UK | Launching Fundamentals Testing

[Jamie]

Launch Fundamentals Testing
Security Classification: OFFICIAL

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XI. PLANNINGX
Part of the United Kingdoms new initiative, the United Kingdom Space Agency has received a mandate for the launch of 16 Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicles as part of a test campaign to review the capabilities of the rocket and to maximize the efficiency of launches. Subjective to each launch, the preceeding launches shall either resolve previous issues or have the prospect of an early completion of the Launch Fundamentals Testing (LFT) program and commit to small satellite launches for the UK and commercial partners.

XII. MISSION CONTROLX

Reference	Status	Launch Date	Launch System	Payload	Summary
LFT-01	Failed	November 1998	Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		Demonstration Launch to review launch capabilities.
LFT-02	Planning		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		Demonstration Launch to review launch capabilities.
LFT-03	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-04	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-05	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-06	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-07	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-08	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-09	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-10	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-11	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-12	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-13	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-14	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-15	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc
LFT-16	Future		Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle		tbc

XIII. EvaluationX
Pending Results

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[Jamie]

LFT-01 Preflight Checks
Security Classification: OFFICIAL

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Pad 1A is a small launch platform that, for the last two years, has been the focus of becoming operational within the newly founded United Kingdom Space Agency with the goal of launching rockets into space from the UK. Something that hadn't been done in decades, and was never re-attempted. Aiming to pioneer the way to space, a number of test launches are to be carried out to assess and expand options for space flight. An availability quantity of 16 Black Arrow Launch Platforms would provide apt, expendable testing to allow the ground teams to gather as much data as possible to support the next mission, and the mission after. Sat on the middle of the pad sat LFT-01, the designation for the 'Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle' which would be first to launch. Raised with a crane hired from the local city, the mention of space launches from Scotland was an intrigue to the locals as the mere presence was a welcome boost to the economy. Day in, day out, visitors from across the country came to the agencies launch site with the hope of seeing the rocket sat on the edge; or to get a glimpse of the launch with no exact date provided.

Although seemingly static on the launch site, plenty of work was going in the background as transmitters were getting set up to collate as much information as possible from any prospective launch - cameras configured to get a number of views or to track the craft as it lifted off... or explode, but the engineers remained optimistic. It was explained on the Space Agencies website that a number of launches would take place and whether a positive or negative outcome for the craft, it was all in the name of science. Fortunately, due to the nature of the testing, no payloads were to be included to minimize any risks or serious financial impacts.

Not much information was provided other than a launch towards the end of the month, but one thing that was rumored is a dress rehearsal of the launch. This would often consist of a start to finish run down of the procedure and a static fire test of the rocket to identify any potential issues premature of the launch date. Until then, regular trips to the launch site and consultations with engineers, scientists and mission control operators were taking place to confirm everything was ready for flight. After a few days, it was internally confirmed that the Pre-flight Checks were complete and the dress rehearsal could occur at any time now.

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[Jamie]

LFT-01 Static Fire
Security Classification: OFFICIAL

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After passing the half way mark for November, tension was growing among the more enthusiastic individuals who have spent the last week camping and been within close proximity to the launch center to hopefully witness the launch of LFT-01. During that time, construction was recorded of the final pillars put into place for the Medium Launch Pad which saw completion; officially designated Pad 2A - which is been prepared for launches of larger craft in the future following the conclusion of Launching Fundamentals Tests. Throughout the last two days, work has been intense with groups of people and vehicles back and forth between the mission control center and launchpad 1A but today, it was changing. The morning saw an unusually high amount of activity but by 1pm, it was quiet. No vehicles or people in sight from the fence line; which spanned miles from the actual launch platform for safety. A noticeable amount of police vehicles were patrolling across the fence; presumably to ensure no one had crossed over that could cause any concerns.

From the inside of mission control, it was a full rehearsal taking place. Employees of the Space Agency going through each procedure from start to finish as if a real launch, sharing information and ensuring high levels of communication was maintained. Throughout the early afternoon, activity was brewing around the launchpad, from the re-condenser, tank farm activity to the loading of propellant that could be picked up on from various indicators on the pad. For the next 30 minutes, nothing occurred. A sudden echoing of a siren was enough to startle anyone, before seeing a number of vents flow from the Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicle and the visible signs of an explosion at the base of the engine. Plumes of orange and red tinted smoke engulfed the rocket and moments later, the explosion was heard at the fence line. Watching in awe, the roar ended and minutes later the smoke was dissipating into the sky.

