Commander Valentina demonstrates that the Civvie is not only able to carry a KerBalloon unit attached to its belly but deploy it safely, paving the way for mission collaboration with the KerBalloon Program
 |
 |
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're still reviewing designs for radial decouplers suited to a <1m stack. Submissions so far are from OMB Demolition, USI, AIES & MRS
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
excited to announce the 0.625m radial decoupler design contract has been awarded to Modular Rocket Systems. They await our order invoice
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
the two UTVs caught in the landslide have both been scrapped, leaving us with 3 - just enough for medium-range overland KerBalloon missions
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mortimer is reticent to free up funds for new UTVs - wants to first try an air deployment from Civvie. Jeb & Val are all for it. Drew agrees
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
anyone else think that week just flew by? Get more details or get caught up on what went down with our Ops Summary: bit.ly/OpsSummary1-23…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've signed on Rokea Inc for a hi-alt bit.ly/KerBalloonProg… contract, which will be far overland & a good candidate for Civvie deployment
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
initial sim data from C7 shows it could be feasible for a underslung radial mount of KerBalloon casing w/instruments directly attached
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we will need to await flight trials of the Civvie Production model to see if it performs as well as engineers hope in order to carry cargo
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
debrief of Cdr Val is overall positive in her opinions of the new aircraft. Civvie to undergo some slight changes: bit.ly/Genesis-PR6
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've made our first order from Modular Rocket Systems for the mini radial decoupler they won the manufacturing contract for back in January
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Civvie Production flight data analysis matches well with simulations & we're confident it can carry a KerBalloon belly-mounted payload
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all the parts for our Progeny Mk4 rockets & also the radial decouplers for the Civvie payload carry have arrived for VAB to begin processing
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
C7 reports that flight data from Civvie's last outing carrying the atmo analyzer looks good & HAB is mounting the KerBalloon later today
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KerBalloon unit is ready to be mounted to the belly of the Civvie Production model at this time, test flight tomorrow after 2nd sunrise
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Wx report for flying this day cycle is coming in with poor results, low cloud cover and strong winds. Val will remain on standby tho
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Val is standing down, we will hope for better weather conditions after 3rd sunrise. Civvie remains secure, tied down out on the tarmac
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
although clearer now than prev day cycle, Wx minimums are still in violation & Civvies remain grounded. Will continue to monitor conditions
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're going to hope the weather cooperates better tomorrow & are standing down from flight-readiness. Val bummed, but knows thems the breaks
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're expecting good weather with 2nd sunrise, last day cycle had great conditions & no reports from region of bad weather moving through
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Val is on her way to the ready room in the Astronaut Complex to get suited up while the C7 flight control team begins to assemble
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
mission brief complete, Val will drop the KerBalloon unit over KSC. Unit will deploy chutes and land, will not deploy envelope and ascend
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
after an extended check-out to ensure the KerBalloon unit was attached properly & communicating well, Val has her taxi clearance to Rwy09
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Val has departed from Rwy09 and is banking away from KSC while climbing to head west, gain altitude then head back over KSC for the drop
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
climbing steadily, Val reports that she has good control & belly weight/drag of the KerBalloon is not overcoming her pitch authority at all
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
19km west of KSC Val is through 1.2km & coming about, still not struggling for altitude but definitely noticing the slower climb performance
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
photo sent from the nose cam as Val heads back for KSC, where we will aim to have her drop the KerBalloon unit just west of the main campus
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
~1min to drop, Val is just flying while Flight monitors position to command the release. She has throttled back to anticipate load change
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good drop! Pitching down to prevent a possible tail wheel strike, KerBalloon has flown free & deployed chutes. Val has recovered w/o issue
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
pitch-down maneuver also helped with the nose rising after the payload was detached. Val is now coming about & descending for pattern entry
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Val is abeam the start of Rwy09 7km to the south 1km ASL on downwind leg, KerBalloon still a few hundred meters up, falling at nominal rate
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have successful recovery of the KerBalloon unit. Val is pumping fuel back from the nose tank to the main & tail tanks to see what happens
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
now on final 7km out Val has informed Flight she has good visual on the approach markers, reports aircraft pitch balance is *much* better
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Wooooowwwww Val finally has a landing to match Jeb's. Smooth as a baby's bottom! Looks like even small fuel balance changes can work wonders
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
great flight, C7 will analyze CoM adjustments made by fuel balancing. KerBalloon team will decide if full balloon drop mission is a Go
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KerBalloon teams have agreed to proceed with the mission to drop a balloon for envelope deployment in conjunction with Genesis Program
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
this mission is a big deal both in terms of scope & collaboration so here is a press release with all the details: bit.ly/KB_Gen-PR
