A new species of bacteria is discovered living in radioactive ore deposits during routine mining operations. Its properties have been explored for any benefits to kerbalkind. You can click the link below to reverse the order of the reports and start from the very beginning. Clicking on the bookmark icon will save your spot so you can return at any time to pick up where you left off.
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
news out of Sheltered Rock is increased mining for Kuudite has uncovered previously-unknown bacteria that appears to form large colonies deep within the deposits. Scientists are currently looking into ways to extract & study these creatures
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists have teased out some samples of the mysterious bacteria found in Kuudite deposits & are fascinated - it manages to live in a highly radioactive environment but doesn't emit dangerous levels of radiation itself. Studies remain ongoing
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
further bacterial samples have been extracted from Kuudite & studied. Within the high-radiation environment they multiply rapidly & form a rather large slimy substance - researchers have nicknamed it "mystery goo"
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
while mystery goo is not highly radioactive it is still potentially harmful over long term exposure so scientists are working on a container that would allow for safe study of it in various environments - including space
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists have continued to gather more mystery goo samples, still a difficult process due to the high radiation environment they live in. They have enough now that they've begun to notice the bigger bacterial colonies appear to exhibit properties of a larger organism
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
since it is attracted to the radioactive signature of Kuudite, scientists have been using the larger colonies of mystery goo they've collected to help them seek out new deposits, still hoping to be able to meet our eventual demand for RTG production
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lead Scientist Cheranne happily received the prototypes of two mystery goo container types from Head of R&D Wernher's team. They will be tested on a KerBalloon & Deuce flight next week. Radial (bottom) meant for aircraft while the inline (top) meant for rocket flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
earlier we launched & recovered a low-altitude balloon used to test the inline mystery goo containment unit. The radial version is being installed on the Deuce for flight testing tomorrow. Lead Scientist Cheranne's team will examine the samples to determine how they fared
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
nasty day with low overcast skies and the threat of rain. Jeb & Val will remain at flight readiness and hope that things clear up. Mystery goo sample will remain comfy in the hazmat lab next to some kuudite ore. It gets inserted into the containment unit during preflight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Jeb & Val are standing down for the day but will attempt their flight again tomorrow. Goo remains healthy in the lab. The sample flown via balloon yesterday came back dead, but instruments in the container did collect data while it was exposed & active
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
getting the mystery goo ready for today's flight, a lab technician accidentally dropped the sample, prompting a radiation breach alert. There goes their 107 day safety record. Hazmat crews are prepping to enter the lab and assess the situation
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good news from the science labs is the sample was not damaged & no breach occurred, which means Deuce mission is still a Go for today but the sample now won't be ready in time for this day cycle so wheels up is now scheduled for after 3rd sunrise
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
mystery goo sample has been installed into the radial containment pod mounted underneath the Deuce. Jeb & Val are suiting up and heading off to be briefed in Flight Control while ground crews prep the aircraft for preflight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good departure, Jeb has set course 225° to head towards Umbarg as a visual waypoint before turning due west to make for the west shore desert, then loop back around over the mountains. Goo will remain exposed the whole flight, up to 6km ASL
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
heading out over the desert and almost out of comms range from Umbarg, Val is using the belly cam to keep an eye on the goo canister to make sure it stays attached and the sample stays within. They are just coming up on 6km ASL
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
gradually making his way down Jeb kissed the runway at only 53m/s for a smooth rollout. Hopefully the goo had a good flight! Scientists will collect the sample after the aircraft taxis back in for analysis back in the labs
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
turns out the mystery goo that we reported dead earlier this week was really just in a sort of suspended animation due to lack of oxygen and gradually came back to life in the lab. Sample from the Deuce flight did not "die" and is also healthy. Scientists are fascinated
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/OpSummary5-21-… will get you caught up on anything you may have missed this week, as well as providing additional information. Everyone enjoy the weekend - launch next week!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/KerBalloonProg… is taking on another materials science mission and will piggyback them on the inline goo containment unit so we can see how the bacteria handle the upper-atmosphere, which not only lacks oxygen but radiation protection
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have release and signal acquisition, crew is packing up and hopping back into the UTVs to follow. This will be the goo's first ride into the upper atmosphere and scientists are eager to see how lack of oxygen + higher radiation levels affect it
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
envelope failure has sent the payload plummeting back towards Kerbin, goo containment unit successfully exposed the sample and is now closed back up for the descent. UTvs will continue navigating around the mountains to reach the area next day cycle to hunt it down
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
airship relay was on station with 3rd sunrise earlier and just passed on report from the UTVs that they have reached the landing site and are recovering the payload. They'll be back after 4th sunrise if no troubles arise on the traverse
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all three UTvs have safely returned to KSC and a team of lab technicians on call have come in to move the goo sample back to the hazmat area so an initial study can be performed immediately
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
mystery goo samples returned late yesterday showed no signs of life but scientists weren't fooled this time - closer study showed all cells to be intact - it once again entered a state of suspended animation in lieu of a livable environment. But will it come back?
