The final launch of the initial design for the Mk5 doesn’t reach the heights we were hoping for but it does at least set the record for being the first successful flight that was fully automated
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
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
ok so this week is our bday. In that same vein, anyone know what's special about the day we plan to have our final Mk5 launch in the series?
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
anyone? here's a hint: bit.ly/KSARecords oh, and final launch date can be found here bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-5 twitter.com/KSA_MissionCtr…
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
Lead Scientist Cheranne & her team have locked down the payload instruments for bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-4 & bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-5
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
VAB is already hard at work finalizing Mk5 #3 for rollout tomorrow while #4 & #5 assembly continues to progress ahead of launch next week
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
[L-30m] Wx GO for final count, scattered clouds will not impede visual monitoring, upper-level clouds are sparse to none. Winds however...
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we'll be monitoring winds up to L-0, still 6-8kts but gusts have ceased. We can't have winds >5kts out of the east for first 3-5s of flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mk5 launch raises nose to within 1° of vertical, any wind >5kts will push it over and it will ascend west over KSC instead of out to sea
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mk5 #4 has cleared final integration checks, #5 will complete its payload integration today for final stacking tomorrow. Sched getting tight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have a short video of the Mk5 "standing up" when coming off the launch base, which is why E winds are a hazard youtube.com/watch?v=p6N0Lc…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB finally starting to feel empty again with only a single rocket inside. Mk5 #5 finishes up final integration today ahead of rollout tmrw
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
liftoff!! Skies are again just barely within limits for launch. 1st stage booster pushing the rocket off the pad at 4Gs for initial ascent
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've suffered an inflight anomaly. Signal loss occurred at L+1m4s & visual tracking reported an explosion and break up of the rocket
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're pulling the launch base back to the VAB to replace the upper launch rail that's taken a beating w/so many launches close together
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
review of today's launch still underway. Launch #5 still on unless flaw is not uncovered by end of tomorrow or found to be flight critical
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
launch base is repaired & will be back out on the pad shortly, followed by the rocket. Launch readiness checks around KSC proceeding apace
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
assuming launch readiness checks complete w/o issue today we are GO for launch tomorrow! Final anomaly report: bit.ly/ProgenitorPR16
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tl;dr - we will launch a high-alt KerBalloon from the range monitoring vessel or KSC prior to launch to check for any wind shear conditions
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
workday complete, Mk5 readiness review has us set for launch! 🚀GO PROGENY!🚀 Pre-launch ops will run from a 4hr count starting @ 13:56 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
#2🌅07:10:42 🌄10:34:43
#3🌅13:11:33 !!🚀!! 🌄16:35:34
#4🌅19:12:24 🌄22:36:25
9/23
#1🌅01:13:15 🌄04:37:16
#3🌅13:11:33 !!🚀!! 🌄16:35:34
#4🌅19:12:24 🌄22:36:25
9/23
#1🌅01:13:15 🌄04:37:16
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Bill & Bob are helping close out the KerBalloon for today's launch. Thx to KB ops defer, enough parts available to construct on short notice
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progenitor have ordered their own set of KB units but enough surplus also available that KB program is letting Progenitor use one of theirs
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
#OTD in 2016 we launched our 1st ever rocket (bit.ly/Progeny_Mk1-A1) and today we plan to launch our 1st fully automated rocket!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-4h] here we go, rolling into pre-launch ops. Take note of the addition @ L-1h20m when we launch the balloon to ascend to max alt by L-0
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tune in to bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-5 for updates after fueling, final count, terminal count & liftoff. Also any launch hold updates
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h40m] launch team prepping to go on console by first receiving a final briefing from Flight Director Lanalye & Lead Engineer Simon
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
no ascent changes are planned except for code fixes should have 3rd stage engine properly hold TWR of 3 until easing of dynamic pressure
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h10m] we are GO for preflight, storms by Umbarg but they will pass to the south. Waking up & initializing the rocket & setup for tanking
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
instructions load was good for initial setup of the rocket's flight control system. Not much new this flight: bit.ly/AFCS_ChangeLog
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h55m] fueling ops underway to top off the 3rd stage with 109kg of liquid propellant that will be used up at a max rate of 3.599kg/s
