Before we send any units out for contract work we want to make sure they function properly, as this test flight will ascertain.
As the first mission of a new vehicle, this dispatch includes all the design and development leading up to deployment. To skip to the mission, click here.
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KerBalloon, with help from our R&D labs, has worked up a new light, highly-flexible material that will allow us to send balloons higher
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
these new high-altitude units, which will come with the parachute attachments, are expected to be delivered at the beginning of January
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
new batteries have arrived, carrying 60 units of electric charge (20 more than two of our prev batts together) and only weighing 0.002t more
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
these will be for our high-alt KerBalloon probes & also for the next iteration of the Progeny rockets (not the current Mk2.1s already built)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
this is our final contract because we'll be out of KerBalloon units. Next month we'll get a shipment including a new high-altitude balloon!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all of us here are sooo ready for this weekend. Busy week! Everyone have a relaxing weekend! Catch up on everything: bit.ly/OpsSummary12-1…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Ops Dir @DKerman_KSA sent out a memo wishing everyone a great day because today is our 100th day of operations since the KSA began. kerzzah!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB reports the Z-60 batteries have undergone their full test regimen and are cleared for use on rocket/balloon probes starting next year
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
that's it! We're out! Everyone enjoy the holiday, see you next year! Before you go though, here's a 2017 preview: bit.ly/OpsSummary12-1…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're back! KSA gradually returning to full operations this week. We expect this to be an exciting calendar year & a full one at that!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
everyone has been spending all day getting back up to speed from where they left off at the end of Dec, rdy to hit ground running tomorrow!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB & HAB gearing up for a big parts delivery later this wk that will let them start on Progeny Mk3, KerBallon & Civvie production projects
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Specialists Bill & Bob have been seeking more work so they've been attached to the KerBalloon program to assist w/science & engineering
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bad news from Kravass where a storm is sweeping thru, all airships grounded, no parts delivery today. Looks to be heading towards us next
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KSA ops will be suspended from 1/11-1/16 while various work on our facilities is undertaken to repair some more building issues we've found
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
contractor says this is the earliest they can get the work done. Wish it could have been over Dec break but that's a holiday for *everyone*
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
nice weather, high cloud ceiling & little to no wind. Cpt Jeb will take the Civvie out after 2nd sunrise for a flight to satisfy 2 contracts
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
there won't be any in-flight photos this time, both cameras were unmounted to be integrated for hi-alt balloon test launch later this month
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
our supply airship arrived and has been moored outside the Support Village warehouse. Will be unloading rest of the day. New parts, yay!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Looong day for the VAB/HAB crews but everything got pulled and sorted from the warehouse to the facilities, ready to begin work tomorrow!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KSA operations are now suspended through 1/15, will return 1/16 - however we will not be offline, will continue to respond & report events
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
looking forward to ops resuming tomorrow! Weather has been perfect this whole time, because of course it has. Hopefully stays so this week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KSA is back up and operational - work done over the past half week will be assessed throughout this one to see if everything got patched up
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
also under construction in the VAB are KerBalloon probes for launch this week & next, both the low-altitude & high-altitude variants
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
winds today are not favorable for a high-altitude balloon launch so we will try again later this week - we want it recovered over land
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
an airship is being redirected along its route from Kravass to Umbarg for a medical emergency extraction - our KerBalloon rover crews are in trouble
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've finished debriefing Bill & 3 surviving launch crew members to learn what happened. Full report now available bit.ly/KerBalloonPR4
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've dispatched a recovery crew & salvage airship to the rover crash site to see about getting both rovers back to KSC. 3 remain in service
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
salvage crews are returning with what remains of both rovers. They'll be picked apart starting tomorrow to see what's still usable for parts
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
our first high-altitude KerBalloon is rdy for its maiden voyage to the upper atmosphere today @ 18:21 UTC - details: bit.ly/KerBalloonPR3
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Bill is assisting the launch crews, still short a kerb, in getting the KerBalloon probe setup outside the VAB for launch in 23 minutes
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
L-5 mins to inflation of the KerBalloon high-altitude unit and all is in readiness over at the launch site, launch ctrl & tracking station
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we had a good launch of the probe, seen here shortly after leaving the ground and rising up past the VAB at ~5m/s. ETA to 25km is 1h23m
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
balloon ascent remains nominal, now past 10km ASL and 5km downrange due West - wind is calm but remember that ground is traveling eastward
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Bill & recovery crews are heading out in two rovers to be under the payload when it finally comes back down somewhere 20-30km west of KSC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've just passed 16.531km and from this point on each meter is a new record for altitude over Kerbin. Ascent so far going just as planned
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have passed 18km and reached the upper atmosphere! Aeronomy sensor should be switching on to collect data the rest of the way to 25km
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
telemetry monitor reports negative vertical speed, which means air pressure has fallen below 1kPa & balloon envelope integrity has failed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
after nearly 2min of free fall chutes were deployed at 1km & recovery crews report chute sighting w/controlled descent 23.5km west of KSC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Bill says they've recovered the payload intact 🙂 Scientists are eager for the probe to arrive back at KSC later today. A great 1st flight!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KerBalloon probe data analysis confirms new bit.ly/KSARecords - altitude 24.990km & speed 335.298m/s (freefall descent) - almost as fast as the Mk2.1!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
photos from the cameras on the first high-alt balloon flight have been reviewed and selected, here are the ones that came out best - imgur.com/a/7Ws1w
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
take a closer look at everything that has transpired this past wk & some of prev wk. Have a great weekend everyone! bit.ly/OpsSummary1-16…