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
although it took longer, the mystery goo samples that were sent into the upper atmosphere last week have revived, although overall the bacteria that makes up the goo does not seem to be very healthy and the study remains ongoing
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
although it did come out of stasis, the mystery goo sample that flew to the upper atmosphere never really managed to get back to being fully healthy and has now really died off. Scientists are planning to launch another sample to continue gathering data
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
kerbalspace.agency/?p=7518 is the direct and proper link to today's Ops Summary
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/KerBalloonProg… will be heading out to sea for some more goo studies coupled with contract work while bit.ly/GenesisProgram has finally worked out a deal for the next round of Civvie atmospheric sample gathering
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KB crews have released a balloon from bit.ly/Area_PB-G4. As it passes 16km one of the two mystery goo samples in the containment unit will be sealed and re-pressurized while the second remains exposed all the way up to the upper atmosphere
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
balloon recovery underway soon as it nears max altitude. The goo will be separated again in the lab upon return, some being placed next to varying amounts of kuudite ore while some control samples receive none
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
early results from the latest goo study show those samples placed near kuudite are recovering the fastest, but larger amounts that they can tolerate normally have negative impacts on their recovery time and ensuing health. Control samples show similar results to prev experiments
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we hope everyone has some cool and exciting plans for this weekend! Before you go, catch up on all the latest stuff that happened this week along with additional supplementary information via bit.ly/OpSummary6-25-…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progenitor program is working to sign two contracts that would see Progeny Mk6 Block I rockets carry into space two new science experiments, hopefully by this month or next
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
contract signed and part order placed for another Progeny Mk6 Block I that will see mystery goo carried up into space! Launch date will be 7/25 @ 17:02 UTC. More info on the mission can be found on the Ops Tracker: ops.kerbalspace.agency/?vessel=progen…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h40m] launch team is getting ready for final briefing from Flight Director Lanalye on their mission today, which is another routine flight to high Kerbin space. This will be the first rocket to launch carrying a living payload: two mystery goo containment units
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the mystery goo will be exposed in space beneath the radiation layer and while within the radiation layer. The two canisters closely match the mass of the payload truss & batteries they replaced so we don't expect any large changes to rocket behavior in flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have booster ignition and a good lift off! Rocket is soaring high into the sky atop a pillar of flame, leaving the launch site with a thrust of 67.2kN for 4Gs of acceleration. First stage burn will last 34 seconds & push the rocket up to >600m/s and ~15km ASL
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
BECO & space entry @ L+1m27s within 60ms of each other. Coasting now to an apokee of 495km over the next 8 minutes. One goo containment unit has already been opened to expose the sample to vacuum. It will close again as we near the boundary of the hazardous radiation region
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
first goo containment has closed, second has opened as the rocket passed through 330km. We don't have a radiation instrument on board this flight so we're using past flight data to estimate where the radiation boundary is
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are through apokee and beginning to fall back to Kerbin. The goo containment units will reverse their operation, the second closing near the end of the radiation boundary and the first re-opening (shown in Ops Tracker). It will close again prior to re-entry at 80km in ~8min
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have loss of signal as the rocket passed through 60km descending into the upper atmosphere 270km downrange. MSV Hoodall will continue to track the rocket & record telemetry data as it moves in for recovery operations. As usual it will take a few hours until we have news
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
finally, word from Hoodall! Sadly there will be no kerzzah as the rocket apparently went 💥KERBOOM💥 during re-entry. They spent extra time in the recovery zone collecting whatever debris they could find on the surface to return to us. More after a Progenitor meeting tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
