Both high and low altitude crews are dispatched deep into the Badlands for multiple releases as part of a larger scientific expedition to investigate a suspected super volcano caldera at Site X02-V
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Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's not time yet for everyone to enjoy the weekend - majority of Kerbin II operations team will be at it until late today - but if it's time for you to log off already be sure to first catch up on major events from these last two weeks: kerbalspace.agency/?p=11332
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
both KerBalloon crews will be venturing with an expedition deep into the Badlands to explore a suspected super-volcano caldera. Multiple releases will measure weather and also collect gas information. Kerbin II will support the mission by allowing more constant contact
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
unlike a previous mission where just the small KB crew used Kerbin II to stay in touch with a nearby support base, this large expedition will be more remote, carry a lot more support but also cover a wider area and be able to stay in direct contact with spread out teams as well
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KerBalloon crews have shipped out from Umbarg aboard airships carrying the expedition out to the Badlands. They will pick up supplies shipped earlier to DSN Central then head down to spend a month researching the suspected caldera, releasing 3 low & 5 hi-alt balloons
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
plenty of exciting things to recount & expound upon from these past 2wks, so be sure to check our Ops Summary this weekend while you are kicking back to relax - at least we hope you are! What are your plans? Our crew will be off on a wilderness excursion kerbalspace.agency/?p=11398
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Badlands expedition going well, here is a low-alt balloon being released near the center of what is now even more strongly believed to be a caldera. There doesn't appear to be any active vents or geysers but if gas is escaping into the air the instruments aboard will detect it
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
coming up on a Kerbin II contact window with the expedition the KerBalloon crews are attached to, which will bounce a signal to DSN Central that will be distributed via ground cables to the command centers here at KSC and Sheltered Rock where the science expedition is based from
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
as you can see, Kerbin II does travel away from the expedition site & is not able to communicate every pass. In general the ground teams have 5-8 mins during 5 windows ~35min apart, then a ~3hr wait for the start of the next 5-window pass
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
despite regular contact capability through Kerbin II, no news has been good news from the KB expedition out in the Badlands. Things are wrapping up with all 8 balloons successfully released & recovered. Team should be back home this weekend
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
both KerBalloon crews, the last hold outs of 2020 operations, returned today from their extended Badlands expedition. They look forward to a break from the field as first half of 2021 will need their assistance w/ rocketry programs to meet a demanding launch schedule
