The Mk5 makes another successful flight almost identical in trajectory to the first but the major difference was in how the computer controlled part of the ascent, decoupling the boosters & shredding the 3rd stage fins.
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Admin Bldg meeting room filling up again - time to reveal everything we currently have on the Progeny Mk5, our first automated rocket!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
1st Mk5 will not be automated, but scripts will be in place to monitor flight & simulate actions. 5th flight should be fully automated
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
correction: by 3rd flight rocket should be fully automated. 5th flight should see final version of initial flight control software
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mk5 boosters have arrived & VAB can now begin building the 1st 2 rockets to launch in Sept, rest will follow once work progresses on 1 & 2
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
boosters are all built to same specs, we will mostly be playing around with coast times & 3rd stage throttle during the various Mk5 ascents
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB humming along. Mk5 #1 rdy for final stacking tomorrow, #2 will begin stacking on Fri and #3 boosters are being finned, stacking next wk
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the first Progeny Mk5 is ready for launch! That & more via bit.ly/OpsSummary9-4-… - relax this weekend, all - next week be crazy! 🚀🚀!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
nearing the start of preflight, VAB is still busy with final integration of Progeny MK5 #2 while #3, #4 & #5 all continue to be assembled
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lymun has pulled the payload from the water intact & is on the way here to deliver. Everyone very happy with the Mk5's first launch!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
no doubt engineers will crack open the TDU tonight but tomorrow is when the full analysis will be undertaken to prep for the 2nd launch Thur
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's another long day ahead as the 2nd Mk5 gets mounted this day cycle, everyone resets for launch tomorrow & analyzes yesterday's data
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good balloon recovery, hopefully someday the hi-alt variants will be just as reliable! Lymun will return payload & remain for range ops tmrw
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
strong winds from earlier today have brought lashing rain, but no thunderstorms. Mk5 remains secure, base has tie downs for high winds
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny Mk5 first flight review is posted, we know what we need to do tomorrow. Get the full details here: bit.ly/ProgenitorPR13
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
expect an update to our bit.ly/AFCS_KSA code repository sometime later today as things are tweaked for tomorrow's launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
routine launch readiness all across campus, no major issues thus far. VAB remains busy busy working on Mk5s #3, #4 & #5, still plenty to do!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
harsh weather seems to have moved on, rain stopped at least, launch readiness review signed off, we are once again 🚀GO FOR LAUNCH🚀 tomorrow!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
with an earlier launch time, we will roll straight through from preflight to launch, any issues will delay L-0. Prep ops begin @ 13:29 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
🌅Sunrise/Sunset🌄
@ KSC (UTC-4)
9/14
#2🌄10:07:31
#3🌅12:44:21 !!🚀!! 🌄16:08:22
#4🌅18:45:12 🌄22:09:13
9/15
#1🌅00:46:03 🌄04:10:04
#2🌅06:46:54
@ KSC (UTC-4)
9/14
#2🌄10:07:31
#3🌅12:44:21 !!🚀!! 🌄16:08:22
#4🌅18:45:12 🌄22:09:13
9/15
#1🌅00:46:03 🌄04:10:04
#2🌅06:46:54
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-4h] regional Wx data being gathered via Kravass, Umbarg & airships to kick off pre-launch ops. Conditions have been great since yesterday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tune in now to bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-2 for updates after fueling, final count, terminal count & liftoff. Also any launch hold updates
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h40m] launch team assembling for briefing. Will be using same ascent profile as last launch, aiming for proper coast periods this time
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
new automation this launch: booster decouple after engine flame out, 60km fin shred & monitoring pitch levels (engine ignition still manual)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h10m] we are GO for preflight, waking the rocket up, loading initial code to setup for ascent operations, checking systems, etc
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
onload of initial code was good, you can visit bit.ly/AFCS_ChangeLog to see what's been done since the last launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h55m] with the rocket initialized we are GO for tanking. LF truck already hooked up, oxidizer will be added second for a total of 109kg
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tanks are topped off, now to sit back & monitor levels to ensure no leaks, while workers clean up the pad & ensure all equipment is removed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h55m] pad is clearing, fuel levels holding. Once all crew is outside 300m we will begin checking ignition systems for all 3 engines
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h30m] MSV Tongjess is 70km downrange, closer this launch now that we know the rocket won't be headed too far, ready for recovery ops
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h] MSV Lymun has moved further offshore from its anchorage yesterday to setup for monitoring the eastern range for any incursions
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
final code upload has been completed, rocket now fully configured for the terminal count at L-2min. All systems nominal, no issues posted
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-45m] everything looking good, moving on to launch rehearsal. If you haven't picked out your spot on the lawn, things are filling up fast!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] Wx HOLD: low heavy clouds are now moving through. We have no visual on clear skies to the southwest & Umbarg is clouded over as well
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we will post updates every 20min on Wx conditions. Launch window extends almost the length of the day cycle to 19:23 UTC, 45min to sunset
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we can't change the L-0 time already loaded onto the rocket, so the system has been rebooted, awaits new instructions load once we know when
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
hold continues, reports from Umbarg state that clouds are breaking up moving towards us. We can't predict tho if things will clear in time
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
mounted out on the launch base the Mk5 stands 12m tall, 1.9m greatest width. Fully fueled but w/o payload instruments it weighs in at 1.778t
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've added rocket size/mass and payload mass to our bit.ly/KSARecords page. Is there anything else you think we should include?
