Progeny Mk1-B Captive Carry & Release Test 4

data from today's Progeny Mk1-B release shows the rocket only reached 74°, slightly less than the previous release test. This is likely due to the increased aircraft pitch blocking more of the airstream that was pushing the rocket upright after release

Deuce flight data shows it can safely pitch higher, but release margin will be a lot tighter due to the aircraft being closer to stalling, so much so that the rocket's flight computer will need to monitor and engage the release if proper conditions are met

Flight Officers Tedman & Aldeny remain on standby. Weather conditions so far today have been good for flying, but not for flying *and* releasing a rocket. They've grown used to waiting and the ready room certainly has comfy recliners

the ready room is occupied once again by Flight Officers Tedman & Aldeny as they await clearance for another rocket carry & release test today. Currently winds are not favorable, and we hear thunder in the distance. They will be set to go if conditions improve at any time

stormy weather has passed and reports from the direction it came from say better conditions are following. Ted & Aldy are heading off to Flight Control for their briefing, Flight Director Lanalye has the launch team coming on console as well to ready the rocket

the rocket will NOT be fired today, but ground controllers are tasked with some additional work this mission due to the rocket now being in control of its own release if the Deuce manages to hit a specific angle and speed when the time comes to let go

everything is set for the pilots to head out to the Deuce, begin preflight and prepare for departure. There is some concern conditions at altitude will not be good for release, but we won't know for sure until the aircraft is up there

engines are running and clearance has been granted for Tedman to taxi out and takeoff from Rwy27, with winds coming out of the NW. Aldy will be running backup for ground control - should they lose signal he can locally ensure rocket's flight computer is running properly

much less room on this older flight computer model to store code so the script that will manage the release of the rocket is very crude. You can get the gist of it here: gist.github.com/KSAMissionCtrl…

aircraft has departed, is climbing out due west for 6km before turning back towards KSC. With engines at full power the Deuce can maintain a climb rate of 10m/s with a speed of ~125m/s

diverting south of west to hdg225 so they avoid the mountains, Ted reports things are bumpy as they head through the cloud layer but this is to be expected. We are hoping for smoother air above 5km. Aircraft is currently at 3.7km ASL, 36km downrange traveling 127m/s

turning back for KSC, Ted reports smooth flying. He will finish the climb to 7km and level off in preparation for the deployment maneuver to occur once they are within 10km of KSC. They are 65km downrange traveling ~122m/s so ground control standing by for release in ~7-8min

14km out we have a GO for deployment maneuver - once thru 10km Ted will dive to 6.5km then haul the nose up into a steep climb, pulling 4-5Gs. Aldy confirms flight computer is now running. It will release the rocket if pitch is >62° passing thu 7km without stalling (speed >70m/s)

we had release! Rocket was let go at 65° while traveling at 105m/s and nosed up to 81° before falling over back towards the ground. Deuce stalled shortly afterwards and recovered successfully, is now descending to land. Recovery chute has deployed for the rocket

Genesis & Progenitor teams have concluded they can fire off the Progeny Mk1-B rocket but still want to do one final test as a rehearsal to ensure that release conditions can be replicated, gather additional flight data from the rocket & do everything else except ignite the engine

catch up with what went on this week and learn some additional details in our Ops Summary. Everyone worked tirelessly this week and we hope you enjoy a nice break over the weekend! kerbalspace.agency/?p=7889