Joining the tested & proven Mk1-A and -B boosters into a multi-stage rocket is the next logical step in our bid for higher apokee. What could go wrong?
As the first mission of a new vehicle, this dispatch includes all the design and development leading up to launch. To skip to the launch, click here.
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's looking like our first launch from KSC won't be a rocket. To test Progenitor payload instruments we've partnered up with KerBalloons
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Wernher & Cheranne have 2 payload instruments to test, don't want to wait for Progeny Mk2. More details here: bit.ly/KerBalloonPR
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
science data from the KerBalloon probe has been fully analyzed and both instruments performed as designed. Will be rocket payloads someday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Launch ctrl is GO. Tracking station is GO. Wx is GO. Range safety is GO. Progeny Mk1-B is GO. Flight is GO! Final all-around checks nominal!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
chute deployment command sent by launch control was good & we have a chute! We also have a booster sitting next to our tracking station 0_0
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
waaay too close for comfort. Hopefully not a problem when this is higher up and further downrange as a second stage on the Progeny Mk2
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we don't stop kerbs from coming in to work on weekends. Many live here, so tough to step away sometimes. But we also don't always mandate it
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
in general most employees like to take advantage of the greater availability of various KSC facilities to work on personal projects
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB's project to start this week off is construction of a spin table which can be used to ensure that rocket payloads are properly balanced
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's time to fly higher! The Progeny Mk2 will take the Progenitor Program to its next successive step. Full details: bit.ly/ProgenitorPR4
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
computerized control systems remain mired in development, but R&D reports things are moving forward in conjunction w/ USI. No ETA given tho
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
speaking of R&D, you'd think cameras would be easy right? However Wernher says "when you have to attach things to rockets, nothing is easy"
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
in a week these disparate parts will be assembled into a fully-functional Progeny Mk2 rocket for launch. Get to it, crews!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Flight Director Lanalye has the afternoon booked solid with drills for her team of controllers to get rdy for the KerBalloon & Mk2 launches
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Simon says he's definitely getting more exercise now that he's walking to and fro between the HAB and the VAB several times a day
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
both bit.ly/ProgenyMk2-1 boosters were assembled today and are ready to be joined tomorrow, then given a thorough lookover
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good progress being made in the VAB this night cycle as final integration testing for the Mk2 boosters wraps up. What a thing of beauty
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
another busy week here at KSC, let us recap & expand upon events. As always, everyone have a great weekend bit.ly/OpsSummary10-1…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny launch base has been picked up and moved out north of the runway. The Mk2 will be launching west to ensure recovery over land
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/ProgenyMk2-1 payload is ready to be closed up, will be integrated with the booster section tomorrow morning for final testing
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny Mk2 was fully integrated first thing this morning and Simon reports integration testing is proceeding well. Looks great!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're doing another test of the emergency siren system. This is just a test. After the last Mk1-B booster flyback, we're taking no chances
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lanalye says her team is ready. Simon says the rocket is ready. bit.ly/ProgenyMk2-1 on track for launch tomorrow! Get hype! Much excite!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
🌅Sunrise/Sunset🌄
@ KSC (UTC-4)
10/26
#2🌄09:51:52
#3🌅12:32:06 !!🚀!! 🌄15:52:43
#4🌅18:32:57 🌄21:53:34
10/27
#1🌅00:33:48 🌄03:54:25
#2🌅06:34:39
@ KSC (UTC-4)
10/26
#2🌄09:51:52
#3🌅12:32:06 !!🚀!! 🌄15:52:43
#4🌅18:32:57 🌄21:53:34
10/27
#1🌅00:33:48 🌄03:54:25
#2🌅06:34:39
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Goooooood morning space tweeps! Who's ready for a rocket launch? We are!! Slight tweak to launch schedule as launch site is 1.2km away today
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
weather kerbs stuck their heads outside, found that it wasn't raining, so soon this launch base will hold a ready bit.ly/ProgenyMk2-1
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
hoo boy we're going to need a bigger truck soon. A platform xtension was strutted to the rear to support the Mk2's other end. It's 5.7m tall
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we put in some extra time for mounting not just because of the distance, but the terrain - no paved roads to the launch site. taking it slow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
pretty much all staff gathering atop the VAB & astronaut complex to watch the launch. Everyone wants to check out the dual stages in action
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
L-2hrs! Don't forget you can visit bit.ly/ProgenyMk2-1 to see a countdown clock & even set your browser to remind you 5min to launch!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
445kg rocket mounted on sched & preflight has begun @ launch ctrl following this morning's pre-launch briefing by Flight Director Lanalye
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
in a few minutes we'll start to clear the area around the launch site (200m radius, 2km downrange cone) so final preflight can be completed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Pretty much. We tweet the launch schedule because those milestones in the countdown are when you should expect updates from us twitter.com/DKerman_KSA/st…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
kerbs on the roof of the astronaut complex are having a cheering match with those atop the VAB to see who can be the loudest, apparently?
