Commander Valentina takes a rebuilt Deuce through its paces on the ground similar to how Jeb tested things back in June so engineers can assure that all is ready once again for flight tests to resume
Kerbal Space Agency
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final report on the Deuce crash has been published, aerodynamic stability issues assigned primary blame - bit.ly/Genesis-PR8
Kerbal Space Agency
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today is our 300th day of operations! Tho, not much going on as everybody is taking a well-deserved rest prior to a mad crazy launch week 🙂
Kerbal Space Agency
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bit.ly/KSA-Statement this is our Ops Summary for this week, because there's really not much else to talk about
Kerbal Space Agency
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tl;dr - the Monolith electronically fried the entire KSC campus when the Mk4 passed 70km, also managed to knock out Umbarg & Kravass
Kerbal Space Agency
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KSC full damage assessment is still underway, most staff pulling OT this weekend to inventory everything that needs to be fixed or replaced
Kerbal Space Agency
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KSC damage assessment complete, tomorrow senior staff will meet to lay out the recovery plan & scientists will begin detailed Monolith study
Kerbal Space Agency
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recovery plan meeting underway while comm techs are busy finishing up repairs allowing us to speak directly to Umbarg & other cities again
Kerbal Space Agency
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it's going to take 3wks to get KSC back to full ops, but early Aug will see back-to-back Mk4 launches to clear the way for Mk5 later in Aug
Kerbal Space Agency
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Deuce replacement parts are all here, now HAB just needs to get back into gear so the rebuild can begin. It will take around 1.5-2wks
Kerbal Space Agency
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get the rundown on the current status of KSC, the next Mk4 launches and Monolith investigations - bit.ly/OpsSummary7-17…
Kerbal Space Agency
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senior staff & crew gathering in the Admin bldg for 1st daily ops meeting in 2wks! Been a struggle but we are gradually returning to normal
Kerbal Space Agency
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Lead Engineer Simon just brought everyone up to speed on VAB & HAB status - both are set to resume work on Deuce and Progeny Mk4s this week
Kerbal Space Agency
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C7 engineers have come up with a hopefully simple fix for the Deuce yaw issues - a 5° dihedral pitch to the tail to raise the vertical fins
Kerbal Space Agency
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the tail rework will be carried out during the rebuild and we expect to see the Deuce back in action by mid-August or perhaps even sooner!
Kerbal Space Agency
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HAB swung back into action today. Civvies have good starters & Deuce reconstruction has begun in earnest, targeting early August completion
Kerbal Space Agency
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today marks our 3rd trip around the sun since the KSA's first day of operations. Kerzzah!! (We missed announcing our 2nd trip on April 15th)
Kerbal Space Agency
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Head of Finances Mortimer has bit.ly/FinanceReport_… for an extremely profitable July thanks to the success of the Mk4 in reaching space
Kerbal Space Agency
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Civvie awaits Val, who is just finishing up her briefing in Flight Control off in the distance. Skies looking great but wind is kicking up
Kerbal Space Agency
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still standing by. Crosswind component is a concern, don't want Civvie blown over on takeoff/landing! Winds ok now, but later? Could worsen
Kerbal Space Agency
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Flight decided Val will be remaining close enough to abort mission & land if winds show steady increase. Taxi/takeoff clearance granted
Kerbal Space Agency
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spiraling down past KSC, seen from 2.2km. Winds have whipped the ocean up to waves as high as 2m but are still w/in limits & not increasing
Kerbal Space Agency
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Val has spiraled down to 500m & is on her base leg, setting up for late turn to final to not get pushed off course by the time she rolls out
Kerbal Space Agency
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Bob knew this approach would be difficult & was ready with his camera. Val crabbed in great but still almost nosed down into the ground
Kerbal Space Agency
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taxiing back in, a little shaken, Val admits she's not quite sure what happened but Civvie definitely almost flipped over forwards on her
Kerbal Space Agency
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after lunch & a longer than normal debrief, we've worked out that Val forgot to reset pitch trim prior to landing, nose couldn't rise fully
Kerbal Space Agency
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a nearly disastrous mistake, chalked up to managing her approach in heavy winds. Something we hope multi-crew aircraft will help avoid
Kerbal Space Agency
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5th Mk4 is ready for rollout on Monday reports Simon. bit.ly/ProgenyMk4-4 has final update. Ops summary: bit.ly/OpsSummary7-31…
Kerbal Space Agency
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from Cdr Val's flight earlier this wk, the abandoned C7 base still has a usable runway for any emergency unable to reach KSC for some reason
Kerbal Space Agency
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repair work on the Deuce is finishing up in the HAB today, tomorrow will see final closeouts & determination as to flight trial readiness
Kerbal Space Agency
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as mentioned last month the tail has been modified with a 5° dihedral pitch to raise the vertical stabilizers up out of the prop wash
Kerbal Space Agency
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Deuce trials are officially a GO for next week! While Jeb carries out Civvie mission, Val will run the rebuilt Deuce through ground checks
Kerbal Space Agency
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assuming all goes well on Monday, Deuce could take to the skies once again as early as Wed to restart & hopefully continue its flight trials
Kerbal Space Agency
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everyone enjoy the weekend & hope for better weather! Catch up on this past week's activities via bit.ly/OpsSummary8-7-…
Kerbal Space Agency
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runway has been repaired after erosion from last week's heavy rainfall (also regular use), ready to support Genesis operations tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
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very nice weather still this past day cycle, hoping it holds for 2nd sunrise so we can have a Civvie flight & Deuce ground trials
Kerbal Space Agency
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still no sign of any rain in the area, so HAB crews are getting the Deuce prepped for rollout onto the tarmac. Civvie already parked outside
Kerbal Space Agency
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Jeb & Val are getting suited up in the Astronaut Complex ready room, then heading to their briefing over in Flight Control @ 14:45 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
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out on the flight line, each have to do their own walkarounds this mission 🙂 How cool if both could fly today, but maybe some other time
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Jeb has boarded the Civvie to begin his preflight, however Val has a more extensive walkaround checklist to complete for the Deuce
Kerbal Space Agency
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Flight has granted Jeb his taxi/takeoff clearance for Rwy27 while Val is currently aboard the Deuce, getting it ready for engine testing
Kerbal Space Agency
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Val will be conducting the same ground trials that Jeb did back in June - you can read the details in this report: bit.ly/DeuceGrnd1
Kerbal Space Agency
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Val has run successful tests on both engines individually, is now restarting engine #1 to begin taxiing around & check out the undercarriage
Kerbal Space Agency
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having fun doing spins with the Deuce, Val also discovers the joy of taxiing with two engines capable of reversing thrust to help w/turning
Kerbal Space Agency
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18km SW from KSC @ 1.5km, Jeb is setting up for downwind pattern entry. Val is taxiing back in after successful takeoff runs & landing stops
Kerbal Space Agency
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Jeb is lined up on final approach & the Deuce is back in the HAB for post-trial mechanical & data analysis, which will conclude tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
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mechanical inspection will take thru tomorrow but Simon reports C7 already pleased with software data collected during Deuce trials today
Kerbal Space Agency
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weekly ops review - 3rd Ed! All hail the weekend - catch up on this past week's activities & w/additional info via bit.ly/KSAOpsSummary8…
