Captain Jebediah gets mitts-on with the new Deuce twin-engine aircraft to put it through various tests on the ground prior to possibly being cleared for an attempt at flight
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
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say hello to the new member of the Genesis family! The Deuce will be our 1st multi-crew, multi-engine passenger-capable fixed-wing aircraft
Kerbal Space Agency
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there is a lot to talk about regarding this new aircraft & C7 lays out all the juicy details in this press release: bit.ly/Genesis-PR7
Kerbal Space Agency
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in addition to ordering the parts to build our first Deuce in May, we've ordered 3 Mk1-B boosters for at least 1 more MK3 launch end of Apr
Kerbal Space Agency
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so ends another day of operations here @ KSC but this one was special: today we've orbited Kerbol twice since the start of the KSA. Kerzzah!
Kerbal Space Agency
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here is the ops review for this past week. Of note is our initial Mk3 analysis. Everyone have a relaxing weekend bit.ly/OpsSummary4-10…
Kerbal Space Agency
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bit.ly/GenesisProgram have accepted several new contracts for the Civvie to handle, turning a profit on the aircraft for the 1st time!
Kerbal Space Agency
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the Genesis Program itself is still deep in the red, but that's mainly thx to Deuce development. Genesis profit will come after Deuce profit
Kerbal Space Agency
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over the next month these parts will be assembled into our 1st bit.ly/-Deuce aircraft! Flight trials expected at the start of June
Kerbal Space Agency
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Mortimer says that up until today, Apr was looking like our 3rd straight month in the red for net profit & now we're well in the green again
Kerbal Space Agency
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party on everyone! For those not able to attend, here is our weekly recap. Everyone enjoy their time off! bit.ly/OpsSummary4-24…
Kerbal Space Agency
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Mortimer has posted our April bit.ly/FinanceReport_… and it's nice to see a full spread of green numbers again! Revenue growth is projected
Kerbal Space Agency
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HAB had all the Deuce parts prepped by the end of last week & have been making good progress on their first full day of assembly work
Kerbal Space Agency
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Kravass General Airport held its official opening ceremony earlier today, Jeb gave a nice short speech. Congrats to C7 & Kravass Muni Dept
Kerbal Space Agency
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work on the Deuce going well, entire airframe is complete & the twin engines are going on next week while internal cabling/wiring starts
Kerbal Space Agency
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HAB will be spending the rest of the wk finalizing the installation of the twin engines on the Deuce & also prep for ctrl surfaces next wk
Kerbal Space Agency
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both the Deuce & 2nd Progeny Mk4 have their final main integration work today, VAB & HAB so busy they are closed to non-essential workers
Kerbal Space Agency
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main build phase completed, the first Deuce is getting examined carefully in & out by technicians before the final build phase is approved
Kerbal Space Agency
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final closeout tasks require NO further changes to airframe w/o massive delays & extra cost so everything being double & triple checked!
Kerbal Space Agency
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C7 has cleared the Deuce to begin final assembly phase over the next week, targeting the following week to begin ground & flight trials
Kerbal Space Agency
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Head of Finances Mortimer has closed the books on May, you can review all our operational transactions at bit.ly/FinanceReport_…
Kerbal Space Agency
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the Deuce is approaching final closeout, with lights and access ladders visible outside & more cabin necessities installed on the inside
Kerbal Space Agency
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final closeout work today on the Deuce - we expect to hear from C7 by the end of the day if it is ready for ground trials to begin next week
Kerbal Space Agency
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Deuce is complete! That and more details about today's bizarre KB mission in our ops summary: bit.ly/OpsSummary6-5-… enjoy the weekend, all
Kerbal Space Agency
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weather was nice this day cycle and if it holds then Jeb will perform ground trials in the Deuce come 3rd sunrise (look again for Mun)
Kerbal Space Agency
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Jeb has suited up and is headed over to the HAB to get briefed on today's trials, testing engines, controls, systems, brakes, etc etc
Kerbal Space Agency
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Deuce has been rolled out of the HAB & Jeb has begun his walkaround inspection while 1t of total fuel is loaded into the two wing tanks
Kerbal Space Agency
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with a final customary kick of the tires to finalize his walkaround inspection Jeb is ready to climb aboard the Deuce & begin his preflight
Kerbal Space Agency
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Jeb has all the basics out of the way - avionics are good, external lights are good, control surfaces are good - time for engine checks
Kerbal Space Agency
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engine #1 fired up! Jeb will perform idle checks, run-up checks, EC checks, taxi checks - lots of checks to ensure it is operating normally
Kerbal Space Agency
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we think Jeb is having a bit too much fun taxiing on 1 engine. He says he's not trying to do donuts but "test the main gear's lateral grip"
Kerbal Space Agency
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focus is now moving over to engine #2 on the right after shutting down engine #1. Same idea - test everything to ensure it is running well
Kerbal Space Agency
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both engines are now operating & Jeb will do more taxiing to see how the wheel suspension feels while also checking the thrust reversers
Kerbal Space Agency
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taxiing on the dirt runway feels good, reports Jeb. Sped up to around 40m/s to simulate a landing rollout & tested brakes several times
Kerbal Space Agency
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heading down to the turf runway, Jeb will do some full-power runs approaching take off speed & also test thrust reversal for slowing down
Kerbal Space Agency
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taxiing back to the HAB, Jeb reports he'll need a better way to activate both reversers together & wheel braking action needs improvement
Kerbal Space Agency
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C7 will analyze the TDU for a much closer look at all performance aspects of today's test while HAB workers apply Jeb's needed tweaks
Kerbal Space Agency
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depending on what C7 finds in the hundreds of monitored variables the Deuce will be assigned further ground trials or be approved for flight
Kerbal Space Agency
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C7 says overall Deuce performance yesterday was excellent, but have found a potential issue in the fuel system they are still investigating
Kerbal Space Agency
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Deuce has been cleared for flight tests! Issue noted yesterday still a minor concern & will continue to be monitored under flight conditions
Kerbal Space Agency
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another busy week wraps up here at KSC. Even if you saw it all, additional info almost always included in our bit.ly/OpsSummary6-12…
