The second launch of our new 3-stage rocket aimed to determine how the rocket behaves during long coast periods and break through 10km to collect another Kerbal Sounding Project bounty
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
another day of integration work completed to bring us closer to launching again! We'll have Progeny Mk3 launch dates at the end of the week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB is running a bit short-staffed at the moment but still has all payload bays ready, hopes to finish Mk1 booster assembly by mid-next week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the current 3 flight launch schedule for the Progeny Mk3 first campaign is:
3/15 @ 18:45 UTC
3/21 @ 19:05 UTC
3/24 @ 19:20 UTC
3/15 @ 18:45 UTC
3/21 @ 19:05 UTC
3/24 @ 19:20 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB is in high-gear to get the Progeny Mk3s ready to fly starting next week. 1st booster ready for final engine/fin tuning, 2 & 3 to follow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
crews have successfully recovered the payload just 356m north of the launch pad. Sorry Lymun crew! We really did mean to send it your way!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
an unhappy Simon has already grumbled about the Mk3 flight 2 being pushed back to flight 3 launch date, at least. Will confirm by end of wk
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
today's post-launch review is kicking off with a closer inspection of the launch base, which was damaged during lift-off yesterday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
thankfully Simon has reported the launch base is not damaged except for the one rail that can easily be replaced, we ordered a bunch more
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the launch base will be moved back into the VAB after 3rd sunrise so its angle can be adjusted from 3° to 6° - we can't have debris landing like this
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny Mk3 flight data has been thoroughly examined, project leads & admin will be gathering tomorrow to discuss changes to Flights 2 & 3
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the launch of bit.ly/ProgenyMk3_2 has officially been pushed back to 3/24 @ 19:20 UTC. See link for details (also Ops Summary l8er 2day)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
busy week, lots to review with lots of additional details included as well, so read up & have a great weekend! bit.ly/OpsSummary3-13…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
launch base repair/re-align is today in addition to starting to dismantle the fins off the next Progeny rocket to change their pitch as well
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
excellent day of work in the VAB, reports Simon. Launch base is ready, fin reconfiguration ~75% done & science payload integration has begun
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the Progeny launch base is back out on the pad, tilted to 6° & rdy for the mounting of the 2nd Mk3 finishing up integration today in the VAB
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB pulled a little OT thx to some issues during integration testing but everything was sorted & Progeny Mk3 launch readiness checks tmrw!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the new fin angles we are going to try this launch: 1st stage 1°, 2nd stage 0.5° and 3rd stage 0.25° - less combined than original 1st stage
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny Mk3 launch readiness reviews getting underway in the Admin, VAB & Launch Ctrl buildings. They will collectively take the entire day
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Launch Readiness Review: Ctrl[✅] VAB[] Admin[] Flight Director Lanalye reports her launch team is rdy to conduct tomorrow's flight profile
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Launch Readiness Review: Ctrl[✅] VAB[✅] Admin[]
while Jeb was in the air, Simon reported rocket checks have been completed with no issues
while Jeb was in the air, Simon reported rocket checks have been completed with no issues
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Launch Readiness Review: Ctrl[✅] VAB[✅] Admin[✅]
Drew & Mortimer have signed off on all the forms. bit.ly/ProgenyMk3_2 launch is GO! 🚀
Drew & Mortimer have signed off on all the forms. bit.ly/ProgenyMk3_2 launch is GO! 🚀
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
🌅Sunrise/Sunset🌄
@ KSC (UTC-4)
3/24
#2🌅08:57:00
#3🌄12:17:28 🌅14:57:51 !!🚀!!
#4🌄18:18:19 🌅20:58:42
3/25
#1🌄00:19:10 🌅02:59:33
#2🌄06:20:21
@ KSC (UTC-4)
3/24
#2🌅08:57:00
#3🌄12:17:28 🌅14:57:51 !!🚀!!
