Take pressure readings in flight above 17,800 meters near Zone 5-0D for Shadow Space Technologies Unlimited as part of a 3-launch sea voyage
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
with today's succesful launch & recovery our next high-alt KerBalloon flights will be for contracts signed with SSTU & CTC next week on 1/24
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
weather is looking good w/mostly clear skies expected to stay that way w/light & variable winds. Jeb will take the Civvie up at 2nd sunrise
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Simon reports that all 3 KerBalloon probes (2 high, 1 low) are ready for deployment tomorrow from the MSV Tongjess - bit.ly/KBSitesNautical
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
chance of choppy seas to the south via reports from other ships, but MSV Tongjess is loaded up & heading out for bit.ly/KBSitesNautical
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Specialist Bill isn't too fond of extended sea voyages and has opted to sit out this mission. Will help monitor things from launch control
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tongjess has reached Sector NM-1P9 and reports heavy seas, will continue south to Jaalla's Trough (bit.ly/KBSitesNautical)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have to scrub KerBalloon ops today, Tongjess was forced to put into port at Umbarg, merchant vessels report storm to south not abating
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tongjess will head back out tomorrow if reports improve. Merchant fleet vessels are huge behemoths able to withstand rougher waters
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
MSV Tongjess has left port at Umbarg for Jaalla's Trough, looking to be on station by 2nd sunrise. Calmer seas have been reported
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
over-horizon comms relayed from Umbarg are dropping in & out but we confirm that Tongjess is on station to deploy a hi-alt balloon in 22min
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have confirmation - Tongjess has recovered the probe intact, is getting underway once again to head to Zone 5-0D for 2nd hi-alt deploy
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
no word from Tongjess, should be on station by now. Will have to assume all is on sched & await TLM signal ~10min after launch @ 20:30 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
another good launch from out in the Kerblantic! KerBalloon is at 3.2km ASL and once again all readings looking nominal as it ascends to 25km
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
uh oh - something went wrong to cause KerBalloon to start falling at only 21.7km - chutes are armed though. Will have to examine back in VAB
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
once again will have to await word from Tongjess on recovery but at least chutes pre-deployed properly so hopefully only issue was w/balloon
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good news, barometer & meteorological data recovered intact. Balloon drifted close to next launch site, Tongjess will be there in just 30min
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
this was also the 1st time we recovered a payload from the water at night - many lessons were learned & Tongjess was well-equipped for task
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's been a long day but mostly successful! MSV Tongjess is on its way to KSC after fishing the final probe out of the water with no issues
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Shadow Space Technologies Unlimited was understanding of yesterday's balloon issue, but has still withheld full payment on our contract
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
recovered probes are in the VAB getting broken down today, we will be looking closely at the high-altitude balloon unit that had the issue
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we think we've determined the cause of the high-alt balloon failure earlier this week - have sent unit off to KerBalloon for confirmation
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've ordered more hi-alt balloons but will have to watch out for icing, which took out one last month. Details: bit.ly/KerBalloonPR5