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
oh that explains it, Jeb is outside launch ctrl acting as MC for the launch today it seems. Couldn't hear the speakers inside, pointed away
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
L-18min: another Wx check passed - still not raining. Clouds looking like they will clear. Countdown continuing. View from stationary cam
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Val wants you all to know that is Minmus setting to the west, BTW
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
*OONTZ OONTZ OONTZ OONTZ*
wow Jeb is really working the crowd out there. Lanalye went outside to tell him (nicely) to turn down the beats
wow Jeb is really working the crowd out there. Lanalye went outside to tell him (nicely) to turn down the beats
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
L-5min and we have final polling: Launch control is GO. Tracking station is GO. Wx is GO. Range safety is GO. Progeny is GO. Flight is GO!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
L-2min, which is about the same that we expect for flight time after launch. Launch controllers poised and ready to hit the Big Red Button
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
RT @DKerman_KSA: hang tight everyone, lotsa procedures to follow before we can say what we think just happened, but yea - some part of the rocket blew up...
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Ok - things calming down. Inflight anomaly occured 2-3s after launch - 1st stage exploded, 2nd stage ignited itself & carried payload away
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
upon explosion controllers armed payload chute as per protocol, but for some reason it deployed & was ripped to shreds by second stage Gs
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
debris remains contained to within launch range, all observers safe. Launch ctrl performing post-abort. More info as we gather up the pieces
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we will release full video footage after we have a chance to extensively review everything to determine what's happening here twitter.com/DKerman_KSA/st…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
everyone's shuffled dejectedly back inside. General consensus: explosion was really cool, but total loss of the rocket is very tough to bear
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Simon has torn through the engineering dept making sure every memo, blueprint & scribble attributed to the Mk2 is collected for analysis
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
without recovery of the telemetry data unit, we will need to rely mainly on video footage from our two cameras and basic tlm beamed to TS
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
even though after the Mk1-A payload destruction the TDU was hardened against impact, it still required at least a partial chute deployment
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
RT @justhereforksa: A two-stage rocket / Sounds like a great idea, right? / Still needs some work, though.
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
finished cleanup of launch area has turned up many small pieces of fin, small pieces of chute, small pieces of booster - you get the picture
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's doubtful any of this debris (also a mangled but intact payload truss) will help, but you can never know, so it's all been collected
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
been a long day, very trying on morale here @ KSC. What we know so far about the incident u can read in this release bit.ly/ProgenitorPR5
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
unsurprisingly the media is having a field day, still. Always amazing how a single failure can seem to wipe clean all past successes
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we highly recommend all staff not watch KNN or check any online media outlets, come back to work fresh & focused tomorrow! Get some rest!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
coming into work everyone is a bit glum - engineers lost a rocket, scientists lost a payload, but all are determined to figure out why
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
looong day of reviews & meetings between Drew, Simon and Lanalye as all launch data and footage was reviewed multiple times. Back at it tmrw
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
stationary cam footage of the Progeny Mk2 launch released. Payload can be seen impacting too @ 0:45, lower-left youtube.com/watch?v=Tg7x6y…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we do have some new info on the launch anomaly investigation, which will be released later at the end of today with our weekly ops report
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Weekly Ops Summary is posted, w/ some new info on the Progeny Mk2 launch anomaly & a review of KerBalloon ops + more bit.ly/OpsSummary10-2…
