The first failure of the Mk5, however it is not immediately apparent whether the main cause of the RUD is due to the design of the rocket or conditions present on the day of the launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Admin Bldg meeting room filling up again - time to reveal everything we currently have on the Progeny Mk5, our first automated rocket!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
1st Mk5 will not be automated, but scripts will be in place to monitor flight & simulate actions. 5th flight should be fully automated
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
correction: by 3rd flight rocket should be fully automated. 5th flight should see final version of initial flight control software
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mk5 boosters have arrived & VAB can now begin building the 1st 2 rockets to launch in Sept, rest will follow once work progresses on 1 & 2
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
boosters are all built to same specs, we will mostly be playing around with coast times & 3rd stage throttle during the various Mk5 ascents
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the first Progeny Mk5 is ready for launch! That & more via bit.ly/OpsSummary9-4-… - relax this weekend, all - next week be crazy! 🚀🚀!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
nearing the start of preflight, VAB is still busy with final integration of Progeny MK5 #2 while #3, #4 & #5 all continue to be assembled
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lead Scientist Cheranne & her team have locked down the payload instruments for bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-4 & bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-5
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
routine launch readiness all across campus, no major issues thus far. VAB remains busy busy working on Mk5s #3, #4 & #5, still plenty to do!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB is already hard at work finalizing Mk5 #3 for rollout tomorrow while #4 & #5 assembly continues to progress ahead of launch next week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
this has been an amazing crazy week. Be sure to check out bit.ly/OpsSummary9-11… so you don't miss anything! Next week be crazier->!!🚀🚀🚀!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
overall ascent will follow same procedures as prev ones, but 3rd stage boost will push at a TWR of 3 instead of 2 to see how higher we get
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
this launch, everything will be automated except the 3rd stage throttle. We will see how code test performs before allowing it on 4th launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
payload science code will also be run for 1st time, but this is not flight-critical code so if anything fails we just try again next time
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] Wx GO for final count, scattered clouds will not impede visual monitoring, upper-level clouds are sparse to none. Winds however...
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we'll be monitoring winds up to L-0, still 6-8kts but gusts have ceased. We can't have winds >5kts out of the east for first 3-5s of flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mk5 launch raises nose to within 1° of vertical, any wind >5kts will push it over and it will ascend west over KSC instead of out to sea
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mk5 #4 has cleared final integration checks, #5 will complete its payload integration today for final stacking tomorrow. Sched getting tight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
booster ignition & liftoff of the 3rd Progeny Mk5 making for space & our highest Mk5 apokee yet! Flight reports nominal ascent off pad
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+2m] MECO & we are headed up to an apokee of 104km. Controllers are completely hands-off now, just monitoring rdy to jump in if needed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
that's a successful recovery! Payload landed just 31km downrange & we'll find out why when engineers review TDU. Expecting report late today
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
workers already back on the launch pad cleaning up & resetting for Mk5 #4 rollout, readied earlier today. Turnaround will be tight for tmrw
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have the Mk5 payload & will be performing analysis late into today to ensure we can make any changes for tomorrow's launch. Crunch time!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mk5 #4 is out on the pad. Launch Ctrl & Tracking Stn will wrap up their launch readiness reviews prior to Deuce test flt after 4th sunrise
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have a short video of the Mk5 "standing up" when coming off the launch base, which is why E winds are a hazard youtube.com/watch?v=p6N0Lc…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've completed all launch readiness preps possible until today's flight review is complete, will do rest tomorrow before a 4hr launch ops
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have completed the analysis of today's launch. Details of the flight & plans for tomorrow can be found here: bit.ly/ProgenitorPR15
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
🌅Sunrise/Sunset🌄
@ KSC (UTC-4)
9/20
#2🌅07:03:54 🌄10:27:55
#3🌅13:04:45 !!🚀!! 🌄16:28:46
#4🌅19:05:36 🌄22:29:37
9/21
#1🌅01:06:27 🌄04:30:28
@ KSC (UTC-4)
9/20
#2🌅07:03:54 🌄10:27:55
#3🌅13:04:45 !!🚀!! 🌄16:28:46
#4🌅19:05:36 🌄22:29:37
9/21
#1🌅01:06:27 🌄04:30:28
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
KSC is bustling already, as we finish up the last of our launch readiness reviews before being cleared into pre-launch ops @ 13:49 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
