Deuce Science Flight 8

still dark out here but dawn is fast approaching over bit.ly/Sector_JENH, and it will be daylight by the time Aldy & Ted travel the 444km to reach it as they taxi the Deuce out for departure to conduct their aerial survey mission

winds calm, aircraft has departed from Rwy09 to set them on course. Aldy is climbing now through 800m to 2.5km from which they will cruise and conduct their surveillance over the target area. Last time we hunted for sea beasts was in a Civvie: kerbalspace.agency/?p=5707

we've signed off with Tedman as the aircraft drops below the horizon 64km downrange. They are cruising at 85% throttle with a speed of ~153m/s so they should reach their target area in about 40-45 minutes from now

Deuce should be near the observation site now. Aldeny will begin a search pattern, working north towards the mouth of the river while Tedman monitors the belly camera as it rotates and snaps photos of the surrounding area beneath the aircraft

aerial survey should still be ongoing. We won't know details until they fly back in range. Having left with fuel tanks topped off (2t), at cruising speed the aircraft burns roughly 335kg/hr. They are now down only about 1/3 of their tank

we're getting reports of some severe weather whipping up out to sea that could be moving our way. We've sent notice via airships traveling to Sheltered Rock & Ockr to attempt to raise Tedman and suggest they divert to SRG instead of return to KSC

airship & aircraft companies may not be friends, but pilots are pilots & airship captains are always happy to pass along radio messages. We aren't relying on them tho, flight protocols mandate Deuce has enough fuel remaining to divert if needed once they contact us directly again

we just got patched through to the Deuce, now in range of Sheltered Rock. They got our message on their way back and have diverted, are now inbound to land at SRG. Aldeny flew quite the comprehensive search pattern!

aircraft has arrived at SRG. Crew will stand by while we wait for this squall that did indeed move inland to blow over - it stirred up quick and storms like these don't usually stick around long. Ted & Aldy should be able to fly home later today

here's just one of nearly 15,000 photos that were taken during the overflight of the survey area. Scientists will be studying them all closely for any sign of large creatures near or breaking the surface. Ted & Aldy said they saw nothing but mainly had eyes on instruments

weather has cleared up here and we have word from Sheltered Rock that the Deuce has just departed. We're taking this opportunity to also ferry some USI employees from their HQ there that will be assisting with the upcoming Progeny launches this month

Tedman has hailed us here at KSC as they pop over the horizon, reports a smooth flight. Aldy is prepping their descent to land from 3.5km at 60km out, Flight has cleared them for an approach to Rwy09

we've had arrival of the Deuce back at KSC along with its 4 passengers. Ted & Aldy have also officially ousted Jeb & Val as bit.ly/KSARecords holders for Longest Mission Distance, Longest Single Flight Distance and Longest Continuous Flight Time. Kerzzah!

no sign was spotted in any of the photos the Deuce took of sea creatures at or near the surface of the water. Once again the hunt comes up empty. We are still aware of very few marine animals that have survived or evolved since the asteroid impact

that's not to say a whole lot didn't survive, but that research into sea life since returning to surface activities has been extremely low outside of commercial fishing. Hopefully more sightings by maritime services spur additional expeditions to explore the seas some more