The debut flight of the powerful Block II version of the Mk6 sets out to see if its design proves capable of reaching space and possibly exploring a new region if it can pass through the hazardous radiation found above the planet
As the first mission of a new vehicle, this dispatch includes all the design and development leading up to launch. To skip to the launch, click here.
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progenitor introduces the Progeny Mk5 Block II, our most powerful & capable rocket to date! Get all the info here: bit.ly/Progenitor-PR3
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tl;dr this rocket should be able to take payloads past Low-Kerbin Orbit (LKO), >250km. How far? We look forward to finding out on 11/15!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we just realized our Mk5 Block II instagram post caption included a typo: "sun-orbital" - it's not *that* powerful haha!
or is it?
or is it?
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mortimer confirms we have all but the SRBs ordered & on the way for our Progeny Mk5 Block II launch next month, launch date still NET 11/15
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
SRB order awaits results of 1st successful Block I flight, as their more powerful constant thrust may require change to solid fuel burn rate
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all day spent working to get science & telemetry data from rocket has been a total success! Now, all the bad news: bit.ly/ProgenitorPR18
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tl;dr: 11/7 launch pushed to NET 11/22; Block II pushed to NET Dec; lots of re-thinking & re-designing needs to be done after data analysis
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB crew felt overworked these past few launches & management concurs. New build times extended 0.5wks: 2.5wks for Mk5-I and 3wks for Mk5-II
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progenitor team have released full report on last week's launch. It's a deep read. Lots to do before the next one! bit.ly/Progenitor-PR19 tl;dr: most successful flight w/most problems too! Solutions for everything, but time tight. Block I launch NET 12/12, Block II NET Jan 2018
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we've ordered new fairings that will offer better radiation protection, have also begun to upgrade our RF antennas and new shielded casings are on the way for our probe cores
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progenitor team had a final meeting today and decided that, due mainly to the visible design changes, once the Mk5 Block I design is locked in they will retire it and the Block I and Block II designs will go on to become the Progeny Mk6
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
🎊✨ HAPPY NEW YEAR!! ✨🎉
We hope everyone rang in 2018 safely with much joy and look forward to returning to KSC tomorrow to begin ramping up operations for the coming year!
\[0o]/
We hope everyone rang in 2018 safely with much joy and look forward to returning to KSC tomorrow to begin ramping up operations for the coming year!
\[0o]/
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're back to full operational status here at KSC! We have a lot to look forward to in 2018 and over the past week at KSA HQ many meetings were had to finalize our general timeline for the year. Here's what to expect:
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's official, the Progeny Mk5 is now the Mk6! Find out all the details, including what is now in store for the Block II since the Block I has proven capable of making past low-Kerbin space as well as a possible Mk7 kerbalspace.agency/?p=6681
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
time to chillax and enjoy the weekend! Head over to bit.ly/OpSummary1-29-… (link verified! Sorry about last week) to check out details on this week's Deuce PR tour and the latest news from the Progenitor team on the Mk6
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
scientists are very annoyed they won't be getting any further radiation data soon and if you want to know why then check out this report on what is suspected so far about the radiation region above our planet: kerbalspace.agency/?p=6921
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
the data we have so far on the hazardous radiation region in space tells us three main things:
1: it extends above 580km near the equator
2: it gets "fuzzy" around the edges with a larger area extending closer to the surface
3: it stops entirely if you travel south far enough
1: it extends above 580km near the equator
2: it gets "fuzzy" around the edges with a larger area extending closer to the surface
3: it stops entirely if you travel south far enough
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
fully exploring this region will be a goal of our first orbital probe Kerbin I, but until then we'll get what data we can from our sub-orbital missions, such as correlating data with a northward launch & flying higher with a Mk6 Block II
