Progeny Mk1-B Captive Carry & Release Test 1

all the parts are here for the second Ascension Mk1 Block I vehicle to finish assembly on schedule next week. VAB is also sending the Progeny MK1-B back over to the HAB to be mounted atop the Deuce, itself finishing repairs just yesterday

Aldeny & Tedman are getting suited up, excited for their first mission together that will be unlike any other flown so far - carrying & releasing a rocket from the top of the Deuce. Jeb & Val will give the aircraft a pre-flight inspection

crews have the Deuce rolled out while Aldeny & Tedman finish up their briefing over in Flight Control. Rocket is very flush with aircraft - more luck than design but shows how mounting was difficult initially. Great weather for flying today!

decoupler sits ahead of booster center of mass, so it will provide a nice kick up and back upon detach to ensure that it clears the tail of the aircraft, which will be flying level. The real test today is whether the rocket will flip over after release or not

Ted & Aldy have boarded after conferring with Jeb & Val on the readiness of the aircraft. Pre-flight now underway to get the engines fired up and the plane ready for departure. Progenitor & Genesis team member both here in Flight Control to monitor their respective missions

Progenitor team have called a flight abort after seeing readings indicating the rocket mount was not holding the vehicle properly once the aircraft engines were brought to life. Ted & Aldy are shutting down and going on standby while this new problem is worked on

strutting the Progeny Mk1-B to the Deuce has been completed and operations remain on track for a second flight attempt once the sun rises. Attach points on the booster will decouple and leave its surface relatively clean

Deuce crew of Flght Officers Aldeny (flight commander) and Tedman are reviewing their flight plan once again in briefing prior to heading out for preflight. They will aim to reach 7km ASL & release the rocket just west of KSC, which will parachute back to the ground for recovery

weather has remained excellent through to this day cycle, with high cirrus clouds and otherwise clear skies. Strong winds out of the WSW are of minor concern but should mostly help the aircraft climb better

Deuce has engine start, Progenitor team confirms rocket is looking secure and permission to taxi out to Rwy27 has been granted. Eyes will continue to watch the telemetry data as the aircraft trundles along towards its takeoff hold point

holding on the runway, Flight reports rocket remains secure and has given Aldeny permission to takeoff. Aircraft is only carrying 10% fuel to be as light as possible

Deuce tail had no trouble leaving the ground during takeoff run and Aldy rotated to climb out after just 330m of roll, reports a solid positive climb rate and no noticeable control issues. He asked Ted to confirm the rocket is even still strapped atop the aircraft! 😛

climbing through 3.5km, leaving KSC behind as they head into the wind. Rocket remains secure and Deuce remains stable in flight. Both Genesis and Progenitor teams have already agreed to go for a release

passing through 6km and 72km downrange, Aldy has begun to turn back towards KSC to prepare for release, which will be initiated at at the command of Flight Control by Tedman, who is otherwise sitting back and enjoying the flight

trimmed level at 7km ASL the Deuce is approaching KSC at 122m/s, 39km downrange. Once inside of 10km Flight will take a final look at the data and either give permission to release or instruct Aldy to go around for another pass

"Release! Release! Release!" Tedman triggered the decoupler to fire and the Progeny Mk1-B was successfully detached above the aircraft, clearing the tail as it fell back towards the ground. Spotter atop the VAB caught the rocket landing under good chute in the hills west of KSC

beginning his descent shortly after rocket release, Aldy has spiraled down from 7km to setup for a nice slow 15km approach to Rwy27 - flaps to full and gear down he's now on short final

perfect landing by Aldeny, who is now taxiing back to the HAB while recovery crews approach the rocket landing site to get it loaded up and trucked back to the VAB for analysis

Progenitor and Genesis teams have reviewed yesterday's flight data and conclude the release went extremely well - the rocket was flying on its own after being pushed away from the aircraft and the engine exhaust would have cleared the Deuce's tail

we're calling it - all crews standing down for the weekend. Everyone will be back ready to go on Monday! Catch up on everything that happened this week via bit.ly/OpSummary7-9-18