Commander Valentina and Captain Jebediah head home from SRG with KWS meteorologist Katgan & investigate a storm that could possibly affect the launch of a Progeny Mk6-I rocket later in the day
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Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
MSV Aldeny set sail earlier today for the recovery zone 325km to the east and has contacted us through Sheltered Rock to report ships passing them headed for Umbarg say a storm is working westwards & could affect recovery or launch tomorrow (not actual sail route)
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
all launch readiness reviews have been approved by Ops Dir @DKerman_KSA but an eye is still on the weather. Seas are rougher now where MSV Aldeny is & we'll get more info on the storm when the Deuce flies home tomorrow instead of keeping its original schedule to arrive back today
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
ground crews are readying the Deuce for departure in the next hour. This photo gives you a better idea of The Chute they flew down last week and today they'll be climbing out over The Wall. SRG is no joke! Pilots that can fly in & out of here can fly anywhere
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Deuce is fired up & ready to go with Val in the left seat operating the aircraft and Jeb in the right seat handling navigation, comms and additional tasks Val can't do without releasing the yoke. Taxi/takeoff clearance has been granted
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
after ramping off the end of the runway, using the slope to help accelerate, Val pulled a hard left and hauled back on the stick to climb hard over The Wall at 3km, holding positive rate at 15m/s. Jeb immediately cleaned up the aircraft, pulling in the gear & flaps to reduce drag
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
clearing The Wall in the dark is always a bit dicey, but the aircraft stuck to the instrument departure and had no problems with terrain. Heading south now, descending over the foothills on the other side, Val will level off for cruise at 2km ASL
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Jeb signed off as they dipped below the horizon. It's dark, you can't see storm clouds. Flying at a constant altitude allows Katgan in the back to begin to guide them towards the lower pressure area out to sea where the storm resides
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Jeb got back in touch with us a few mins ago & Val has vectors with clearance for a straight-in approach to Rwy27, looks like they got a good slice of the storm in one pass - Kat says the cabin windows need shades, she was very distracted by the lightning in the darkness
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
after a smooth approach and landing the Deuce has taxied back to the HAB, here's a shot of it coming in from atop Launch Control. Weather data will be analyzed & we will have a conditions update when launch procedures are scheduled to begin later today @ 18:57 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Ascension program planners are still working the updated drag and flight dynamics results from the Mk1 flight into the Mk2 ascent trajectory to make sure we still end up in an orbit so expect a launch date next week. What about this week? Catch up: kerbalspace.agency/?p=10393