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
the Block II launch will not carry any contract payload instruments, just the radiation detector. The return from space will be so far beyond what the Block I goes through we can't even guess if the rocket will be recoverable, even if airbrakes don't fail
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
a new organization of scientists whose families happen to have deep pockets have declared themselves the Interstellar Exploration Foundation and have given us initial funding to help offset the cost of our Progeny MK6 Block II launches to explore the radiation region
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
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
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB has begun to work on finishing the assembly of the Progeny Mk1-B that will be carried atop the Deuce while integration work continues on the two Mk6 Block II vehicles and parts are starting to arrive for the second Ascension Mk1 launching next month
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny launch base has been trucked back to the VAB so it can be strengthened to handle the extra weight of the Block II, the assembly of which remains on schedule and we hope to have the first launch date set this week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
vertical stacking of the Progeny Mk6 Block II was completed today. It stands 10.7m tall, just under a meter shorter than an Ascension Mk1, some parts of which can be seen in the background getting prepped for next month's flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
load-bearing will be monitored over the weekend and then the rocket will be laid horizontal Monday for final checkouts and loading onto the carry vehicle. Launch is set for 6/20 @ 16:03 UTC with the second launch NET 6/26
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/OpSummary6-11-… has all the info you need to stay on top of all that is going on, with additional details that are too verbose for tweets during the week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB is so busy right now the two capsule prototypes that arrived today have just been parked outside until the Progeny Mk6-II rolls out tomorrow. The astronauts and other Ascension team members can't wait to get hands-on with them to begin assessing the designs
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Ascension engine support collar has been removed and the Progeny launch base has been returned to the launch pad, strengthened to handle the extra weight and length of the Mk6 Block II. Launching direct east, service towers pose no hazard. Hopefully weather improves for launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Progeny Mk6 Block II rocket has passed through final closeouts is and loaded up for rollout and mounting tomorrow ahead of launch Wed. Composed of 7 engines, it's the most complex rocket we've built to date. Learn more here: ops.kerbalspace.agency/?vessel=progen…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
unfortunately the continued parts shortage means we can only ready a single balloon for the launch, which means if any delay goes to the point where we need to source new wind data, we'll have to scrub until the next day cycle for another balloon to be assembled
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
mounting vehicle and carry vehicle are heading out to the launch pad to get the Progeny Mk6 Block II setup on the launch base so final launch readiness checks can be carried out later today to confirm the base modifications are in working order
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Tracking Station reports they are ready to support tomorrow's launch attempt. Sheltered Rock & Ockr will not play an active role in this launch, although they will still act as backups for telemetry while the rocket remains visible to them
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Flight Director Lanalye says her launch team has checked out the rocket and everything looks good. She has submitted her launch readiness report along with Lead Engineer Simon on behalf of the Progenitor team
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
launch readiness review has been approved by Ops Director @dkerman_ksa 🚀 GO PROGENY! 🚀 We will begin prelaunch operations tomorrow at 10:53 UTC with lift off still planned for 16:03 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-5h10m] prelaunch ops are kicking off, following the exact same steps as the MK6 Block I but we've added an extra hour to preflight in case we run up against any unforeseen issues with the slightly more complex Block II. Expect updates at these milestones
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
🌅Sunrise/Sunset🌄
@ KSC (UTC-4)
6/20
#2🌄08:08:29 🌅10:18:50 !!🚀!!
#3🌄14:09:20 🌅16:19:41
#4🌄20:10:11 🌅22:20:32
6/21
#1🌄02:11:02 🌅04:21:23
@ KSC (UTC-4)
6/20
#2🌄08:08:29 🌅10:18:50 !!🚀!!
