Exploring the hazardous radiation zone to the north of the equator opposite a previous flight, although it completed its primary objective the rocket failed to be recovered due to an operational oversight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
flight analysis from the last launch is up, including future launch plans for the Mk6, with another Block I launch at the end of this month and then two Block II launches in June between Ascension Mk1 launches in June/July kerbalspace.agency/?p=7230
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB remains busy as new parts arrive for the next Progeny launches. The first Ascension Mk1 has its stabilizers attached with control surfaces set to go on these next few days. Test weight on sched to arrive next week for integration
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lead Engineer Simon reports all the parts have now been delivered for the next Progeny Mk6 Block I, which began construction in the VAB late last week. Block II parts have also been arriving and assembly begun on the two rockets set to fly in June
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/ProgenitorProg… has secured a contract for next week's launch since it will be carrying a negative gravioli instrument regardless so it weighs the same and will fly close to its mirror launch to the south
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB today will finish vertically stacking the Progeny Mk6 Block I rocket for next week's launch, inspect the integrity of all load-bearing structures then lay it out horizontal so it can undergo final checkouts tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
final checkouts of the Progeny Mk6-I for next week have concluded without issue. Launch base can't use the pad with the nearly-complete Ascension service tower in the way of a northward launch so it is back out in the north field where we used to launch Mk2 rockets eastward
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/OpSummary5-21-… will get you caught up on anything you may have missed this week, as well as providing additional information. Everyone enjoy the weekend - launch next week!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Sheltered Rock and Ockr comm substations report they are ready to receive and relay to us telemetry data. This will serve as a test for the upcoming Ascension Mk1 flight that will follow a similar trajectory
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
off the normal route, tomorrow's launch vehicle heads out past Launch Control, across the runway and out to the north field to be mounted to the launch base. There's no road on the turf, so it takes almost half an hour to cover the ~2km
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket was mounted without hassle, however we're still experiencing problems with the hardline connections for communications and power running out that distance. Launch has been delayed to 19:50 UTC so crews can work the issues some more early tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
🌅Sunrise/Sunset🌄
@ KSC (UTC-4)
5/29
#2🌅09:03:59 🌄12:30:40
#3🌅15:04:50 !?🚀?! 🌄18:31:31
#4🌅21:05:41
5/30
#1🌄00:32:22 🌅03:06:32
#2🌄06:33:13
@ KSC (UTC-4)
5/29
#2🌅09:03:59 🌄12:30:40
#3🌅15:04:50 !?🚀?! 🌄18:31:31
#4🌅21:05:41
5/30
#1🌄00:32:22 🌅03:06:32
#2🌄06:33:13
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ground crews are already at work troubleshooting the cable issues. The amount of power being delivered to the launch base is lower than expected, and data sent along the cables is not being read properly by computers at Launch Control
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
cabling issues have been resolved, Flight Director Lanalye confirms they have a good link to the rocket and Ops Director @dkerman_ksa has given the GO for things to get in motion for pre-launch ops to begin at 15:40 UTC, still targeting a lift off time of 19:50 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-4h10m] the usual timeline of major events kicks off for today's launch ops. Weather this past day cycle was favorable, here's hoping it holds. Regional reports via airship & maritime vessels will give is a better idea of what conditions may be coming our way later today
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h40m] Launch team briefing getting underway. Flight profile is unchanged because we want to fly a trajectory as close as possible to the one that launched 90° from this heading southward to see if the radiation readings match or deviate from that mission
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h10m] we are GO for preflight operations, waking up the rocket to onload the final version of the flight code, which is identical to the previous flight except for the launch timecode change. bit.ly/AFCS_KSA
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h55m] rocket is woke, power cables keeping it off batteries and data flow is clean. Systems are configured for fueling operations, FD Lanalye has given the GO for pad crew to begin hooking up the trucks and onloading 109kg of propellants to the third stage
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h40m] fueling ops have wrapped, pad cleanup underway while further system checks that were on hold during fueling are conducted in Launch Control. Tank levels will be monitored to ensure no leaks in the system, power levels remain nominal
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
you'd have quite a ways to run if you want to try and disturb this launch (~1.5km), but no doubt everyone in the spectator areas have noticed the new security measures now in place. Let's have a safe launch today everyone!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h55m] issues board remains clear as preflight ops advance to booster engine and ignition system checks. Pad crew clearing to 300m safe distance. No bunker nearby for quick-response team means any sign of fire and the rocket will just have to be left to blow/burn up
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
launch craft from MSV Tongjess has arrived onshore to pickup the balloon team, which needs to release from the south while Tongjess heads north for range duties
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h30m] MSV Tongjess has reported on station for the Range Safety Officer to begin assessing our launch corridor. Preflight operations have concluded with a healthy and primed rocket. No issues being worked