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
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
after much debris analysis, flight modeling and design reviews - the flight analysis report for the recent Progeny Mk6-I launch is now available: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8032
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
TL;DR - none of the recovered debris was from the goo units, so we can't know for sure they are responsible but all other data points to the rest of the rocket performing as normal. We can only theorize and try to prevent what we think happened from occurring again
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Experimental Engineering Group have delivered our new inline material bays and mystery goo containment units. They have been toughened, re-certified and will be integrated next month if EM field drops to be tested on Progeny Mk6 Block I flights kicking off the new year
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
with Monolith activities (hopefully) continuing to wind down and KSC slowly coming back to full operation, you can recap the whole sequence of events that began back in early August with this chronological timeline: twitter.com/KSA_MissionCtr…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
🚀 we have launch dates for January!! 🚀
Progeny Mk6 Block I: 1/15 @ 15:53 UTC
Ascension Mk1 Block I: 1/23 @ 22:21 UTC
Progeny Mk6 Block II: 1/31 @ 16:47 UTC
Progeny Mk6 Block I: 1/15 @ 15:53 UTC
Ascension Mk1 Block I: 1/23 @ 22:21 UTC
Progeny Mk6 Block II: 1/31 @ 16:47 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
oh hey! We're still getting back into the habit of having to write up our weekly operations reports. Even if you don't think you missed anything this week, we also tend to elaborate on various things: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8305
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
weather forecast from yesterday has held mostly true - winds are not as bad as expected but rain has arrived. Lightning also seen in the area. We will postpone launch again until tomorrow @ 15:56 UTC. Forecast is still 60% chance of violation so fingers crossed!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
greetings space fans! The time has come for us to once again attempt a rocket launch!! It's been over 5 months since our last launch, which was the same mission that we will be attempting again today. You can recap it here: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8032
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
today's launch will follow a standard Mk6-I mission profile. As with the previous attempt, we will be exposing the onboard goo samples to separate regions of space, both below and inside the radiation belt
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the previous launch showed no significant deviation using the two containment units in place of a second payload rack thanks to the similar mass. The only problem was possibly being unable to withstand re-entry stress/heat. These upgraded units should be more capable
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h55m] rocket is woke and system checks are underway. Meanwhile it has also been configured to begin tanking, crews on the pad have the GO to start loading up 109kg of liquid propellants to the third stage. Sunset has just faded below the horizon, bringing out the night sky
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] we are GO for final countdown! Weather remains within limits from here on the ground, tho winds could pick up more as we get closer to sunrise. Balloon ascent remains nominal. Anticipation... increasing...
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-15m] RSO has closed all access to the launch pad and downrange areas - any violation will hold the count. Rocket's Flight Termination System has been brought online and boosters are ARMED for ignition. Sunrise was a few mins ago, taken from outside Launch Control
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
LIFTOFF!! Lower booster has ignited to push the rocket off the pad at 4Gs with 67kN of thrust. It will expire after 34 seconds, pushing the rocket up to >15km at speeds >600m/s. 2nd stage will coast until nose drops 1.5° before continuing powered ascent
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
and after just 1m29s we are back in space! We have about 8.5 minutes until 507km apokee. Bottom goo containment unit has already opened its doors to expose the sample. Hoodall is still tracking the 1st & 2nd stage boosters as they fall back to the Kerblantic
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
goo containment units have swapped - bottom one closed, top one open - as we passed through 350km, which is aroundabouts where the radiation belt begins. We don't have a radiation detector onboard (needed the room for batteries) so we are using data from past launches
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've passed through apokee, our highest point on the sub-orbital trajectory. Rocket is now beginning to fall back towards the atmosphere, which it will slam into at >2km/s in about 10 minutes. Top goo unit will remain exposed until we are back out of the radiation belt