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
despite earlier reports, no real change to conditions over KSC. Hold remains in place. Thankfully winds remain in our favor, <3kts out of SW
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
from outside launch control, conditions are looking a bit more promising now - can at least see some broken clouds off to the southwest
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
clouds continue to clear slowly so we will aim for the end of our window with a new L-0 time of 19:23 UTC, hoping things clear up by then!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
flight computer has been reconfigured with the new launch time & is once again ready to proceed into the terminal count at L-2min
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] back to the final countdown and we are GO! Skies are mostly clear & winds remain within limits. No additional issues being worked
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-20m] final check-in with MSV Tongjess out in the recovery zone, they are all set. Range checks underway to ensure waters & airspace clear
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-15m] range clear, we are GO to arm rocket, FTS. Anything encroaching the 300m pad radius or ascent corridor will scrub the launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
last 10min leading up to 5min poll are eerie - launch control is dead silent (under nominal conditions) as everyone preps for status check
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-5m] final general poll: Wx GO, Range GO, Flight GO, Tracking GO, all systems nominal! 🚀GO PROGENY!🚀 Now this is some nice launch weather!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-2m] AFCS now has control, rocket is switched over to internal battery power and RF comms. One last poll at T-30s and we're off for space!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-1m] tune in now if you haven't already for live updates on planned flight events via our Flight Tracker: bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-2
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have good solid booster ignition & lift off!! Rocket is pitched 89.4° from 87° after clearing the launch base & spinning up to head east
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+1m] excellent ascent so far, AFCS staged boosters w/o issue & pitch monitoring is good, launch controllers lagging a bit behind
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+2m] MECO @ L+2:58, 48km. Good throttle back from 54%-30% over 75s to maintain 2 TWR during burn. Apokee is 95km but still some atmo left
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+4m] flight remains nominal, AFCS continues to perform perfectly & we are hands-off the remainder of this flight. Awaiting atmo re-entry
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+7m] good initial chute deploy!! 27s comm blackout during re-entry & rocket still visible over the horizon a bit longer, 42km downrange
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+8m] again as with last flight payload fell below horizon just seconds after last tweet, Tongjess is nearby tho & reports full chute 🙂
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
MSV Tongjess is wrapping up recovery operations, has payload out of the water. Time to clean up, reset & prep for another launch on Monday!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progenitor teams gathering for initial 2nd flight review, including comparative analysis with 1st flight. Not expecting a report 'til Sunday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
this has been an amazing crazy week. Be sure to check out bit.ly/OpsSummary9-11… so you don't miss anything! Next week be crazier->!!🚀🚀🚀!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progenitor launch team is running drills today while the engineering team is completing their flight 2 analysis & flight 3 plans for tmrw
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
flight analysis complete! get the full details on the last Mk5 flight & what is in store for the 3rd launch tomorrow bit.ly/ProgenitorPR14
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny Mk5 report is out covering what we've learned in comparison to the Mk4 & plans for program moving forward: bit.ly/Progenitor-PR2
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
biggest non-technical mumbo-jumbo takeaway: the new more powerful Mk5 Block I, with the even bigger Block II set to be finalized next week!!
