Commander Valentina and Captain Jebediah test out some new externally-mounted atmospheric monitoring equipment that could be used to fly through storms & gather valuable in-situ weather data
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Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
while a lot of work remains in the investigation, all parties involved feel a point has been reached where we can release a statement not only on the events of this past week but the events of the past few years that led up to this brazen attack: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9965
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
TL;DR - a sect of violent Monolithic followers remains set against our space-bound ambitions even after being secretly banished to the other side of the planet by religious leaders, where they happened upon a large unknown population of kerbs receptive to "salvation"
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
TL;DR (it is a lot to take in) - our current stance is to work to determine all the details of how this attack was carried out and put in place measures to prevent future attempts. We are not backing down nor is any action yet able to be taken against those responsible
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
new external sensors from R&D were being installed under the wings of the Deuce last week. Lead Engineer Simon plans to finish up once KSC is re-opened and allow the Genesis program to pioneer new territory in weather analysis by flying through storm systems
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the radome has been completed on the tall hills west of KSC and will be hooked up to the Tracking Station by tomorrow, which means we can return to KSC next week! Due to security, it's tough working remotely for engineering and R&D teams w/o full file access
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ahead of the first aircraft mission tomorrow in months, the KSC groundskeep crew have performed needed maintenance on the turf runways, which not only need their grass regularly trimmed but making sure the soil is compact & tidal floods haven't left behind dangerous debris
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
weather has cooperated today for a Deuce flight with Cdr Val & Cpt Jeb, who will eventually seek out rough & stormy weather but for now prefer milder conditions to test the aircraft's performance with the new under-wing atmospheric sensor pods. Wheels up @ ~20:45 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a ground crew member atop the power unit that supplies the Deuce with electricity until the engines are started, which is coming up soon, takes a photo into the cabin as the flight crew work through preflight, still aiming for an on-time departure
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Jeb has requested taxi & takeoff clearance, which have been granted. The runway is still not completely clear of the rocket sled track so they will be departing from and returning to the turf runway. Winds are off the water so the aircraft is headed out to Rwy09 for departure
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
positive climb rate established, Jeb has raised the gear and notched flaps from takeoff (2) to climb (1) while Val holds a steady ascent at full power. Standard departure will have them fly runway heading to 800m ASL before turning on course for the mission & raising flaps
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
climbing through 5.5km the belly cam catches some stunning cloud rolls coming up towards the peaks of the mountains west of KSC, which have strong updrafts and winds which the new sensors will be put to the test monitoring along with temp, press, etc
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
done with the mountains and some of the grasslands, the crew are now on course for the desert on the western shore to sample some drier air, and will then make a pass over the southern volcano to see if any outgassing can be detected from 8km
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the Deuce is just starting to circle around and then pass over the volcano, seen here off in the distance earlier from over the desert. Keologists think it was extinct before the Sea Ring crater impact, which may have brought magma back to make it now dormant
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lead Scientist Cheranne has told Jeb they have collected enough data, Val has them back on course for KSC and given they are still at nearly 8km the crew will be preparing for descent shortly. Throttle is stuck, likely frozen control cables but should thaw out as they descend
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Jeb has declared an emergency - Val pulled back throttle once she felt it give but about 1/3 back from full power the levers fell back to idle however engines are still running at around 68% power. With control cables broken, landing will be tricky
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Val is continuing her descent and approach for pattern entry over KSC while Jeb handles toggling the thrust reversers on her command to get a feel for how the aircraft responds since they are not usually engaged when traveling at flight speeds
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
emergency vehicles are on their way out to the runway as Val is coming around left-pattern onto crosswind leg, keeping her speed up so the aircraft doesn't surprise her but managing her approach rate well with the help of Jeb on the thrust reversers
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rolling out onto base leg, one more turn to line up with the runway for short final. Flight crew is calm & in control. Once Val touches down & uses reverse thrust to slow further, Jeb will shut down the engines so wheel brakes can bring the aircraft to a stop
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
full stop! Great landing by Val, a bit hard on the touchdown since the aircraft slowed too much and fell from a stall but it settled into the turf and rolled out fine. Crew is deplaning to hitch a ride back to KSC while a tug heads out to get the Deuce back into the HAB
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lead Engineer Simon has confirmed the engine throttle cables broke - likely they were already weakened from water corroding them inside the lines and the long flight at high altitude freezing them didn't help. Deuce will get a full cabling replacement & better sealing
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we gave into some light speculation on the news about the Deuce aircraft and also have some more info on future Ascension plans now that the pad repair process can begin. That and more which transpired this week in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=10044
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the Genesis program has heard back from meteorologists they passed data to from our last science flight - they are eager for more! We haven't worked out any contract deals yet but will continue to share data when we can in the hopes of creating even more interest
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Ascension program planners are still working the updated drag and flight dynamics results from the Mk1 flight into the Mk2 ascent trajectory to make sure we still end up in an orbit so expect a launch date next week. What about this week? Catch up: kerbalspace.agency/?p=10393
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
repairs for the Civvie will take about a month, in the meantime the Deuce is also grounded until a full review of maintenance records and procedures is carried out by Lead Engineer Simon, who is currently working to appoint a new head mechanic
