We get our first production sample from KerBalloon and see how it handles an ascent to max altitude of 16.5km and back to the ground
As the first mission of a new vehicle, this dispatch includes all the design and development leading up to deployment. To skip to the mission, click here.
Kerbal Space Agency
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being on the equator of a body in a perfectly circular orbit means weather is pretty constant. We have temps between 70-90°F all year long
Kerbal Space Agency
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when the jet stream dips low the mountains to the west do uplift moisture and cause bad storms to come through every now and again
Kerbal Space Agency
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meteorology isn't something kerbalkind has cared much about until recently, so a lot of our science studies will also look into weather
Kerbal Space Agency
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final integration testing continues today for the Mk1-A for Simon & crew while Wernher & Cheranne inspect a new shipment from KerBalloons
Kerbal Space Agency
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it's looking like our first launch from KSC won't be a rocket. To test Progenitor payload instruments we've partnered up with KerBalloons
Kerbal Space Agency
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Wernher & Cheranne have 2 payload instruments to test, don't want to wait for Progeny Mk2. More details here: bit.ly/KerBalloonPR
Kerbal Space Agency
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VAB super busy today getting the 2nd Mk1-A fully assembled & rdy for testing while also getting started with working on the KerBalloon probe
Kerbal Space Agency
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Drew & Mortimer are busy reviewing several new contracts that have come in from various agencies looking to help us advance space & air tech
Kerbal Space Agency
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KerBalloon probe will use several existing parts from the Progeny Mk1 rockets - hopefully we can re-use them after!
Kerbal Space Agency
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everything except the batteries can be re-used if recovered intact. The batteries we'll have to order more of now. They are not rechargeable
Kerbal Space Agency
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that photo was taken earlier today, probe is already assembled and undergoing integration testing. Progeny Mk1-A assembly going well also
Kerbal Space Agency
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VAB workers had to put in a little OT but are on sched. Balloon will launch early tomorrow, Progeny Mk1-As still looking good for Thurs
Kerbal Space Agency
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excellent weather today, jet stream well to the north, wind currently out of the east & light enough for launching our first balloon probe
Kerbal Space Agency
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work crews are getting rdy to setup the probe outside the VAB - no sense lugging it all the way to the rocket launch site. It weighs 135kg
Kerbal Space Agency
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signals from the KerBalloon probe today will be received directly by launch control, as tracking station is still undergoing final checkouts
Kerbal Space Agency
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2nd sunrise on its way as the KerBalloon probe sits out on the lawn in front of the VAB, rdy for the cmd to inflate
Kerbal Space Agency
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astronauts are taking their morning cardio workout up the VAB interior scaffolding to the roof so they can watch the launch in 15 min
Kerbal Space Agency
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Flight Director Lanalye is using this "soft launch" as a test for her team & procedures prior to the "hard launch" of Progeny Mk1-A tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
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we have a Go from weather, a Go from the ground crew. Probe is off local power and flight team says they are Go as well. Inflation in 2 min!
Kerbal Space Agency
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ballast lid has blown off, compressed gas now being released into the envelope, should take about a minute to reach lift off expansion
Kerbal Space Agency
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good launch! Payload is aloft & rising steadily at 5m/s. It will take about an hour for it to reach ~16.5km and land back on the ground
Kerbal Space Agency
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payload is at 5km - we will run experiments at 10km & 15km. Here it is just after launch from our crew atop the VAB
Kerbal Space Agency
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payload has reached 10km and we've sent the cmd to run its aeronomy sensor package. EC nearing 50%, plenty left - it will come down quick!
Kerbal Space Agency
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15km & the meteorological experiment has been commanded to execute. Balloon is now > 3x the size it was on liftoff due to lower atmo press
Kerbal Space Agency
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POP! Vertical speed has gone negative. Low external press has caused envelope to expand past flexible limits. Payload plummeting back down
Kerbal Space Agency
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the journey down was unsurprisingly quicker - controllers just now popped the chute at 1.5km, will expand fully at 500m, landing at ~4m/s
Kerbal Space Agency
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recovery team has already been dispatched to hunt down the payload, which will ping its location for another 14m, long enough to triangulate
Kerbal Space Agency
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we won't know more until the payload is returned with its onboard data (hopefully) fully intact later this afternoon, but all signs nominal
Kerbal Space Agency
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recovery crews report they have reached the payload, 45km SSW from KSC. It's intact! Returning now from bit.ly/KBLandingSite
Kerbal Space Agency
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KerBalloon test payload is now in the R&D labs. Expecting a full report on Friday. Photo from the recovery location
Kerbal Space Agency
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flight path of the KerBalloon probe. Hit some diff wind layers. Last straight line is from body lift during descent
Kerbal Space Agency
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science data from the KerBalloon probe has been fully analyzed and both instruments performed as designed. Will be rocket payloads someday
Kerbal Space Agency
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happy to formally declare our new KerBalloon order. More details on first test flight as well included in bit.ly/KerBalloonPR2
Kerbal Space Agency
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included in last link is confirmation of altitude record payload reached. Keep track of such things over at bit.ly/KSARecords