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h40m] pad cleanup post fueling ops is underway while we monitor fuel levels for leaks & Range Safety Officer begins eastern range setup
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we hear lots of family & friends got out of work early today to see the launch so get your spots marked out early it's going to be crowded!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Bob & Bill have headed out with 2 UTVs a few km to the northwest to prep for balloon launch, wind will carry it thru Mk5's ascent corridor
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h55m] pad is configured for launch, fuel levels holding, crew retreating to safe distance or bunker so we can run engine ignitions tests
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h30m] MSV Lymun has reported in for range monitoring duties while Bob & Bill have also commed to say the balloon is ready for release
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h20m] balloon released, headed up for 24.9km. Full Mun at zenith gave the team out in the Grasslands plenty of natural light to work by
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
high-altitude balloons can sometimes fall short of their maximum altitude but usually not until past 20km which will still be plenty of data
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h] again stationed just 50km downrange, we'll see how far MSV Tongjess needs to move in order to recover the rocket from the Kerblantic
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-45m] final operations load has rocket standing by for terminal count, no issues during preflight & final launch rehearsal now underway
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] final count is a GO! Balloon data coming back favorable, surface winds good & skies clearing. Jool & Moho near appulse, Eve above
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-20m] confirmation received that Tongjess is ready for deployment of recovery vessel while RSO & Lymun prep to enact range safety measures
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-15m] waters, airspace & pad clear, we are GO to arm the rocket & Flight Termination System (which is still a manually-controlled system)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tracking Stn has the balloon passing through 21km, still climbing steady. Upper-level winds continue to look favorable w/no shear detected
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-5m] one more time: Wx GO, Range GO, Flight GO, Tracking GO, Launch clearance get! 🚀GO PROGENY!🚀 Clouds to west but won't reach us in time
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-2m] this is it! AFCS has control & if all goes well will maintain control throughout the flight. Controllers will be watching for errors
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-1m] now is the time to head over to bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-5 if you haven't already to catch real-time updates throughout the flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
LAUNCH! Mk5 has left the pad w/nominal pitch, now spinning up thru 1st stage boost & will reach upwards of 330m/s by the time stage expires
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+1m] ascent is nominal, throttle control has performed as expected this time during 3rd stage boost, now pushing for space & 100+km apokee
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+2m] MECO w/disappointing 87km apokee, we expected more this launch. Well, at least the rocket didn't blow up? Standing by for re-entry
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+4m] just about to re-enter atmo, then momentary comm blackout & we expect to get chute deploy signal before rocket falls below horizon
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+6m] we have successful chute deploy! Payload descending 36km downrange WSW of KSC almost on top of the abandoned C7 Aerospace base
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tongjess is still several minutes away but their spotter on board reports she had good full chute & payload splashdown through her scope
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
post-launch ops well underway after everyone done congratulating each other. Our 1st fully-automated rocket flight was a complete success!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
while Tongjess recovered the rocket payload, Lymun was also recovering the balloon payload shortly after launch, both headed back to KSC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
both payloads back at KSC, launch cleanup still continues. Everyone on Progenitor program is looking forwards to a nice 3-day weekend 🙂
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
flight #5 summary & basic analysis will be in ops report later today & early next month there will be a full review of the Mk5's performance
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Deuce crash prelim report, Mk5 flight overview for this week's bit.ly/OpsSummary9-18… - everyone relax this weekend you all earned it!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lead Engineer Simon found a few Progenitor team members getting a jump start on data analysis - we can't even make our employees take vacay!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are expecting the Progeny Mk5 report tomorrow, Drew & Simon just got done w/a whole day of meetings. Mk4 vs. Mk5 trajectory comparison
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
there remains several disagreements over conclusions reached in the Progeny Mk5 report, so its release has been delayed. Tomorrow? We'll see
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!!
