The debut of our new, more powerful Mk5 rocket was marred by weather and a launch anomaly that led to only part of the rocket leaving the launch pad, impacting the water 8km downrange with a total loss of the payload
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!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/ProgenitorProg… has all the details on its 1st Mk5 contracts & scheduled launches for 10/13 & 10/20 with a Mk5 & Mk5 Block I rockets
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the first flight of the Mk5 Block I will be on 10/20 as we need more time to order the new boosters to spec from USI, which takes a week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
quiet end to the week, but exciting stuff announced during it so get caught up via bit.ly/OpsSummary10-2… & have a great weekend!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lead Scientist Cheranne is overseeing completion of preparations for the Mk5 payload instruments to be delivered to the VAB for integration
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
these next 2 Mk5 flights will each include an instrument that was lost w/the 4th Mk5 launch so we can get another shot @ gathering that data
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
LIFTOFF! 1st stage booster has ignited sending the Mk5 roaring off the pad @ 4Gs toward space! Shorter coast times will make events go quick
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are back in space once again, coasting to an apokee of 107km. Science team is keeping careful watch on payload instruments, now active
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ok *now* we can celebrate! Lymun recovery crew just pulled payload from the water. Mission success! Bring that sweet science on home! \[0o]/
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progenitor engineers will analyze telemetry data early next week & decide how we want to send up the Block I at the end of the week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
as soon as the Mk5 was out of the VAB early today workers began the assembly of our first Mk5 Block I. Final parts arrive @ start of next wk
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
post-launch ops complete & we are all wrapped up for this week of operations. Get all the details here: bit.ly/OpsSummary10-9…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
report on last week's Mk5 launch is up & we have plans in place for this week's 1st flight of the Block I: bit.ly/Progenitor-PR4
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tl;dr: first 4 Block I launches should lock in an optimal ascent profile for the rocket by the end of the year based on analyzed Mk5/4 data
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
science team finalizing payload instruments for delivery to the VAB 2day while workers there get all stages of the rocket stacked vertically
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Flight Director Lanalye is drilling the Progenitor launch team today for the Block I launch & also working in the Civvie aerial footage
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lanalye is happy with the new launch operations schedule and Jeb has a GO - we look forward to seeing a launch from a new angle on Friday!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
L-2 days to launch of bit.ly/ProgenyMk5b1-1, the first Mk5 Block I! Get hype! Much excite! Who plans to be around to watch live on Friday?
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
stacking went well yesterday & today VAB is laying the rocket horizontal for final integration, which includes installation of the payload
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
launch readiness checks are underway across the KSC campus in order to ensure everything is in place to properly support tomorrow's mission
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mk5 rocket final integration going well so far, crew on break for lunch. Will close up the payload & run final overall checks this afternoon
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are GO FOR LAUNCH tomorrow! Everyone has checked in & Ops Dir Drew confirms all is ready here @ KSC. Prelaunch ops will begin @ 14:00 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
thread. Our Operations Director shares some candid thoughts on tomorrow's launch - will the rocket hold together? Only 1 way to find out... twitter.com/DKerman_KSA/st…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all the astronauts are back & rdy to lend support to tomorrow's launch:
Bob & Bill - balloon release
Jeb - aerial footage
Val - recovery ops
Bob & Bill - balloon release
Jeb - aerial footage
Val - recovery ops
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
🌅Sunrise/Sunset🌄
@ KSC (UTC-4)
10/20
#2🌅08:34:17 🌄12:24:47
#3🌅14:35:08 !!🚀!! 🌄18:25:38
#4🌅20:35:59
10/21
#1🌄00:26:29 🌅02:36:50
#2🌄06:27:20
@ KSC (UTC-4)
10/20
#2🌅08:34:17 🌄12:24:47
#3🌅14:35:08 !!🚀!! 🌄18:25:38
#4🌅20:35:59
10/21
#1🌄00:26:29 🌅02:36:50
#2🌄06:27:20
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good day, space tweeps! Who's ready for a rocket launch? KSC already starting to come alive to prep for pre-launch ops to begin @ 14:00 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
today's early start is due mainly to some mandatory safety training all launch crew will undergo as it's been 6 months since our last review
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
1.5hrs of safety drills complete: sheltering, evacuation, fueling, fire extinguishing & pad incursion all covered. Pre-launch ops next
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-5h20] rocket is on its way to the launch pad. Here is our launch ops schedule for today, note the new additions for Civvie integration
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Bob & Bill are giving their two KerBalloons a final inspection. Each carries a USI weather instrument to help us monitor upper-level winds
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket is secured to the launch base, still about an hour left of mounting ops tho to get it connected to umbilicals & prepped for fueling
