The final of 4 launches carrying 2 experiments designed and built by students with mentoring from industry professionals to further study properties of the ionosphere, radiation belts, sun, zero-G, and more
Tag Archive: Block I
Dec 18 2019
Progeny Mk6 Block I Flight 15 (Kerbal Sounding Project 4)
Dec 16 2019
Progeny Mk6 Block I Flight 14 Analysis
Announced back in August, the Progeny Mk6 Block I was chosen to carry student-built experiments up into space two at a time. This will be the first time we are collaborating so directly with the various higher educational institutions around Kerbin and participation levels indicate the next generation of kerbs is eager to make their mark in space exploration! This mission was delayed from its original Dec 5th launch date due to the deadly attack on KSC in October, but all went well in the lead-up to launch with the rocket rolling out to the North Field launch site the day prior and tanked for a wet dress rehearsal. It was then left fueled for a condensed countdown on launch day. Structural panels are now attached underneath the launch base to prevent it from sinking into the softer ground and the launch base was also relocated a few meters as the entire surface around it was starting to be compressed since the first two launches.
The Flight
The command to ignite the lower 0.625m solid rocket motor and begin the ascent was triggered by the AFCS and sent the rocket flying upwards at precisely 13:20:00.08 local time after an issue-less preflight. The rocket flew a standard ascent, dropping the first stage at L+35s and coasting to second stage ignition after the nose dropped 1.5° by L+41s. The second stage was detached cleanly to allow the 3rd stage to complete the burn up into space, reaching it just under 2 seconds after main engine cut-off @ L+1m28s.
Nov 28 2019
Progeny Mk6 Block I Flight 13 Analysis
Announced back in August, the Progeny Mk6 Block I was chosen to carry student-built experiments up into space two at a time. This will be the first time we are collaborating so directly with the various higher educational institutions around Kerbin and participation levels indicate the next generation of kerbs is eager to make their mark in space exploration! This mission was delayed from its original Nov 14th launch date due to the deadly attack on KSC last month, but all went well in the lead-up to launch with the rocket rolling out to the North Field launch site the day prior and tanked for a wet dress rehearsal. It was then left fueled for a condensed countdown on launch day. Structural panels are now attached underneath the launch base to prevent it from sinking off-kilter into the softer ground.
The Flight
The command to ignite the lower 0.625m solid rocket motor and begin the ascent was triggered by the AFCS and sent the rocket flying upwards at precisely 12:15:00.08 local time after an issue-less preflight. The rocket flew a standard ascent, dropping the first stage at L+35s and coasting to second stage ignition after the nose dropped 1.5° by L+40s. The second stage was detached cleanly to allow the 3rd stage to complete the burn up into space, reaching it just over 3 seconds after main engine cut-off.
Nov 19 2019
Progeny Mk6 Block I Flight 12 Analysis
Announced back in August, the Progeny Mk6 Block I was chosen to carry student-built experiments up into space two at a time. This will be the first time we are collaborating so directly with the various higher educational institutions around Kerbin and participation levels indicate the next generation of kerbs are eager to make their mark in space exploration! This mission was delayed from its original Nov 5th launch date due to the deadly attack on KSC last month, then further delayed due to hazardous weather in the recovery zone. Set up in the North Field due to damages done to the launch pad, the launch site allowed for condensed launch procedures thanks to being far enough away the rocket could remain fueled after the wet dress rehearsal on the day prior to lift off.
The Flight
The rocket left the launch base at precisely 12:05:00.08 local time under command of the AFCS after a smooth preflight with no holds. Ascent was nominal and followed the standard profile through the first stage burn, second stage coast and second stage burn. Upon completion of the second stage burn (MECO-2) at L+52s the booster was discarded a second later and the third stage engine ignited a second after that. During that time a pitch change was registered that saw the rocket’s nose drop from 61° to 58° in less than half a second – a relatively large movement.