One of the instruments that was developed to fly on a future Extremis probe is small enough to be a payload for the Mk6 and studies charged particles – perfect for a shot into the inner radiation belt to test it out
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Bluedog Design Bureau has helped to finance a mission to test out their ion trap, which will be a future instrument for Extremis probes. Launch is scheduled for 5/14 @ 16:40. Mission details on the ops tracker: ops.kerbalspace.agency
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a relatively mundane week here at the KSC but as always exciting things are on the horizon. Catch anything you may have missed or find more details on what transpired in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8969
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
hrmm, roundabout answer but close enuf - no they can't, which would be nice since we could close them again in flight if we needed to expose an instrument... like the ion trap. So instead we just moved it to the upper payload truss to hopefully remain shielded from re-entry heat
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ops.kerbalspace.agency, launching next week, is being stacked vertical today to undergo fit and load checks. Launch base has been moved out to the pad already to replace the engine clamp and all other launch preparations are proceeding on schedule
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny Mk6 has been laid horizontal for final payload checkouts before they button up the fairings and load it up onto the carry vehicle for rollout on Monday. The ascent abort test Ascension Mk1 lifter will have the capsule stacked atop it today for fit & load checks
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mk6 is on its way out to be mounted. Progeny rockets have their own carry vehicle but it won't do any longer once the Mk7 comes around - those will use the same carry vehicle that bears the Ascension Mk1. The Ascension Mk2 will also use its own, much bigger, vehicle
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Ops Tracker is updated with resources & mass information for ops.kerbalspace.agency, which is now mounted out on the launch pad. Flight Director Lanalye and her team can now run preliminary system checks through the ground hookups
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tracking Station has finished their launch preparation, reporting they are fully calibrated and ready to support tomorrow's mission. All 4 dishes will be available for maximum redundancy
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the launch control team have submitted their readiness report, Ops Director @DKerman_KSA has reviewed and signed off on all of them - we are 🚀 GO FOR LAUNCH 🚀 tomorrow! Weather is forecast to be 75% favorable and pre-launch operations will kick off at 12:30 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
🌅Sunrise/Sunset🌄
@ KSC (UTC-4)
5/14
#2🌄08:41:09 🌅10:54:54 !!🚀!!
#3🌄14:42:00 🌅16:55:45
#4🌄20:42:51 🌅22:56:36
5/15
#1🌄02:43:42 🌅04:57:27
@ KSC (UTC-4)
5/14
#2🌄08:41:09 🌅10:54:54 !!🚀!!
#3🌄14:42:00 🌅16:55:45
#4🌄20:42:51 🌅22:56:36
5/15
#1🌄02:43:42 🌅04:57:27
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-4h10m] launch operations are kicking off! Monolith temple was closed to begin chilldown several hours earlier and is nearing sub-zero temperatures. All teams are assembling to begin their readiness checklists. We'll have updates at these major milestones:
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h40m] Flight Director Lanalye and her launch control team have gathered in the control facility to receive their final flight brief. This will be a standard Mk6-I flight profile with only one minor change not shown: the upper payload fairings will be detached
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the detachment of the upper payload fairings will allow the hemispherical ion trap to be exposed directly to space. It will also hopefully prevent it from being burnt up on re-entry since near the nose temperatures don't get as hot as closer to the tail
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we also have a much smaller than usual launch window today since we want to send the rocket up near mid-day cycle so it spends the most time in the radiation belt. If we have to delay launch by more than 15min we'll need to try again after 3rd sunrise
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h10m] we have a GO from the weather desk to begin preflight. Forecast for launch remains around 75% favorable with the main concern being surface winds, which are still the hardest to predict. Launch controllers now waking up the rocket for initialization
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the latest updates to the Automated Flight Control System can be found here: bit.ly/AFCS_ChangeLog nothing major - the Mk6-I is pretty standard fare by now
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h55m] rocket systems initialization has been completed, including the fuel & engine systems so the pad crew can begin to onload the 109kg of liquid propellants to the third stage. Launch controllers will continue to run tests of other systems
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h40m] tanking was completed on schedule and without issue. While pad workers clean up preflight will continue at launch control. Tank levels will be constantly monitored the remainder of the countdown to ensure no leaks are present
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h55m] issues board remains clear, launch prep proceeding on schedule. Pad is cleaned up from fueling ops and has been cleared out except for Quick Response Team in launch bunker as controllers now prepare to run booster ignition and engine checks
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h30m] rocket is in great shape, all systems check out. MSV Hoodall has reported on station for range monitoring duties. MSV Tongjess left Umbarg earlier today to sail out 300km downrange due east for recovery operations
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h20m] KerBalloon has been released out in the grasslands west of KSC. It will drift east on the wind over KSC and rise up to the upper atmosphere (>18km) to send back data on the upper-level winds so we can ensure no dangerous shear is present