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-4h] beginning to gather Wx data from Umbarg, Kravass & numerous airships/MSVs that have been plying the region over the past few hours
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
currently over KSC we are experiencing partly-cloudy skies w/ winds out of the north - which is a bit iffy but doable if it comes down to it
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h40m] team assembled in Launch Ctrl for flight briefing. You can see details for our ascent today in this report kerbalspace.agency/?p=5725#ascent
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the new 1st stage SRB will burn over 2x longer than normal, for 20s. The 2nd stage booster will burn longer as well, for 10s instead of 7s
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the longer-burning 1st stage booster is significant as the 2nd & 3rd boosters will have greater thrust at the higher altitude they start in
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
of course, we are interested to see how the rocket holds up under increased pressure from the longer boost. Doubt we'll break the record tho
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h10m] GO for preflight! Cloud cover has increased & we are concerned about a storm reported out to sea. Pic a few mins ago before sunset
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket is powered up & instructions are being onloaded. You can check out what's new in our ops & AFCS code via: bit.ly/AFCS_Changes
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all instructions have been accepted by the rocket & system checks are underway prior to clearing crews on the pad to begin fueling the tanks
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h55m] rocket sys nominal, valves open & crews have a GO from FD Lanalye to begin loading 109kg of liquid fuels into the 3rd stage tanks
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h55m] fueling ops wrapping up, the rocket now weighs 1.713t, which is lighter than older Mk5s thanks to new fins massing 0.5x as much
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
pad is cleaned up, fuel trucks have departed & we're in a wait period while fuel levels are monitored to ensure no leaks in tanks or lines
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h55m] no leaks or other issues reported, pad evacuation underway so we can move into system & ignition checks for all three boosters
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
winds still out of the north, so Bob will be taking our recovery boat a few kilometers out into the bay for release of the weather balloon
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
meanwhile Jeb is suiting up in the ready room of the Astronaut Complex & will be reporting to Lanch Ctrl shortly for his final briefing
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h30m] range monitoring duties have fallen to MSV Lymun for this launch; it is now stationed 14km offshore & getting set up w/our RSO
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h20m] we have release & AOS of the high-altitude KerBalloon, set to drift thru our launch corridor as it enters the upper atmo @ 18km+
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the weather monitoring package the balloon carries will keep us informed of wind conditions aloft, including hazardous vertical wind shear
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
almost time to get firmly situated if you want a good spot to view the launch outside, big crowds of friends & family on Friday launches
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h] Val says hello from today's recovery ship MSV Tongjess, 180km downrange. she's replacing a recovery crew member on a medical leave
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're basing recovery estimates on the Mk4, which had an ascent profile similar to the one we are flying today & traveled as far as 135km
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-55m] Jeb is briefed, has performed his exterior inspection & is climbing aboard Civvie #3 on schedule to preflight the aircraft
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-45m] all launch assets report ready for rehearsal to ensure everyone is clear on their tasks & responsibilities during the actual launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] rehearsal complete, no issues reported but weather has put a HOLD on the countdown due to cloud coverage currently being above 80%
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[HOLD] the storm is staying out to sea but its outer bands of clouds are sweeping over us. We will have weather updates every 20min
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[HOLD] Wx remains red, surface winds are increasing up to 20kts & crews are moving back in to put some extra tie downs on the rocket base
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
winds have shifted out of the NNE, but thx to lower launch angle the Mk5 is now less susceptible to easterly winds tipping it over westward
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
high winds have roughed up the bay waters enough Bob & crew have had to put ashore. MSV Lymun has recovered the balloon released earlier
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[HOLD] Wx remains red. No rain still tho MSV Lymun reports that rain has started. Tongjess downrange is out of the weather in moderate seas
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[HOLD] Wx remains red. Conditions are not deteriorating but neither are they improving. Our daytime window closes @ 17:25 UTC, 1hr to sunset
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[HOLD] Wx remains red, rocket remains in good condition & all assets remain ready although Civvie also had to be tied down against the wind
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[HOLD] Wx remains red, still dry but if no improvements are seen in the next 20min we will scrub for this day cycle & try again 4th sunrise
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
