sling failure compilation.

Wire we watching this? Because safety is no accident.

Our craining also featured a GMT cameo and a thorough sling inspection.

Following our craining, we got an MMT(our) of the facilities!

Finally, we engaged in some hands-on rigging training…

…and inspected the adaptive secondary mirror.

The ASM is looking mighty fine!

Thus concludes the first ever MagAO-X craining session!

Song of the Day:

Men Without Hats-Safety Dance