Ascension Mk1 Flight 4 (Capsule Test Flight 1)

this flight analysis was also conducted in part with the Progenitor team, who were working on the finishing touches to the Progeny Mk7 design when Ascension made some requests for technology they'd like to see prototyped. Stay tuned for details next week!

before we can announce the date of the next Ascension mission we have to wait for the VAB crews to complete their modifications to the rocket fins for the next vehicle. Lead Engineer Simon reports they hope to wrap things up by the end of the week

additional Ascension news includes a look at the complete assembly of the Mk1 capsule. Decision has been made for the Launch Escape System to undergo a pad abort test prior to the next Ascension launch, which will push it back closer to the middle of March

our week of operations has concluded, be sure to check out our Weekly Ops Report to get all the information on what has transpired: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8769 (BTW new altitude record is 8.683km ASL)

work on the next Ascension Mk1 and Progeny Mk6 rockets proceeding apace in the VAB. Lead Engineer Simon has reported all remains on schedule for our next launch attempt the following week: ops.kerbalspace.agency

It was actually scheduled for 3/7 but yes the Ascension schedule will be pushed back as well - it is taller than the launch towers and we don’t want to risk a storm developing if it is brought out to the pad and switched on twitter.com/rocketbeing/st…

additionally of note, the heat shield seen in the last posted image is a mock-up, since it will be dropped shortly after chute deploy during the LES pad abort test. The real one will be attached prior to the actual launch

recap and learn more about the events from this past week via our Ops Summary, including the return of a Desk Note now that @DKerman_KSA is back from his trip to Sheltered Rock kerbalspace.agency/?p=8811

post-launch operations wrapping up, which included hauling the Progeny launch base back to the VAB so tomorrow pad workers can install the Ascension engine clamp in its place. MSV Tongjess returned the splashed down weather balloon & has returned to port in Umbarg

Ascension engine clamp has been installed out on the launch pad for tomorrow's rollout and pad abort test. Rocket has been loaded up onto the carry vehicle in the VAB. Test is currently scheduled for 18:30 UTC

forecast models are still not very reliable unfortunately and the storm system has moved inland. Pad abort test has been scrubbed for today. We will make another attempt tomorrow with rollout after 2nd sunrise and test scheduled for 19:00 UTC

learn more about today's semi-successful launch escape system pad abort test and more happenings from this past week in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8845 Sadly yes, this will delay getting a kerbal aboard for a sub-orbital flight

LES solid rocket pitch motor atop the tower is confirmed to simply be the same as the push motors, which means the simple fix is to replace the pitch motor on the 2nd LES meant for flight with the proper one and test again, altho whether the capsule can be reused still a question

although not capable of flight, the test capsule can still work for another LES pad abort test. It will be re-integrated with the fixed LES tower and mounted to a different Mk1 lifter (we have 3 other ones ready). Re-test will take place next week on 3/27

operations are in a bit of a lull right now but still there are things to report in our weekly Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8859 everyone have a happy weekend!

Mk1 capsule test article was re-integrated with the dummy heatshield and fixed Launch Escape System tower yesterday. Today it is being re-mounted atop an Ascension Mk1 lifter. All remains on schedule for another pad abort test of the LES tomorrow at 19:30 UTC

Ascension LES pad abort test is now scheduled for tomorrow, 19:50 UTC. Rocket was moved out to the pad however a mechanical issue arose with the arm that lifts the rocket vertical. After trying to fix it out on the pad the vehicle has now been rolled back to the VAB for repairs

full video with additional angles will be posted tomorrow but here's a look at the capsule flying up into the air and nearly out of sight into the distance from the launch tower camera. Now that's more like it!

another week behind us, catch up on all that happened with additional details via our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8899 have a relaxing weekend, everybody!

test capsule is being re-integrated today with the dummy heatshield (now rather beat up but still usable) and LES tower to prep for its third pad abort test at the end of the week, currently targeting 20:00 UTC

Lead Engineer Simon has reported the test rocket completed integration in the VAB today and has been laid horizontal on the carry vehicle for rollout tomorrow after 2nd sunrise. Pad abort remains on schedule for 20:00 UTC

end of the week is here at last! Catch anything you may have missed in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8916 we suggest all our rocketry crews get some rest this weekend - launch campaign for the next Ascension mission kicks off in earnest next week!

final assembly for next week's launch is well underway on the Ascension side of the VAB with the lifter in place for stacking the capsule later this week after it finishes integration. Wondering where the RCS blocks went from last week's capsule test? Wonder no more!

one week to our next launch (ops.kerbalspace.agency) and while the rocket gets ready in the VAB work has also been done out on the launch pad to ensure that it is all set to support the launch. Photo taken just a short while ago at 3rd sunset

we bet you all thought *next week* was going to be the exciting one! We made quite a few ambitious announcements this past week, so let's take a closer look at what still needs to be done to get something up into orbit in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8935

Sheltered Rock and Ockr have confirmed they are both ready to deliver downrange tracking for this week's launch. For orbital launches, we also have DSN Central. Nothing to the south? No worries - anything we launch south will also eventually pass over areas north of the equator

final readiness review is complete, Ops Dir @DKerman_KSA has signed off the paperwork and we are 🚀 GO FOR LAUNCH 🚀!! Weather is looking great with over 95% chance of favorable conditions. Pre-launch operations will kick off tomorrow at 15:42 UTC. Get hype!!

both the capsule and heatshield will be back at KSC late tomorrow and we may also have some preliminary analysis of the flight to share, but the full analysis will not be available until at least the end of the month

we're not digging any deeper into this week's flight, but if you fear you may have missed anything these past few days you'll find it in our weekly Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8957 a well-deserved rest to all our rocketry team members this weekend!

#ICYMI we had our latest rocket launch this week. Here is the Ascension Mk1 Block I lifter carrying the Mk1 capsule for a test ride into space (unkerbed) clearing the tower moments after liftoff. For more on the mission see our Ops Tracker: ops.kerbalspace.agency

re-entry data from last week's flight shows Greggery experienced a crushing 17G of peak force - survivable but not without some possible nasty side-effects. We're aiming for 10-12G and may need to shoot for a lower altitude next time or just go further for a flatter trajectory

the heat shield dropped from the Mk1 capsule shows only 2.5% of its surface was ablated away during re-entry. This is good news because a thinner heat shield can save as much as 180kg - atop an Ascension Mk2 upper stage that's an extra 65m/s of Δv

a relatively mundane week here at the KSC but as always exciting things are on the horizon. Catch anything you may have missed or find more details on what transpired in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=8969