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-45m] inside an hour now to launch and FD Lanalye is running her entire team through a final rehearsal to ensure all systems are properly configured and assets are all in place and ready to support the upcoming mission
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] we are GO for final countdown! Weather keeping a close eye on surface winds still. Rocket is set to go, now ensuring pad is locked down and eastern range is clear of any obstacles so we can proceed with arming the rocket
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-15m] Range Safety Officer has declared the launch zone closed and the rocket is now ARMED. Flight Termination System is also activated. Anyone who encroaches on the pad to within 300m will hold the countdown. All spectators should remain within designated areas
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-5m] Final readiness polls complete: Wx: GO; Range: GO; Flight: GO; Tracking: GO; Ops Director: Launch permission granted! 🚀 GO PROGENY 🚀 FTS to internal power, AFCS will go into active mode & begin terminal count in 3min. Ops Tracker: ops.kerbalspace.agency
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-2m] terminal countdown has begun, with the AFCS taking control of the rocket. Ground connections are pulled and battery power enabled. Drain rates and RF comm checks will be conducted leading up to the final T-30s primary station polls. Stand by!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
SRB-XL ignition & lift off! First stage will boost for 34s and carry the rocket >10km high at speeds exceeding Mach 2, with a peak thrust of ~68kN. Angled lower fins will spin the rocket up for stabilization
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ascent is nominal with good staging of both solid rocket motors. The third liquid fuel stage is now performing its burn and nozzle pressure is nominal. Apokee is already out of the atmosphere and climbing fast as the rocket pushes to exceed 2km/s
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
payload had a good ride into space, although it looks like the upper fairings may not have detached fully or cleanly since the rocket picked up some large precession after 45km when they were set to be released - as if there was excess drag on the vehicle. 9min to apokee
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
well, we tried to surprise everyone with streaming launch telemetry but despite all our testing something still managed to go wrong. Never fear though, because it's already archived for playback - ops.kerbalspace.agency
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've plotted the trajectory and looks like it will be coming down near to where the previous rocket landed, but a bit further south. MSV Tongjess should have already worked out the same thing and gotten underway. They are just over an hour distant
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are through apokee of 541km and rocket has begun the equally-long journey back down towards Kerbin's atmosphere. Rocket continues to wobble off center and is approaching 45° - not an optimal entry position but not yet worrisome either
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket is fast approaching the atmosphere, now passing through 250km falling at 1.8km/s and increasing. its flat spin hasn't gotten any worse and past re-entries have survived in poorer conditions - but not when missing two upper fairing halves
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we lost signal with the rocket over the horizon just seconds after atmospheric entry, so there's nothing we can do now except wait and hope for good news from MSV Tongjess in a few hours - they have to sail there, locate & recover, then sail back in range of comms
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
MSV Hoodall has headed back to port after returning the KerBalloon it recovered from just offshore. Launch pad has been confirmed clear of any debris and crew is getting the launch base ready to be moved back to the VAB so the engine clamp can be installed tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we took a reaaallly close look at the ground tracking video and didn't see any payload fairings detach at 45km. If they fell off afterwards by then everything was too small to make out. It will be interesting to see if either are still attached if recovery is successful
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
sailing home victorious, MSV Tongjess has managed to get word to us at last that they found and recovered the rocket ~370km downrange. Neither upper fairing was still attached. Here is the remainder of the ops log. ✨🎉 KERZZAH ✨🎉 great work everyone!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket has been returned to KSC and while the batteries and instruments on the upper truss are somewhat crispy, they are all still intact. Well, the batteries we don't care about except that if they had gotten too hot they would have exploded
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
analysis of yesterday's flight is well underway, Progenitor team taking a close look at the recovered data to see if they can determine what went wrong with the fairings. Public data set of the telemetry is available here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
both Progenitor and Ascension teams are working together today to turn around the launch facilities and get everything ready for the Ascension Mk1 ascent abort test tomorrow. The mission is basic enough to allow the launches to happen almost back to back
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lead Scientists Cheranne has been working with Bluedog Design Bureau researchers to analyze the ion trap data. She reports the instrument functioned well and initial findings are promising. They'll be doing a deep data dive for the remainder of the month at least
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
everyone is ready for a relaxing weekend after such a busy week! Be sure you're caught up with everything and learn even more details via our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9127
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a routine flight for the Mk6 successfully delivered instrument test data for researchers to study in the coming weeks. Only minor anomaly was fairing separation, which is covered in the full analysis report now available: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9134