launch has been scrubbed. New L-0 time is 01:21 UTC and hopefully the weather will be better then. We will resume the count at L-1h30min
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket has been reconfigured after launch team sent over this set of instructions. Very nice to no longer have to do a full system reboot!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all launch assets have completed scrub procedures & are now standing by. We will have a weather report for next launch attempt @ 23:51 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
catch up on the events of this past week via bit.ly/OpsSummary10-1… - we will update it later with details of the Mk5 launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h30m] winds have died down & shifted from the SE, looks like the storm is moving off. MSV Lymun is reporting better conditions also
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
with the wind shift Bob has returned to KSC & he's already headed out w/Bill & crew in 2 UTVs SE of KSC to release the 2nd weather balloon
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h20m] balloon release reported, Tracking Stn will pickup signal w/in a min. Jeb is helping ground crews get the Civve untied & inspected
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h] we can still hear MSV Tongjess, Val says they have traveled around & found good sea conditions for recovery operations in the region
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-55m] Jeb is back aboard the Civvie and starting to run through his preflight checklist. Launch Ctrl has all members back on console
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-45m] another launch rehearsal underway, this time mainly to confirm that all systems have been properly recycled after the earlier scrub
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] rehearsal complete, no issues, all systems nominal. Wx is GO for final countdown & Jeb is taxiing out to Rwy27 to hold for takeoff
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-20m] Tongjess reports recovery craft has been inspected & is rdy for its duties. Sun is up, skies are mostly clear & surface winds calm
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
winds aloft, including upper-level winds, continue to remain in the green & will be monitored by ascending balloon, now reaching upper atmo
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-15m] Range Safety Officer reports MSV Lymun finds eastern range to be clear, rocket boosters are now ARMED & manual FTS activated
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-10m] Jeb has takeoff clearance to depart & setup for his flyby, passing 2.5km west of KSC @ 1km ASL to capture the launch from wing cam
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
should Jeb arrive late on target, FD Lanalye has authorized him to bank straight towards the pad so nose cam can pickup the launch instead
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
camera feeds test from Civvie good. Jeb can't see them, but controllers will direct him as rocket ascends to hold visual as long as possible
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-5m] final poll - Wx: GO, Range: GO, Flight: GO, Tracking: GO, Civvie: GO, Ops Director: Launch permission granted! 🚀GO PROGENY🚀
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-2m] terminal count begun, rocket switching to internal power, EC drain monitored, RF comms active, AFCS now has full ctrl of the rocket
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-1m] for live updates of planned events during the launch head over to the Flight Tracker now! bit.ly/ProgenyMk5B1-1
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are assessing a launch anomaly - still not entirely sure what just happened but the rocket ascended on 2nd stage booster then splashed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bunker crew keeping an eye on 1st stage booster still on the pad - say no smoke or evidence of mis-fire. Will wait 15min before approaching
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
MSV Lymun is getting underway to head for the area ~8km downrange where the rocket hit the water to search for anything remaining on surface
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Jeb has landed, unfortunately he did not time his pass well & when he went to turn to bring nose cam around he had already flown past pad
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
1st stage booster remains inert, crew approaching for inspection. Flight team still reviewing logs, code & video to determine what happened
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
MSV Lymun has searched & reports no sign of the rocket which means it either completely broke apart hitting the water or ruptured & sank :/
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
post-launch operations will be carried out & a full investigation will be conducted this wknd. Will have brief Weekly Ops Review update soon
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a brief update to our bit.ly/OpsSummary10-1…, including Desk Notes. We will have more information released over this weekend
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
first stage booster is undergoing inspection in the VAB to determine if it was a bad ignitor or a mis-fire that caused it to fail yesterday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've already found the embarrassing code oversight that caused the rest of the launch mishap, so a report later this afternoon is expected
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
report on yesterday's launch failure is posted: bit.ly/ProgenitorPR17
and here's the video that goes with it: youtube.com/watch?v=TTrfze…
and here's the video that goes with it: youtube.com/watch?v=TTrfze…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tl;dr - new ignitor needed, not new booster. Code flaws patched. Unsure if Tiberdyne wants a relaunch. 2nd Block I launch confirmed on sched
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
no luck finding any remains of last week's Block I stage 3 on the sea floor. Lots of clutter down there, pieces most likely too small
