On the evening of July 12, the successful probe release was the climax of an evening of fun and anticipation as Project Galileo friends and family crowded von Kármán Auditorium. After a review of the Probe's mission by host Jan Ludwinski (Chief of Mission Planning) and co-hosts Lou D'Amario (Deputy Chief for Navigation), Gary Kunstmann (Deputy Engineering Office Manager), and Dan Carlock (Hughes Aircraft Company analyst, Probe Engineering Team), guest speakers Bill O'Neil and Dr. Ed Stone contributed to the festivities.
Fun was provided by the Not Ready for Real-Time Players (team members all) who amazed the audience with their rendition of the Orbiter's song (to the tune of "Turkey in the Straw"):
"Probe in the bay, sent it on its way,
Sayonara baby, we'll meet again some day,
I pointed you for entry and I gave you a good spin,
I'll be glad to catch your signals as you are going in."
And then the Probe's refrain (to the tune of "Release Me"):
"Please release me, can't you see,
You have your own trajectory,
For years we've wandered to and fro,
But now, it's time to let me go."
Video animations, provided by the Digital Image Animation Laboratory, simulated the release taking place 789 million km away. Release was accomplished as the three pyrotechnic separation nuts fired and the springs nudged the Probe away. Anticipation heightened as the crowd waited from 10:30 p.m. PDT when the Orbiter released its Probe until the final 10-s countdown, ending when the confirmation signal arrived about 37 minutes later (time for the radio signal to travel at the speed of light). Another milestone passed.
The Not Ready for Real-Time Players in a rare appearance at the Probe Release celebration.
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