#3🌄14:09:20 🌅16:19:41
#4🌄20:10:11 🌅22:20:32
6/21
#1🌄02:11:02 🌅04:21:23
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-4h40m] regional weather reports are still in the process of being received and analyzed by our team of weather officials as the launch team begins to assemble in Launch Control for Flight Director Lanalye's briefing. Here is a look at the Block II ascent profile
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the Block II will fly very similar to a Block I. The only real differences are the radial boosters to compensate for the extra fuel mass and the 2x longer burn time of the 3rd stage. Staging of 1st & 2nd stacked SRBs should be near similar altitudes to a Block I
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-4h10m] we are GO to enter preflight, no signs of hazardous weather in the area. Launch team is on console waking the rocket up to load its flight software and configure for tanking. bit.ly/AFCS_Changes has details on what was modified for the Block II flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h55m] rocket is ready to take on its fuel, all 220kg of it - 99kg of liquid fuel and 121kg of oxidizer for the final stage booster. Fuel trucks can easily still handle this with a single trip to the pad
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-3h21m] slight issues with fueling that needed to be worked out but that was the main thing that hadn't really been rehearsed beforehand so trouble was not unexpected. We still have a buffer in the countdown & team is now moving on to continue preflight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-2h36m] rocket systems looking nominal, tank levels holding and pad has been cleaned up from fueling and evacuated ahead of booster engine checkouts. Quick response team has sheltered in the nearby bunker. RSO confirms rocket is not armed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
back to the usual spectator layout for this launch. With the four extra boosters igniting at launch hearing protection is advised, but holding hands over ear holes should be enough if you didn't bring any gear or don't want to rent some
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h57m] slightly longer engine checkout due to the additional 4 extra boosters but still within our 1hr buffer and teams are now standing by and continuing to monitor the rocket as we wait for L-1h30m to continue normal countdown operations
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h30m] prelaunch ops continue as MSV Lymun has arrived for range monitoring duties while MSV Tongjess departed Umbarg earlier today to set up station 200km to the east for tracking and recovery operations
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-1h20m] release of the high-altitude balloon to monitor upper-level wind conditions and detect any shear that could affect the rocket during its ascent. Readings will be received from the upper-atmosphere a few minutes prior to the final countdown poll at L-5min
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-45m] inside an hour to launch and everything is setup for Flight Director Lanalye's team to run through a full launch rehearsal and ensure all systems are properly configured and all assets are in place, ready to go
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-30m] FD Lanalye confirms all is ready, weather remains great outside and we are very much a GO for final countdown! At this stage the rocket itself is all set we just have some external tasks to complete prior to lift off
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[L-15m] Range Safety Officer reports launch pad is secured and clear, MSV Lymun reports seas and airspace are clear, KSC security reports all visitors are in designated areas. Rocket boosters have been ARMED, flight termination system confirmed ACTIVE
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
significant computer modeling for this launch was done based on past Mk5/6 launches to help ensure a proper flight profile on this first launch attempt but RSO is still set to manually terminate the rocket's ascent if it flips over and heads west instead of east
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tipping over due to aerodynamics isn't the only worry - if for some reason one of the radial boosters fails to ignite RSO will also be forced to immediately terminate the rocket - it wouldn't spin up fast enough to counter the asymmetric thrust
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, running on its own battery supply that keeps it powered just long enough during ascent
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-2m] terminal countdown has been initiated as the Automated Flight Control System takes over and preps the vehicle for launch. Ground connections are pulled out of the way of the rocket exhaust, internal batteries now supply power, RF comms check is underway
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
[T-1m] launch team standing by for quick primary polling at T-30s, be sure to load up our Ops Tracker if you haven't yet to get real-time updates for planned staging and flight events! Standby! ops.kerbalspace.agency/?vessel=progen…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have ignition of all 5 boosters and lift off! 140kN of thrust produces just over 6Gs of force - this plus the extra batteries near the nose should keep the rocket pointed downrange. Radial boosters will detach after just 5.5 seconds, burning fuel at 11kg/s
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
so much can happen in one minute! 3rd stage burn continues, chamber pressures nominal. Rocket got knocked around a bit after radial booster sep but re-stabilized and AoA constraints were not violated. Apokee is now past 70km and climbing fast. Go Progeny go!!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
BECO with an apokee of 900km - and that's with 33% fuel remaining! AFCS cut off the engine so the rocket would not travel far out of 1Mm comms range nor lack enough battery power to complete the mission. Just under 16 minutes until apokee
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