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
top goo unit has cycled closed & we have confirmation it is locked. Lower goo unit open again until we near the atmosphere. Rocket has remained stable, oriented engine-down for a proper re-entry. Rocket will reach the upper bounds of the atmosphere in ~3min
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we had confirmation of door lock on the bottom goo canister prior to atmospheric interface @ +19m13s. Plasma blackout has occurred and we will not regain comms before the rocket drops below the horizon. Post-launch ops are continuing and we will await word from MSV Tongjess
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
news at last!! Unfortunately, although they spent almost an hour searching the area, MSV Tongjess reports no sign of the rocket or its signal was found. If it did submerge at some point after landing, it could have easily sunk below crush depth before Tongjess arrived
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
however the news isn't all bad! Tongjess did regain communication with the rocket after plasma blackout and has log recordings of it deploying chute, although full deployment and splashdown occurred just below the horizon
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
one launch week down, two more to go! We have more details on what went down this past week over at kerbalspace.agency/?p=8347 have a nice weekend, everyone!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists working with mystery goo have gotten closer to isolating what makes the substance able to enter & exit suspended animation. The next Progeny Mk6 flight could actually prove more valuable now than had we succeeded with the samples sent up on earlier attempts
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
while the launch remains on schedule for next Tues, a note for all planning to watch: L-0 set early as possible to give us time to adjust Monolith temple temps if storms form. If storms fail to form or abate, we will hold @ L-1h30m and wait for a mid-day cycle launch @ 19:00 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
what a later launch time does is rotate us under the region of the inner radiation belt that is the most-compressed by the kerbolar wind and closer to the surface of the planet, which means the payload will spend more time within the belt
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
recap and learn more about the events from this past week via our Ops Summary, including the return of a Desk Note now that @DKerman_KSA is back from his trip to Sheltered Rock kerbalspace.agency/?p=8811
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all readiness reviews have been approved by Ops Director @DKerman_KSA and we are 🚀 GO FOR LAUNCH! 🚀 weather forecast tomorrow is 90% favorable with a small chance of high surface winds. Review launch time and all mission details via the Ops Tracker: ops.kerbalspace.agency/?vessel=progen…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have liftoff!! Lower 0.625m booster has ignited with an intial force of 67.2kN to push the rocket off the pad at ~4Gs. It will burn for ~34 seconds and stage a second later. The rocket will then coast until its nose drops 1.5° before igniting the 2nd stage SRB
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
successful ascent has left the rocket zooming upwards towards an apokee of 516km, which it will reach in just under 9min from now. Lower goo containment unit has already cycled open, and will remain exposed until the rocket nears the radiation belt lower boundary
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket has passed 300km in altitude and we have confirmation the lower goo unit has closed while the upper one has opened and will remain so throughout the duration of its time within the region of higher radiation
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
through apokee now, the rocket has begun its descent back towards Kerbin. Already 179km downrange, it will be traveling far further than we anticipated, even based on previous launches. MSV Lymun should already be moving to intercept. All systems remain nominal
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the goo have swapped exposure once more after the rocket passed back below 300km. The lower containment unit will seal itself off at 80km as it approaches the atmosphere. The upper unit is confirmed locked shut
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
atmospheric interface imminent. Lower containment unit has been confirmed closed & sealed. We'll lose direct signal here at KSC shortly but will get a relay from Sheltered Rock until the horizon or plasma blackout cuts off signal
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the rocket's last known position was 342km downrange, which means it could still travel another 20-30km before splashdown. This puts it ~3hrs beyond our planned landing area. A lengthy delay in recovery is what lead to the loss of the previous rocket to attempt this mission...