weather outside this day cycle is looking great, no trace of the clouds & rain that came thru late yesterday. Here's hoping conditions hold
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-4h] launch readiness reviews were all completed & signed off on earlier this hour - cutting it close! We are cleared into pre-launch ops
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tune in to bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-4 for updates after fueling, final count, terminal count & liftoff. Also any launch hold updates
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h40m] launch team is assembling. This flight will be the first to run completely automated from T-2min & follow the normal ascent path
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
once the 3rd stage ignites, it will maintain a TWR of 3 until it sees dynamic pressure decreasing, at which point it will throttle up to max
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
just becuase this flight is automated doesn't mean controllers get to relax! Must monitor to ensure code running properly, jump in if needed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h10m] we are GO for preflight, high clouds have started to move in from the west but no storms reported in the area. Rocket waking up
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h55m] we have the rocket initialized & launch control systems are online ready for fueling ops to begin out on the launch pad
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
while we get the rocket fueled up you can check out the code changes made for this flight over at bit.ly/AFCS_Changes
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h40m] wrapping up fueling we have added 109kg of mass to the rocket, now 1.841t, a new bit.ly/KSARecords (will update post launch)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all viewing locations are open again, are currently lit. These areas all provide quick sheltering in the event of RUD so please stay within
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h55m] fuel levels holding, pad cleaned up & now clearing for engine checks. A small quick-response team shelters in the nearby bunker
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h30m] all 3 engines nominal, wrapping up remaining preflight tasks while MSV Tongjess has reported in ready to monitor the eastern range
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h] MSV Lymun has already reported in for recovery operations readiness. We have moved her closer to shore, just 50km downrange now
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-45m] all range assets in place, final code loaded for terminal count, no issues posted - time now to conduct a full launch rehearsal
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] we are GO for final countdown sequence. Winds out of the WNW pose no problems, clouds are scattered & could be a potential issue
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-20m] final check-in for MSV Lymun & they are ready, report sea conditions remain well within safety margins for recovery operations
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-15m] eastern range is now closed, rocket & FTS are ARMED. Tongjess reports no radar contacts, RSO reports pad is clear. Count continues
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
final test of our two payload instruments returned nominal results, running them on the pad & checking that results are as expected
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-5m] Final polling: Wx GO, Range GO, Flight GO, Tracking GO, Launch clearance granted! 🚀GO PROGENY!🚀 Standing ready for terminal count
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-2m] AFCS has taken over control for these final minutes, controllers monitoring closely what it is doing to ensure proper execution
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-1m] now is the time to head over to bit.ly/ProgenyMk5-4 if you haven't already to catch real-time updates throughout the flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
liftoff!! Skies are again just barely within limits for launch. 1st stage booster pushing the rocket off the pad at 4Gs for initial ascent
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L+1m] 2nd stage decouple proper this time, rocket had a good coast to 3rd stage burn but throttle went to max immediately upon ignition
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've suffered an inflight anomaly. Signal loss occurred at L+1m4s & visual tracking reported an explosion and break up of the rocket
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are not speculating on any reasons, launch ctrl currently working through ascent failure procedures to collect all the data for review
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
range assets are standing down, pad crew is out for post-launch inspection & Progenitor team will assemble for flight review later today
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
while the Progenitor team gets back to work solving yesterday's break-up, Mortimer begins filling out purchase orders for replacement parts
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
assuming launch readiness checks complete w/o issue today we are GO for launch tomorrow! Final anomaly report: bit.ly/ProgenitorPR16
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Deuce crash prelim report, Mk5 flight overview for this week's bit.ly/OpsSummary9-18… - everyone relax this weekend you all earned it!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny Mk5 report is out covering what we've learned in comparison to the Mk4 & plans for program moving forward: bit.ly/Progenitor-PR2
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
biggest non-technical mumbo-jumbo takeaway: the new more powerful Mk5 Block I, with the even bigger Block II set to be finalized next week!!