fuel valves have been re-opened to purge the tanks of remaining fuel so rocket is as light as possible upon return. Radiation levels have climbed to peak 10.01rad/hr seen on previous flights - we will see how things fare past our last altitude record of 581km
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are through!! Radiation levels have fallen to "normal" 0.01rad/hr as the rocket moved beyond 713km. Lead Scientist Cheranne and R&D Head Wernher are dancing around with excitement to have entered into a new region of space above our planet
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
nearing apokee, rocket has traveled only 133km downrange - its speed has dropped so low relative to Kerbin the surface is beginning to rotate faster underneath so it's not moving away from us over land by much anymore
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we have passed through apokee, battery levels are at 56% so rocket will have power throughout its descent although chutes would have been armed to deploy by pressure sensor if AFCS had to shut down due to lack of power during flight
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket is still on the long journey back down. Atmospheric interface will occur in ~10 minutes. MSV Tongjess will by now have plotted the rocket's landing area to within 15km and should be moving off its initial station to place itself in recovery position
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
radiation levels have returned to 10.01rad/hr as the rocket falls back through the hazardous radiation region, which scientists now strongly believe circles our entire planet around the equator, given that we never fail to encounter it no matter when we launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
although a small precession in the rocket's spin was present as it left the atmosphere, the mission has run long enough for it to eventually lay the rocket out almost flat, spinning like the needle in a compass
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
within a minute the rocket will slam sideways into the atmosphere at >2km/s rather than engine first. Slight concern over this, but the last time it happened (ops.kerbalspace.agency/?vessel=progen…) everything turned out okay so - fingers crossed!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
loss of signal as expected - rocket entered 250km downrange so we won't know of its fate until MSV Tongjess sails back in range to contact us via skip comms after witnessing its demise or recovering it from the water. We wait!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
review of launch video footage has shown what made the rocket register a wobble in its AoA during booster separation. That's maybe a problem that will need to be solved? Did not seem to be the cause of instability seen later in flight youtube.com/watch?v=VvNUBu…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
✨🎉 KERZZAH!! 🎊✨ MSV Tongjess is on its way back, close enough to report they sighted the rocket breaking up on re-entry but after the fuel tanks and engine ripped away the probe core upwards remained intact, deployed chute and splashed down at L+37m10s
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
this is awesome news because we recovered all the parts of the rocket that are re-usable! Well, probe core was not meant to take the force of landing or heat of re-entry so that may still be a write off but trusses, radiation detector and nose cone are in good condition
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
in addition to the new bit.ly/KSARecords for altitude set yesterday we've also designated the Progeny Mk6 our most successful rocket to date, maintaining a 100% success rate so far over 6 missions
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
if we take the data from when the Progeny Mk6 Block II engine was cut off and use our trajectory software to complete the burn with the remaining dV the apokee ends up being nearly 3.5Mm!! That's nearly 1/3 of the way to Mun! How we would power a mission that long, no idea
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Interstellar Exploration Foundation has confirmed our achievement of passing through the radiation region yesterday and have awarded us the full 25,000 fund purse to enable additional Progeny Mk6 Block II launches that will see what lies further beyond
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
initial review of the Mk6-II flight telemetry has brought up no major issues. Team is still excitedly discussing the lucky recovery and considering if that might be done on purpose for future, higher flights. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
kerbalspace.agency/?p=7518 is the direct and proper link to today's Ops Summary
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bulk of the Progeny Mk6 Block II flight analysis will be focused on what caused the rocket to become so unstable late in the ascent. Initial booster detach wobble appeared to be zeroed out, stack staging seemed to be more disruptive than on Block I flights
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
in related news however scientists have released a new post detailing the findings of the recent Progeny flights in regards to the hazardous radiation region, now closer to being called a "belt" - kerbalspace.agency/?p=7542
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
flight analysis for the first Progeny Mk6 Block II mission is now available: kerbalspace.agency/?p=7536 unfortunately due to mission length complications we don't know yet when the second Block II will be able to launch, but definitely no earlier than mid-July
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
meet the radiation belt! Or maybe it's just the *inner* belt? Report has been published detailing what our Progeny rocket missions have discovered about the so-called hazardous radiation region up in space: kerbalspace.agency/?p=7937
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
TL;DR - we can well-define a "no go" region for future space missions that leaves plenty of room in LKO for kerbed space flight, but there still may be some challenges to advancing further out towards Mun if the radiation discovered at the poles extends far out into space