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
✨🎉 KERZZAHH!! 🎉✨ Third time the charm! News has reached us sooner than we hoped - rocket landed so close to shore it washed up on the beach. No snacks for sea creatures this time! Payload is intact and on its way back to KSC, we'll get it first thing tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
mystery goo mission data has been returned to us & contract payment has been received - finally! We only publish full finances monthly but you can get more regular updates by checking a program's page on the website: kerbalspace.agency/?page_id=1824
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
highly likely as the ground would have been soft enough & the engine/fuel tanks would absorb most of the impact before it reached any critical components. Slightly further inland may have been iffy not just due to ground firmness but terrain height leaving less room to slow down twitter.com/Bookz2232/stat…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
flight analysis of the latest Progeny Mk6 mission is now up for review: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8843 This was last planned Mk6 mission until the Mk7 comes into service later this year, but we are leaving contract submissions open so additional launches are possible before then
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
learn more about today's semi-successful launch escape system pad abort test and more happenings from this past week in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8845 Sadly yes, this will delay getting a kerbal aboard for a sub-orbital flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
papers have been hitting science journals with results from the Mystery Goo atmospheric flights in 2018 and space flight early this year and now new orbital experiments are being designed that we hope to have the privilege to fly in early 2020 aboard the Ascension Mk2
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists continue to remain fascinated by the ability of the Goo to resist space radiation, different from the radiation of its underground habitat, and also enter stasis when lacking atmosphere. Longer-term orbital studies are needed to fully understand it
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ongoing mystery goo studies have found the larger colonies that seem to allow for higher-level functions are much more successful in locating new deposits of Kuudite, allowing for our future demand of RTGs to be met once they are certified for space use
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
actually it will be the Ascension Mk1 that gets to continue Mystery Goo studies. The flight in May will carry two radial goo canisters on the side of the unkerbed Mk1 capsule up through both radiation belts and out of the magnetosheath twitter.com/KSA_MissionCtr…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists investigating the larger colonies of Mystery Goo in the lab find that when big enough to act as a combined entity, they can attack other groups when introduced together. They are working now to determine if this is over resources or difference in makeup (subspecies?)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists over in the R&D labs are getting Mystery Goo samples rdy for containment so they can be launched into space aboard a Mk1-A capsule later this year. Goo has been launched into space before (with Progeny rockets) but this will be the 1st use of radial-mounted containers
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
here is a closer look at the great job the engineering team did cramming batteries into the decoupler for this upcoming mission, which was absolutely necessary to power all the science equipment and beam the data home. More details from @DKerman_KSA: twitter.com/DKerman_KSA/st…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
earlier at 2nd sunrise crews began to arrive at the launch pad to lower the rocket for late cargo onload of the Mystery Goo samples. It's not just a volatility issue, the samples are also radioactive & thus would have been a minor hazard to pad crew during rollout/WDR yesterday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h40m] the lights are on in Launch Control as Flight Director Lanalye's Launch Team B reports for final briefing ahead of preflight operations. Here is the ascent and mission plan for today. We barely made the mass limit to get everything we wanted up into the inner belt
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h30m] Lanalye reports launch controllers are standing by, rocket is healthy and primed for flight! Pad crew is back near the rocket again for final closeouts while the Range Safety Officer begins ensuring airspace and waters around KSC are clear & will remain that way
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-5m] we are GO for launch! Final polls completed with weather calm, Tracking Station dishes aligned, controllers ready, rocket primed for ignition, range clear & permission granted by Ops Director @DKerman_KSA. FTS is on internal power, service tower unlocked for retraction
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good engine start, nominal chamber pressures at throttle up, launch thrust good - we have LIFT OFF! The 13th Ascension Mk1 heads up to increase our knowledge of the hazardous inner radiation belt. Once clear of the tower engine will throttle to full, guidance will enable
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
MECO to w/in 2 sec! A relatively quick ascent with full burn heading almost straight up. Body rates are minimal & RCS will soon be brought online to stabilize. Flight computer is being purged of ascent instructions to load rest of mission code & kick off the science observations
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
this image heralded the coming of science data, confirming the high gain antenna have deployed. You can just make out the north end of the Cape to the right of the antenna base. Apparently we also seem to have lost the LES tower at some point somehow?
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
still racing upwards at over 1km/s, the rocket has passed 250km and out of Low-Kerbin Orbit. Goo canisters have switched exposure to prepare the samples that will be exposed to the high-radiation environment of the inner belt, which it should reach sometime in the next 2-3 mins
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
increasing levels of radiation beginning at 342km have triggered the capsule to withdraw the RPWS antenna and seal the hatch so the shielding efficacy can be tested. Magnetometer continues to collect data along with the Goo. Now we hope for no electronic glitches/failures
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
