Specialist
Bill & crew head 97km north with 3 days of supplies to await good weather for launching a payload at Area CQ-49 to gather temperature data for Experimental Engineering Group
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Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/KerBalloonProg⦠have contracts for both low & high altitude missions this week, with planning & prepping underway today & tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
looking to depart 1hr ago, one of the UTVs decided to not start & Bill had to help fix it. Bob staying @ KSC to remain avail for Fri mission
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we can already see overcast skies off to the north, but as usual w/3rd UTV supplies are packed that will last them the rest of the week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
UTVs are pressing on through the nite as this area has been traversed before & they know not to expect any troublesome terrain along route
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
relayed thru airship, UTVs report they have arrived at bit.ly/Area_CQ-49 & it's pitch black, completely overcast skies still
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's not raining & Bill says air smells dry so they are setting up the balloon & will standby ready to release while monitoring the weather
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KB team scrubbing for this day cycle, packing up the balloon & pitching the tents to settle in. Will try again with 3rd sunrise later today
Kerbal Space Agency
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rain has started up north, KB team prepping to pack up & move out if weather turns severe but so far just rain w/light winds, no thunder
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rain continues, KB team hunkering down til tomorrow. Airship moving off station as winds picking up, but still within emergency beacon range
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
skies remain overcast over KB launch site although rain has passed so the hope is skies will clear later this day cycle or for the next one
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
weather is great here but just 90km north KB team says they are still unable to launch due to excess cloud cover. Will retry 2nd sunrise
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
once again KB team gearing up to launch readiness so they can release the balloon at first sign of decent skies after the sun is fully up
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
standing down again, KB team reports clouds remain scattered & are continuing to hold out for clearer skies while they still have supplies
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
sun up @ bit.ly/Area_CQ-49 & report is clouds are much less abundant now. A nice clear patch of sky is seen approaching, stand by...
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
balloon has been released, UTVs will track as it ascends towards 24.9km, tracking dish atop the VAB is oriented & rdy to receive tlm data
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
at 5.5km the balloon has cleared the horizon, all telemetry data nominal. 2 UTVs on the move - 3rd stayed behind with engine trouble again
Kerbal Space Agency
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entering the upper atmosphere @ 18km balloon still looks good, traveling NNW towards foothills of Mt Kermon but team has their climbing gear
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
envelope failure at 23.8km, shift in upper-level winds has carried payload back towards gentler terrain. UTVs in position to recover
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good recovery reported, UTVs packing up & heading back to launch site - 3rd UTV is dead, rain did it in? Will be towed back to KSC tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KB team already hooked the disabled UTV up yesterday & are already on the move, taking it nice & slow back to KSC over this entire day cycle
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
traverse was without issue & all 3 UTVs are back. Launch photo! Bill is looking forward to digging into the broken UTV over the weekend
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
so long, August! Another productive week here at the KSA, catch up on all the happenings + add'l details via bit.ly/OpsSummary8-28β¦
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Bill didn't even bother figuring out what was wrong w/UTV engine - he just rebuilt the whole thing, said he needed a weekend project anyways