#4🌄18:18:19 🌅20:58:42
3/25
#1🌄00:19:10 🌅02:59:33
#2🌄06:20:21
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Launch day! While we collect our advance weather report, have a review of today's planned launch timeline. Expect updates @ these milestones
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are currently green for weather, keeping an ear on some reports from airship captains of heavy clouds moving towards us from the north
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Bob is setting up his camera atop the VAB, which is where the astronauts plan to hang out for this launch. Rocket is rolling out to the pad
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's time for Lanalye & her team to assemble for their final launch briefing. Mounting operations going smooth out on the pad, Simon reports
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
today's launch profile will be opposite of first launch, coasting until vertical speed falls to 0 before igniting the next booster stage
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we don't expect this launch to reach the upper atmosphere but we do expect it to break the 10km milestone set by the Kerbal Sounding Project
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket is mounted, no issues securing the lower booster using new clamps. Launch ctrl now checking everything hooked up right, no damage
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
excellent job pad crew! Launch ctrl reports rocket is in great condition & is rdy for pre-flight. Pad crew clearing out of 300m blast radius
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
MSV Tongjess has arrived early & is now maintaining station 3km offshore east of KSC, is setting up range profile on its radar w/ our RSO
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
early arrival of Tongjess has allowed Launch Ctrl to step up their own timetable & have finished pre-flight, report 0 issues. Rehearsal time
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
launch rehearsal has completed & we are now standing by @ L-02:27, will continue to monitor rocket & weather, picking up the count @ L-00:30
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're confident the new launch angle will send things out over water, but just to be sure this launch has no outdoor viewing locations setup
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
up on the roof of the VAB, our astronauts are ready to head back inside the moment they hear any emergency sirens signaling incoming debris
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
weather outside is hard to determine as it is still dark out, but there's no rain & air smells dry so we are proceeding w/ final countdown!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tongjess has launched its recovery boat off the stern ramp, which will zip under & pickup the payload as it descends towards the water
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
RSO & Tongjess confirm range is clear. Rocket is now ARMED & anything/anyone spotted within safety zone will put a hold on the countdown
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
approaching the L-00:05 final general poll as the sun rises, showing skies to be mostly clear w/high-level clouds. Weather remains green
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're GO FOR LAUNCH! L-5min! bit.ly/ProgenyMk3_2 has real time staging updates. Total flight time expected to last for about 1-2 minutes
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket is now switching over from ground to battery power, all systems remain nominal, all launch stations remain green. L-2min & counting!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
EC levels are discharging at nominal rates, assuming no further issues or range incursion final primary poll at L-30s then liftoff! Standby!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ignition & liftoff successful w/1st stage burnout/decouple @ L+4s, 2nd stage ignition @ L+41s, rocket tipping over much more than expected
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
unfortunately during 3rd stage burn the rocket flew too far south out of the ascent corridor and the RSO was forced to detonate the booster
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
UTV teams out on patrol along the beach report that the 1st stage booster fell just meters short of the water, 1.6km east of the launch pad
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we do not have a splashdown location for the 2nd stage booster but it was well over the water upon decoupling. 3rd stage & payload detonated
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we'll be backing out of launch & cleaning up for the rest of the day, will fully review telemetry data gathered by Tracking Station next wk
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
sure, today's launch ended in disappointment but we expect there's still much to learn from it. Great setup for the launch photo Bob!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
oh right, it's the end of the week. We've been so busy it sort of skipped our minds. Everyone relax this weekend! bit.ly/OpsSummary3-20…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've yet to fully review all launch footage but have a video for you all to better see what happened yesterday youtube.com/watch?v=1OoBdl…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
unfortunately we did fall short of 10km by less than 1km but no big deal as the 3rd launch will definitely break thru & also hit upper atmo
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny Mk3 flight analysis wrapped up yesterday & now the Progenitor team is meeting to decide how to proceed with the final planned launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
launch has been scrubbed! Drew got word earlier that some kerbs taking a stroll along the beach found Mk3 Stage 2 debris 6km south of KSC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have a brief press release online to explain further why this has caused us to cancel the launch today bit.ly/ProgenitorPR10
