Progeny Mk1-B Captive Carry & Release Test 3

initial results from today's mission show the rocket pitched up to 77° after being released at 44° (great flying, Ted!). This is only 1° more than expected based on data from the first test and shows an elevated release still won't kick the rocket over too much

storms are moving through the area bringing high winds and rain. Ted and Aldy will be on standby hoping for better weather, ground crews braved the elements to get the rocket remounted and ready for another release test

rocket carry/release standing down until next day cycle. Weather has also so far prevented the astronaut crew from performing wet capsule exercises thanks to excessive waves heights, even in the bay, due to winds

3rd sunrise approaches and weather remains poor for both flight crew and astronaut crew. Don't think they're sitting around twiddling their toes though, everyone still has plenty of indoor work to keep them busy. Still continuing to hope for better weather later today

2nd sunrise is coming, Tedman & Aldeny are getting suited up for flight. Today's mission will continue release testing of the Progeny Mk1-B off the rear of the Deuce, aiming to deploy the rocket into its nominal ascent pitch of ~85°

Ted & Aldy are heading out from briefing at Flight Control to perform their walk around inspection prior to climbing aboard for preflight. Weather conditions are decent, mostly cloudy with light winds and no gusts

we are suspending all surface operations and pulling back all staff to Umbarg HQ due to temperatures increasing near 100°F as a high-pressure system sits over our region. We just can't keep our facilities cool enough in this heat for a proper work environment

this has happened before & after much investigation scientists still don't fully understand what's going on but say a mixture of ocean currents, jet stream bending and moisture levels in the air can apparently combine under the right conditions to form a very localized heat wave

KSC has weathered the storms and we'll be moving operations back to the campus today. We will have updates throughout the day on new dates for the various missions that were put on hold as staff get re-situated and back on track

Flight Officers Tedman & Aldeny are standing down from flight readiness after spending the day cycle waiting for a dense marine layer to clear - air temps have cooled but not as fast as the ocean water & remain higher than normal. The fog persists, endangering takeoff & landing

low clouds are rolling through but the Deuce is parked & ready, as are Aldeny & Tedman. We expect weather to improve later this day cycle. Given how much trouble the mission has had, no one is willing to miss a chance at getting airborne

halfway through the day cycle, but weather is looking better and time remains for the mission, which is scheduled to last less than an hour and would see the aircraft back on the ground before sunset. Deuce is already fired up and taxiing out to Rwy09

Aldy is in the pilot seat today and has clearance from Flight to begin his takeoff roll. He'll climb out to the east until 6km ASL before turning back towards KSC to level off at 7km and prep for release maneuver. Tedman will be in charge of release

Deuce is on course for KSC flyover, leveled off and ready to dip down and fly back up to release the rocket while pitched up to ~52° which should kick the rocket back and up into a pitch of ~85°

rocket has just landed ~7km from KSC after a clean release from the top rear of the aircraft. Ted hit the release within 0.5° of target pitch while Aldy held the nose up, then dropped to recover the aircraft from its near stall. They are now spiraling down to land

smooth descent and landing on Rwy09, Deuce is taxiing back to the HAB while recovery crews have already reached the rocket to haul it back for post-flight inspection. Progenitor team will pull the onboard flight data for analysis, we should have results later today

data from today's Progeny Mk1-B release shows the rocket only reached 74°, slightly less than the previous release test. This is likely due to the increased aircraft pitch blocking more of the airstream that was pushing the rocket upright after release

Deuce flight data shows it can safely pitch higher, but release margin will be a lot tighter due to the aircraft being closer to stalling, so much so that the rocket's flight computer will need to monitor and engage the release if proper conditions are met

catch up with what went on this week and learn some additional details in our Ops Summary. Everyone worked tirelessly this week and we hope you enjoy a nice break over the weekend! kerbalspace.agency/?p=7889