so far so good! Apokee is lower than planned, as expected. Hatch will now re-open to split the time back down through the belt between the GRS and RPWS. Peak exposure was recorded as 6.816rad/h so we came up a bit short of the densest region, which can be as high as 10rad/h
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
belt was exited @ 342km! We did a near-perfect slice up across the middle as planned. Goo canisters will switch again when re-entering LKO. If you're not still watching the Ops Tracker, these vehicle state updates are being depicted as they happen ops.kerbalspace.agency/?vessel=ascens…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
coming up fast on re-entry in <2min. Here is where we will miss the LES, with a very late capsule release from the lifter at only 150km for max science grab, it would have done a much better job pushing clear than the RCS, but RCS should still do the job okay
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have confirmation that preparations are underway to get the capsule clear of the lift stage and oriented for re-entry. It has ~40s to do what it needs to do before slamming into the atmo @ 2km/s+. Keep an eye on the Ops Tracker for comms blackout
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we at least know the capsule was set for re-entry & if all went well it should be under chute around now for a safe splashdown ~125km downrange, right near where MSV Aldeny is stationed so we should have some news soon on how it fared. Post-launch ops are already in full swing
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
✨🎊 KERZZAH!! 🎉✨ \[0_o]/ MSV Aldeny has hauled the capsule out onto the deck & reports that it is beat up (this was its 4th flight) but intact. The heatshield however was found floating in pieces that will be collected to determine what happened. Overall tho - mission success!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
post-launch operations have concluded: flight data collected for analysis, Lead Engineer Simon reports no damage at the launch pad, capsule will be back at KSC tomorrow on a train from Umbarg. Congrats to all the teams on a successful return to rocket flight!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
here are the final moments we missed after LOS showing we actually came real close to losing the capsule - looks like we cut margins a little too fine in saving mass with smaller chutes - the capsule reached a safe landing speed only 50m above the sea surface!! 😬😬😬
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
have a look at the Gamma Ray Spectrometer retracting back into the capsule as it is detached from the lift stage and begins to orient for re-entry. 5FPS video was beamed back thx to remaining EC on the lift stage batteries, until atmo drag pulled antenna out of alignment
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
staring towards the sun normally camera wouldn't see capsule that well, but so low to Kerbin light is reflecting back to illuminate it. Also did you see Mun? And Minmus?
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
this was an exciting week, make sure you didn't miss anything by check out our weekly Ops Summary on the website, where we have some speculation on the USI sale. We hope everyone has a relaxing weekend! kerbalspace.agency/?p=11062
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it took the software team a while to work with the engineers and replicate the LES decouple anomaly but finally we can publish the full flight report for the 11th space radiation study launched back in June. What do all these plots mean? Find out: kerbalspace.agency/?p=11126
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
here's a first look at Kerbin III, with notes on its design and mission objectives. Final blueprint coming in Jan after any adjustments made based on Kerbin II recovery. Most of this design is final though and has already started assembly to meet the launch target of early Feb
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Q1 launch schedule now filled - save the dates! Additional info via our bit.ly/KSA_Programs page on the website (now with entries for the Mk3 & 8) or the bit.ly/Ops_Tracker. The Mk3, 1 & 8 missions are all pivotal in deciding how we move forward the rest of the year!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
fresh Mystery Goo samples have arrived to be installed in their capsule aboard Kerbin III. Scientists are excited to finally get the Goo a ride that will last longer than several minutes in space to get a better understanding of its long-term exposure to space radiation
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
previous missions have shown the Goo to be extremely resilient both against the harsh vacuum of space and the extreme radiation of the inner belt. The organism has shown to be able to enter stasis and recover when back on Kerbin exposed to kuudie. Long-term exposure may be diff
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good main engine ignition, booster ignition and LIFT OFF! The first flight of the Ascension Mk3 soars up into the sky to carry the Kerbin III probe up into orbit so it can perform a long-term study of the radiation belts. Launch thrust is 306kN for a TWR of 1.45
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ABORT! ABORT! ABORT! A tumbling upper stage was unable to show signs of recovery and the ascent has been terminated. Viklun ignition was good so the RCS is attempting to re-orient the vessel retrograde while the engine is in low-thrust mode so velocity can be reduced
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're relaying through 2 other ships but have received the message that MSV Aldeny has found the rocket intact! Viklun stage suffered heavy damage as expected but Kerbin III is looking in good shape. Great to hear the best worst case scenario for this mission has been achieved
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the Viklun stage & Kerbin III have been transported via rail back to KSC after arriving in port at Umbarg on Sunday. We still have to confirm that Kerbin III remains fit for flight but visual inspection looks good. Entire Viklun stage will need to be rebuilt but that was expected
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
there is also now apparently a threat against KSC and we have complied with orders from the government security forces earlier today that the entire facility be evacuated. We will continue to operate at limited capacity from our HQ in Umbarg until the threat has passed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
at this time we do not know the nature of the threat or the time frame, but given that we have suffered an attack in the past (kerbalspace.agency/?p=9965) we have no choice but to take this seriously & deal with the relatively minor inconvenience compared to a potential loss of life
