After numerous delays waiting for idea conditions, a high-altitude balloon launched from KSC carried aloft a new science instrument designed to measure subtle changes in gravitational fields
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Head of R&D Wernher Von Kerman has announced work has begun on our new general-purpose science instrument, a negative gravioli detector
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Head of R&D Wernher Von Kerman reports his team finally had a breakthrough on the negative gravioli detector, plan for a instrument in June
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Head of R&D Wernher & his team have finally delivered the first prototype of the negative gravioli instrument to the VAB for final testing
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if all goes well we will loft it into the upper atmosphere aboard a balloon at the end of this week to see how well it functions in situ
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while Bob is out at sea, Bill has been readying another KerBalloon for launch tomorrow from KSC to test the Negative Gravioli instrument
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Jeb & Val are prepping for today's Civvie flight while Bill & Bob rdy to deploy a KerBalloon from KSC, both missions launching @ 3rd sunrise
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sun is high & clouds are low. Val to remain at flight readiness as we monitor conditions. Heavy cloud cover also means KerBalloon on standby
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Val is standing down, but KerBalloon still has a shot, as long as clouds clear before 3rd sunset & winds stay calm or out of the east
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Bill & Bob are also scrubbing for today. Clouds have broken but winds have picked up from the north. Want land recovery & less air moisture
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it's been rainy and gloomy out since earlier today & doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon. Still, Genesis & KB are on standby
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Genesis is standing down for this day cycle, but KerBalloon can launch anytime - still awaiting clear skies & winds out of the east though
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sun not yet risen but still raining off & on and stars are not visible so it's safe to say weather is continuing to not cooperate today
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we're scrubbing all missions & calling it a week! *shakes fists at the sky* learn more of this week's activities: bit.ly/OpsSummary6-26…
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bummer that winds are favorable today but clouds conditions are not for our negative gravioli test flight. Will give it another go tomorrow
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conditions also remain unfavorable here at KSC for launch of the negative gravioli test balloon, we will try again (again) with 3rd sunrise
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sun is up over KSC, skies mostly clear but winds still out of NNE. Do not want this instrument in water. Standing by at launch readiness
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likewise, out of time to launch gravioli mission to ensure recovery before sunset, as winds have not changed. There's always tomorrow!
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sun rises at KSC to cloudy skies & unfavorable winds. Bob & Bill getting things prepped anyways, will stand at launch readiness & monitor Wx
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KerBalloon crew is standing down until 3rd sunrise. Keep your digits crossed everyone! Wernher is starting to get rather impatient...
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Bob & Bill getting back to launch readiness. Balloon to be released as soon as good sky conditions are seen after sunrise in just over 30min
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launch! Dawn breaks w/ clear skies & no wind. Clouds in distance show upper-level winds favorable. We have no idea why Bill is waving g'bye
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yep those are cameras on the payload truss, one pointing out, another down. We will post photos from them later today after payload recovery
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balloon has caught an upper-level stream of air but as predicted is being pulled westward & staying over land. UTVs are readying to deploy
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we have envelope failure at 23.8km, UTVs are heading out - balloon is about 43km SW of KSC. Chutes are armed. Wernher is smiling again
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Bill says they are heading back with the payload, should not have any trouble navigating at night but have supplies if they need to stop
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UTVs have made it back to KSC without issue & are dropping off the payload at R&D for Wernher & his team to fully analyze tomorrow
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here's a gallery of photos taken from the camera - imgur.com/a/6dwlD. Not many because we have lots more here flickr.com/photos/kerbal_…
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Head of R&D Wernher reports that the negative gravioli instrument performed flawlessly & we will be including it on a future Progeny mission
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closing out another great week, get caught up & learn more details via bit.ly/OpsSummary7-3-… - have a great weekend everyone!







