Rocket Sled Timeline

.@LatrodectusDota although, it's worth noting no one has ever tried to see what the maximum short duration G-load limits are for Kerbals...

✨🎉 KERZZAH! 🎉✨ we have word from MSV Tongjess that they located the capsule still afloat, altho it took extra time to find the heat shield, which detached moments before splashdown to reduce damage for post-flight inspection & clear the way for the float collar to deploy

#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

medical doctor Murstap Kerman has been trying to get his research fully funded for a few years - he's been trying to convince the medical community that extreme G loads over short periods can be withstood but no one has really cared or not until now!

additional big news from the report is that we have agreed to fund Dr. Murstap's deceleration research in conjunction with C7 Aerospace Division to not only benefit space flight but also design safer aircraft in the event of accidents. Two words: ROCKET SLED!!

things are proceeding apace here at the Kerbal Space Center as we continue to gear up for a return to rocket flight at the end of the month. Learn more about this week's activities in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9236

the sled track will be built along the entire 2.2km length of the paved runway, closing it to flight operations. The Deuce & Civvie however can both land and depart from the turf runways if needed (dotted outline) - Also, new chart ASA-002-R2 has the main runway marked paved now

aircraft is lining up on the turf runway 09 after crossing the paved runway ahead of the rocket sled test track, which is currently nearing 1km long and will span the entire 2km runway length by the end of the month. Winds calm - clear for takeoff!

Dr. Murstap's rocket sled has been completed in the HAB and awaits completion of the test track next week. Everything is on schedule to begin test runs at the start of August with kerbed runs by Murstap to begin in September if all goes well

the track for the rocket sled has been completed, running nearly the full length of the runway at just under 2km. The remaining few hundred meters at the end is a water trough which will rapidly decelerate the sled. Test runs will begin next week

rocket sled is being placed on the track today - sans rocket. There's still a lot of basic testing that needs to be done before we send it screaming at high speeds down the track, even with a dummy aboard, since we don't want to damage the track or the sled if possible

the shuttle the cars are hooked to, which is itself hooked to the sled, is designed to keep the cable pull even from both sides, since the drivers wouldn't be in perfect sync, and ensures the sled is pulled straight down the track with no lateral force. Good runs today

after towing the sled for a few dozen runs down the track these past two days, some minor adjustments will be made to the rail alignment over the next week followed by more test runs that will hopefully certify the track ready for accel/decel testing w/test dummy Greggery

the first solid booster for the rocket sled has arrived in the VAB today and will be checked out over the next week while track tesing continues. Still hoping to use it to push the sled later this month

a few bumps on the turf and jeb is back down, taxiing around the sled track again and back to the HAB. Researchers will be spending the rest of the year working on all the pollen data that's been collected since 2017 to help improve the health & safety of surface living

after track re-alignment the sled is back to being towed by our patrol cars, the fastest vehicles on the campus. They can get up to ~40m/s while pulling the sled which is a small fraction of the speed it will actually travel, but good enough for basic testing purposes

a look into the VAB as the Ascension Mk1 for next week (center) prepares to go vertical to have the capsule mounted while the one for Sept (left) begins integration w/ its engine. To the right is the sled undergoing SRB integration for a test run later this week

today saw the 1st real test of the rocket sled, roaring down the runway at speeds of ~250m/s with test dummy Greggery aboard. It did not fly off the track and stopped properly in the water trap @ >15Gs. Back in the VAB now crew is assessing damage to the sled's undercarriage

Lead Engineer Simon reports the rocket sled will need some parts replaced and reinforced against the massive deceleration at the end of the track, but future runs should leave the sled in good shape. We should be able to get another test in before the end of Aug

going into the weekend with a good report from the VAB saying the rocket is ready to go next week. Astronauts got in some good water training the past few days & will partake in a survival expedition this weekend. Catch up on what else went down via kerbalspace.agency/?p=9588

rocket sled has been repaired and mated with its second booster for another test run tomorrow. It will still be unkerbed and some changes to the water trap have also been done to reduce damage to the sled while still hopefully providing adequate stopping power

our second rocket sled test was delayed yesterday due to technical issues but successfully ran the track earlier today. Initial post-run analysis shows everything to be within expected margins and Dr. Murstap is planning to be aboard the next run in September

full analysis of the test data from the rocket sled run last week has made Dr. Murstap confident he can take the next ride. There's still ongoing debate about where to draw the initial line for the force of deceleration he will endure - anywhere from 14-18Gs

released from the medical clinic, Murstap says he will definitely take a break & deep dive the data before the next run later this month. He described the experience as "mildly uncomfortable" and gave a lot of credit to the Mk1 capsule design for helping him take the strain

VAB is quite busy these days with this month's Ascension Mk1 center stage for final integration prep, next month's Ascension Mk2 is starting to get some attention and the Progeny Mk7-A for later this month is almost ready for staging. Guest appearance by the rocket sled

learn more details on what went on this past week in our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9624 Everyone have a relaxing weekend! We look forward as always to greeting all the visitors that will be stopping by - be sure to check out the new Ascension Mk1 static display!

with the previous Ascension flight analysis wrapping up & data from the rocket sled testing, planners have made a late change to next week's mission w/ a higher trajectory from ensuring the rocket burns out w/in the atmosphere, nearing 300km apokee & slightly rougher on re-entry

wrap it up folks, weekend is here! Get caught up on all our operations this past week with additional details via our Ops Summary: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9767 it's been mostly crummy weather all week so let's all hope for a turn-around this weekend

Murstap did suffer some minor injuries including severe bruising from the straps and a broken wrist due to allowing his hand to slide off the rest during the boost and thus leaving it "unsecured" during deceleration. He says he's still upping the Gs for his final run though

this incident planted the seed of an idea that would grow for several years under the care of Dr. Murstap Kerman to become the rocket sled test program currently underway here at KSC to explore the limits of kerbal physiology

the final solid rocket motor has been integrated with the rocket sled and brought out to the track today to prepare for a run next week. Murstap is planning to go all-out but has been dealing with push-back from the project's oversight committee in regards to safety

here's a look at Murstap's run from the middle of the track, at which point he was traveling nearly 200m/s. He remains in the medical center listed as stable but under observation with vision loss, 2 broken ribs, strained neck, minor head trauma and some internal bruising

Murstap remains under medical observation, will not require surgery just plenty of rest to heal - although doctors remain unsure about his lack of eyesight, caused by retinal bleeding that could lead to retinal detachment. We wish him a speedy recovery!

continuing investigation into the last rocket sled run has found several safety systems both on the track & the sled were disabled. When confronted with this discovery Dr. Murstap admitted he did it, saying he wasn't going to let the oversight committee curtail his experiment

wow that was a week already? Time flies when you're having fun, or are just excited like we are for another kerbed space mission next week! Get hype! Also get caught up on all that went down at KSC the past week: kerbalspace.agency/?p=9945

doctors report that Murstap's vision is improving and he will likely only require minor corrective surgery to restore his full sight. His other injuries continue to heal as well & he should be discharged next week. He remains committed to regaining leadership of the sled project

the decision has been made to move the rocket sled testing out to the Kongo River Research Base so an even longer track can be built and also handle larger test vehicles. Murstap has undergone surgical procedures for his eyes and maintains he is still only on "medical leave"

Dr. Murstap was moved to the outpatient ward today & is expected to be discharged over the weekend. His vision has improved but he will require corrective optics. A formal inquiry into his actions will be convened next month to determine if he is to continue to lead the project