The Kerbal Space Center will attempt the second flight in the Mark Program, the Mark Two, as soon as possible. Scheduling this launch so soon after the out-of-control moments of the Mark One flight indicates that the Kerbal Space Center is quite confident in the findings of the Mark One Anomaly Report (see CommNetNews’ coverage of the report’s findings here, and the Mark One flight coverage here).
The Mark Two flight will carry out the same mission objectives as the Mark One flight. These are:
- Demonstrating the complete flight envelope including lift-off, powered flight, a period of weightlessness, descent, impact mitigation, and recovery.
- Evaluating the Kerbonaut’s physiological and psychological reactions during flight.
- Operate externally mounted secondary scientific payloads.
Additional checks and documentation steps have been implemented to ensure that a repeat of the errors during vehicle assembly do not happen again. The Pad checkout procedures have also been made to more thoroughly verify the vehicle before lift-off.
Jebediah Kerman (no relation) will pilot the mission.
The Mark Two vehicle will be mostly unchanged from the Mark One, although minor differences exist. The environmental system has been minorly adjusted to compensate for the greater than expected heat transfer from the RT-5 “Flea” Solid Rocket Booster to the Mk1 Capsule. Jebediah has also requested that a sandwich be included as crew rations. The craft weight and performance should be unchanged.
The Kerbal Space Center expects to be ready for the next launch attempt within the next few days.
