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Tag Archive: Progenitor
Jan 17 2020
Operations Summary – Week of 1/13/20
Jan 13 2020
2020 Program Goals
Over the entire last week, as is per usual for the start of the operational year, numerous meetings were conducted among the various programs here at KSC where all team members were allowed to pitch ideas and voice opinions about the coming year so admin staff could work on decisions for 2020 operational goals. Thankfully all arguments remained professional – no chairs were thrown or whiteboards defaced. Here is all that we hope to accomplish this year.
Ascension Program
Still the most exciting aspect of our operations, Ascension will seek to travel higher and further than ever before starting right this month with the latest Mk1 mission to test out new guidance fins (larger versions of those that flew first on the Progeny Mk7-A) as well as attempt another RTG impact test. More details on the mission will be posted later this week when we announce a launch date. The Mk1 will also fly at least two more times this year to send Captain Jeb and Specialist Bob into space on sub-orbital missions to continue to observe the effects of zero-G on kerbals, as well as tolerance to re-entry forces.
The first flight of the Mk2, as early as February, will be entirely dependent on the performance of this month’s Mk1 mission. If successful, the new fins should give the Mk2 the control authority required to pitch over fast enough to achieve orbit. From the first mission we will aim to deploy a satellite, Kerbin I, which was announced last year. It will allow us to conduct various tests before being de-orbited due to limited battery power. The Mk2 will continue to fly throughout the year to place more payloads into space and help certify the RTG for flight so that we can send up a trio of long-lasting communications satellites by the end of the year. If the Mk2 shows itself to be a reliable vehicle, sending a kerbal into orbit before the year is out is a serious possibility but not one we will rush towards.
In the latter half of this year we hope to also debut the Mk3, the full design spec of which you can review here. This was officially approved last week although the production dates have been pushed back. The Mk3 should be the rocket that lets us send payloads into orbit around Mun and Minmus, perhaps this year.
Finally, work is also being done on the Mk1-B capsule that will debut later this year, retaining single-occupancy but upgrading various systems & design.
Dec 20 2019
Progeny Mk6 Block I Flight 15 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 17th launch date due to the deadly attack on KSC back 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, with structural panels underneath the launch base to increase its surface area and prevent sinkage that could tilt the rocket off the desired pitch and heading at launch.
The Flight
Balanced out to the same mass as the previous rocket, events from this flight occurred within a second of that one, sending the rocket up only 2km less at apokee which translated into splashing down a few hundred meters further downrange. The rocket actually flew up and over a storm in the Kerblantic that a Deuce flight investigated earlier in the day. KSC was far enough to the west and the recovery zone was far enough to the east to not be affected by any high winds or strong seas. It was recovered without issue, heading out to sea drifting ~5km off the far eastern shore.
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.
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