We set out to explore the various biomes that exist in the area around KSC. Shores, Water & Highlands have been scienced, now for Grasslands
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we've got a delivery date for our new KerBalloons - five will be arriving next Tuesday & we hope to loft payloads later in the week
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catch up on new developments this past week in our Weekly Ops Summary - bit.ly/OpsSummary10-1…. have a great weekend everyone!
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still unloading the cargo ship that came in earlier today (photo from earlier too). Lots of supplies, and our new KerBalloon parts!
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Lead Scientist Cheranne is especially looking forward to getting out of the office to oversee the KerBalloon launches over the next few days
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balloons have been trucked over from the support village warehouse and now reside in the VAB for assembly to begin later today
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astronauts are off on an excursion aboard the MSV Tongjess to train in various water survival techniques, like using pants for flotation
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astronauts have returned. Everyone is wet but no one drowned. Tongjess will remain anchored offshore for KerBalloon launch/recovery this wk
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also finishing assembly today are two KerBalloon payloads for launch tmrw. Pretty much same design as our test flight, here's a closer look
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Flight Director Lanalye has the afternoon booked solid with drills for her team of controllers to get rdy for the KerBalloon & Mk2 launches
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launch crews have an adventure ahead of them these next few KerBalloon launches, taking our off-road rovers (we have 5) out into the wild
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all 5 of our UTVs are being readied today to head out in the afternoon carrying 2 KerBalloons & supplies for launches tomorrow and Thursday
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roll out!! Launch crews are on their way to Umbarg, from which they will depart early tomorrow to reach the Grasslands launch location
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Val finally caught Mun occulting Jool earlier. Jool vanished behind Mun at 21:45 UTC, reappearing at 21:57. Tylo & Vall also visible
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she almost got clouded out again though - rainfall has just started and is expected to continue into tomorrow. May affect balloon launch
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word from Umbarg is that launch crews have departed on schedule for the launch site, tho weather continues to be a minor concern
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although balloon can't fly to upper atmo, its less-flexible tougher material does make it more capable for launching in inclement weather
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after an early lunch Flight Director Lanalye and staff are on console in launch control. Tracking station is awaiting signal acquisition
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we expect AOS to occur within 3-5 min of launch time, but this is based on very old regional survey data. Terrain could block signal longer
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we are at L-0 time, now to sit and wait for signal. Lanalye did request extra funds for an airship relay but was denied by Mortimer
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tracking station still reports no signal. However, launch team could have been delayed in launch due to weather. So waiting continues
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Lanalye has gotten in touch w/launch crew via passing airship, they confirm weather hold & will continue to try throughout daylight window
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tracking station reports they have a signal! Launch control confirms readout of altitude & vertical speed. Balloon already at 5km
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controllers taking turns watching the v/s readout for the balloon. Pretty boring, but need to make sure it stays positive until expected alt
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positive ascent rate has turned negative as balloon's maximum altitude reached. Payload chute will be commanded to pre-deploy @ 7km in ~1min
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signal lost sooner than expected, but vertical speed readout confirms initial pre-deployment of the recovery chute was successful
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we'll hear from the recovery team when they return to Umbarg. Now it's straight into launch drills the rest of the day to prep for tomorrow
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recovery crew returned to Umbarg victorious, with a fully intact payload. They tracked it very well this time, as this recovery photo shows
