Looking for more efficiency and less brute force for our initial ascent, a newly-designed core will produce high thrust for the first 5 seconds then taper off – at least it should. We static fire it to see if it performs as designed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Umbra Space Industries has been making good progress on simulations for the new 0.625m SRB core design, aiming for a thrust profile near to this graph
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
USI has locked in their new core design and will begin to manufacture the test booster for us to static fire late next week, currently aiming for Thursday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny Mk5-I test booster has been packaged up & loaded, will depart Umbra Space Industries HQ in Sheltered Rock & arrive tomorrow for us to get ready for testing on Thursday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
our new booster has arrived! VAB crews are jumping on the task of getting it unpacked and ready for tomorrow's test - it needs to be hooked up to the VAB test clamps, receive power & send/receive data signals. Test clamps also being installed on the launch pad
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
crews have the test clamps installed out on the pad, a similar setup is in the VAB for initial readiness checkouts, which Lead Engineer Simon reports are currently underway & proceeding nominally
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Simon reports that the Mk5-I booster checks out. We will mount it on the pad tomorrow at 2nd sunrise and hold the static fire test @ 17:30 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
procession of crew vehicle, carry truck & mounting vehicle are making their way to the launchpad to setup for today's booster test while Duna, Neidon, Sarnus, Urlum and Moho all cluster near the brightening horizon. Crescent Minmus is barely visible towards the top of the image
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
booster is hooked up to the test clamps, controllers are on console making sure all hookups are good and the control unit integrated with the booster for this test is booted up and operating nominally. Still on schedule for 17:30 UTC firing
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
20 minutes to ignition, all systems look good from Mission Control so the pad is being evacuated with a quick response team sheltering in the bunker
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
10 minutes to ignition, Range Safety Officer has ensured pad and surrounding area is clear of unsheltered personnel and closed the test range. Ignition pyros are ARMED
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ignition in 5 minutes, final checks of RF comms underway along with backup hardline, monitoring equipment standing by, engine controller is running
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have had successful ignition, good run and burn out just shy of 31 seconds. Bunker crew will go out to inspect the booster shortly to clear the rest of the crew back in to begin dismounting operations
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
booster has been unmounted, clamps are being removed and data from the test is being sent off to USI for full analysis although initial reports from engineers here say the results were good
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
USI has reviewed the data from yesterdays booster test and they agree with Progenitor team that everything is looking good. Thrust falloff is less linear than intended but the important thing is peak thrust will be enough to leave the pad without tipping over
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
now that we know booster is good for launch, date has been locked in for 12/14 @ 17:30 UTC for our next Progeny Mk5 Block I launch attempt! 🚀 bit.ly/ProgenyMk5B1-3
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we apologize again for failing to register our shortlink prior to publishing, causing a web bot to note the dead link & create one to a spam site :/ Horrible scammers out there. Catch up on this week's activities w/additional insight here: kerbalspace.agency/?p=6168