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h20m] high-altitude balloon has been released, launch craft is only big enough for a single balloon so the crew is heading back to pick up another one in case we need to hold and require updated upper-atmosphere wind information
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tongjess has picked up a Civvie on radar approaching from Kravass but it was expected, the pilot filed the flight plan with us last week. She's contacted Tongjess and will be given regular vectors to stay clear of the ascent corridor. Happy viewings!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-45m] launch rehearsal is getting underway to ensure all systems are properly initialized and controllers are clear in their duties. Final runtime check of flight software will confirm rocket is ready to go
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] final countdown is GO! Rather strong surface winds out of the SE are of concern, weather kerbs expect gusts to develop after sunrise starts to heat things up but unsure as to how severe. They'll be keeping tabs on it
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-15m] Tongjess reports range is clear, aircraft remains in contact and on assigned vector. RSO has the GO from FD Lanalye to arm the rocket and Flight Termination System. Pad is cleared and secured
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-5m] Final readiness polls complete: Wx: GO; Range: GO; Flight: GO; Tracking: GO; Ops Director: Launch permission granted! 🚀 GO PROGENY 🚀 FTS transitioning to internal power, surface winds still a concern but remain within limits
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-2m] rocket is moving to internal power and RF comms as hardlines are pulled and the AFCS takes control of the launch sequence from here on out during the terminal countdown phase. All systems remain nominal!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-1m] primary station status poll coming up at T-30s. If you haven't yet, tune into the Ops Tracker to see real time updates for planned staging events during ascent ops.kerbalspace.agency
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have booster ignition and the rocket has cleared the launch base on its ascent to explore space far north of the equator! Initial boost phase will end at L+35s, pitch nominal and spin-up has begun to stabilize the rocket (Minmus is hiding in the clouds)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're seeing a slightly shallower trajectory than planned but within acceptable range. Stage seps were clean, final boost phase underway. Momentary telemetry loss due to heating on ascent, but overall flight remains nominal
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
back in space, despite some deviations in the ascent apokee is just 2km lower than the third flight we are looking to mirror so pleased launch controllers all around. Launch site cleanup underway as we monitor the climb to 481km
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
both Sheltered Rock and Ockr have confirmed with us they have acquisition of telemetry signal. For the first time in a long time we will be able to follow the rocket all the way through to landing - no waiting to find out what happens!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
just about to pass through apokee and so far radiation readings have remained at 0.01rad/hr, the normal exposure for space near Kerbin. Still a possibility of passing through a hazardous radiation region on the way down
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
under a minute from the atmosphere, rocket is already 369km downrange - this is a potential issue as it is almost 100km further than we anticipated and will bring it down over mountainous terrain around Sheltered Rock, which means less time to slow down before chute deploy
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
no rad/hr increase, atmospheric interface reached at L+18m50s, rocket is coming down over terrain as high as 1km which isn't as bad as we feared but still enough to worry about. Expecting loss of signal shortly as re-entry plasma blocks radio waves
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we got word from the rocket the chute was deployed, however this occurred at 1.8km ASL, which unfortunately was around 350m AGL. It would appear that an oversight in altitude monitoring has cost us this rocket. Signal lost milliseconds later due to terrain (too soon for crash)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
last known location of the rocket was passed to the airship on standby at Sheltered Rock, which will depart to the location ~50km to the north to see what remains. Rocket traveled a whopping 433km downrange!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the small crater has been found. Rocket would have impacted at several hundred meters per second so there's nothing salvageable, but we had to make sure. Although primary mission goals were achieved to call this a success, lack of recovery still casts a pall over everything
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
in addition to telemetry analysis (docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…), we'll be spending today assessing whether parts lost during yesterday's mission will affect next month's Block II launches as well as fixing the recovery routines in the AFCS to account for landing over high terrain
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the problem with ballistic rockets - you can point them in the right direction but being exact about it is still tough. Just two degrees off led the rocket astray and past our intended landing zone in the lower Grasslands
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
thankfully the loss of the recent Progeny MK6 Block I will not affect June's Block II launches (which remain undated until after the first Ascension Mk1 flight). Full flight report and analysis is now available: kerbalspace.agency/?p=7372
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
let's wrap up this week with bit.ly/OpSummary5-28-… - learn more about our new recruits and why female flight instructor Helta turned down our request to join the Agency
