Progeny Mk1-B Captive Carry & Launch Rehearsal

bore hole measurements made yesterday show it continues to close at a rate that will see it healed up by mid-Nov. We still have to see whether the EM field drops or further reduces its size but if able to resume surface ops, would work towards Jan '19 Ascension & Progeny launches

both our operational aircraft have been rolled back out to the tarmac after having their electronic systems checked and repaired where necessary. Later today Ted & Aldy will take up the Deuce to ensure everything is in working order prior to its next mission

good report from the HAB, which is buzzing with activity as the Dhumla continues its structural assembly while the Progeny Mk1-B is also being mounted on the tail of the Deuce & today's Civvie begins its science instrument integration

while it's nice to see short-term forecasts improving, this also means we'll be standing down until later in the day for our Progeny Mk1-B release rehearsal. New departure time will be after the next sunrise at 20:00 UTC & hopefully forecast holds for more favorable conditions

MSV Lymun has arrived offshore. We will be releasing the rocket out over the Kerblantic this time as that is where it will be coming down after its flight. Lymun will recover the rocket today as an exercise to ensure any issues are worked out before actual post-flight splashdown

Ted & Aldy are suited & booted, heading over to Mission Control for their briefing with Flight Director Lanalye and her team of controllers. Ground crews are making sure the Deuce is ready for the flight crew to arrive afterwards. Weather conditions are improving as expected

the purpose of this final release test is to gather even more data on the rocket behavior right after separation. The rocket itself will also now confirm that it can detect when it flies free of the aircraft so we know it can safely ignite its engine under the right conditions

briefing complete, crew is heading out to preflight the aircraft while controllers get on console to begin setting up the rocket and ensuring all systems are ready for departure

Aldy has signaled Flight that they are ready for taxi. Surface winds are light and variable; clearance to taxi will be granted out to Rwy27, getting them off in the direction they'll need to go for their climb to release altitude of 7km ASL

Ted has the Deuce in position and holding, waiting for Flight to run some final checks on the rocket before clearing them for takeoff. Plan was for controllers to be done by now but events haven't quite synced up as expected

all good on the rocket side, Deuce was cleared for takeoff and has departed to the west, seen here climbing out of KSC. Ted will keep the engines at full throttle and climb for release altitude while controllers monitor rocket telemetry to ensure its reporting good data

already through 4km, Flight has vectored them south of the mountains as usual. Passing through the main cloud layer soon, Aldy will report on winds as they approach release altitude to confirm we have good conditions for today's rehearsal

after leveling off at 7km we've had a chance to analyze the winds aloft and conditions are looking good. Flight has provided additional vectors and Ted is now setting up to pass over the drop zone heading into the wind

Deuce is on course for the drop point, Ted holding her steady while Aldy works through final procedures with controllers on the ground to ensure the flight computers on the aircraft and the rocket are both ready for deployment. MSV Lymun confirms they are ready

we are GO for release! Flight has armed the rocket to detect its release conditions after Ted & Aldy dip the aircraft into a dive down to 6.5km and pulls up at ~4Gs to climb back to 7km with a pitch of ~65°. It is up to the pilots to begin the maneuver when they are ready

rocket has been released cleanly! It is still free-falling towards chute deployment altitude @ 2.5km. Aircraft has recovered without issue from its stall and will begin descent to land back on Rwy27

MSV Lymun reported good chute deployment shortly after our last tweet, and the rocket splashed down 23km to the west just under a minute ago. They are moving to recover it as Ted & Aldy continue their descent from 7km

Deuce is turning onto base leg to setup for final approach. Lymun crews have reached the splashdown location and confirm the rocket is still on the surface with no visible damage. Bring it all home now!

we have successful recovery of the rocket, now on its way back to shore as the Deuce taxis back to the HAB after a smooth landing. Excellent work everyone! Data from today's mission will be reviewed today and tomorrow to make the final decision on whether to attempt launch on Fri

2018 operations have officially ceased! We will resume operations on Jan 2nd, 2019. We are very pleased we were able to squeeze in so much this final week, here is one last Ops Summary to close out the year: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8189