LFT-01 stood intact on the launch pad, indicating a successful static fire.

Work would continue in the background to gather data from the static fire test and a number of procedures to make the vehicle safe to prevent any risks to human safety if approached. Although early on, providing the data was promising, the launch could go ahead on the scheduled timeline.

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[Jamie]

LFT-01 Launch
Security Classification: OFFICIAL

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With a large number of assessments and reviews been carried out daily up until launch date, a few delays caused the launch to be pushed to the first week of December and confirmation from the United Kingdom Space Agency confirmed a launch date ... today! Preparations were all set and the mission control center was bursting with life as eager employee's of the UKSA waited in anticipation, much like those who had traveled from far around to watch the launch from the perimeter line which was ranged safe enough. Weather conditions were not ideal with a rain shower overhead but the risk and purpose of the experimentation launch led to the conclusion that the launch could go ahead despite these conditions. Everything was set, umbrellas covered the fence line and now all that was needed, was the launch.

"Sequence started, T Minus 9 minutes." confirmed the control room. For the next several minutes, it was back and forth chatter between the ground operators to confirm the GO/NO GO Launch status.

"Access Arm Clear of Vessel"

"Auxiliary Power Started"

"Profile Test Nominal"

T minus 3 minutes

"Vent Arm retracted"

"Ground to Internal Power"

T minus 30 seconds

"Launch Sequencer is nominal"

"Sound Suppression is nominal"

"Main Engine burn off activated"

T minus 0 seconds

"Main Engine, Start"

The first sight from the fence light was an eruption beneath the spacecraft at Pad 1A, plumes of orange and red tinted smoke blew up beneath the craft forcing it to begin it's ascent. Cameras clicking rapidly of the Black Arrow Launch Vehicle as it had left the ground and begun a journey upwards. The control room clapping at the initial success before resuming call outs.

"Flight Systems showing nominal"

"Engine Systems experiencing fluctuations, monitoring"

Other systems proved to be working as expected and the engine charts were beginning to be unpredictable. The aircraft had reached around 8km up before failures appeared on screen engine-related, those still watching the rocket saw a small, maintained explosion at the base of the engine. Seconds later, a larger explosion that engulfed the entire rocket. Smoke and flames dissipating into the sky as debris begun to fall out of the sky. Fortunately, this was at a safe distance from any populated areas but would no doubt cause damage for the launch pad. Moments later the sound of the explosion hit the spectators who had just witnessed the first launch of the Black Arrow ... followed by a rapid unscheduled disassembly.

The next few days would no doubt be a lot of analyzing of data to understand the issue, a clean up of the site and conduct any repairs.

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[Jamie]

LFT-02 Preflight Checks
Security Classification: OFFICIAL

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For the last few weeks, investigations had been taking place into the data that was collected from the failures of the LFT-01 launch that saw it erupt mid-flight, what the more space enthusiastic spectators are naming RUD, or Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly. An explanation was later released by the United Kingdom Space Agency that identified the cause as a leak on the engine that caused it to explode, something that had been tended to for the second launch that was to take place later this month. As part of this, checks were taking place on the other Black Arrow Orbital Launch Vehicles to ensure this was an isolated incident and not across the batch. The success of the assessment was permission to launch a second time. Utilizing the same launch pad, LFT-02 was erected and tests begun with a static fire in a few days time.

Those who were adoring of space launches or had merely missed the first attempt had already begun to book holidays and arrange time towards the end of the month to try to catch a glimpse of the launch in person. As before, no concrete dates were set but rough indications towards which month and whether it would be start, middle or end of said period.

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[Jamie]

LFT-02 LAUNCH
Security Classification: OFFICIAL

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With a number of delays and now special guests from Sweden present in the mission control room, it was launch day for LFT-02. Whilst a successful launch would be an outstanding amount of progress, it wasn't expected and the priority was the data that could be captured prior and during the ascent phase. Weather conditions were under continuous scrutiny but whilst wind speeds were acceptable, it had been raining all morning. Under normal conditions, this could see the flight scrubbed but due to the nature of the flight and the expected outcome, it was given the go ahead - with extra precautions and checks taking place. The control room operator gave his thumbs up to the Swedish guests and their tour guide to signal it was clear. Speaking into the microphone, everyone could hear the sequence of events take place.

"Sequence started, T Minus 25 minutes." confirmed the control room. For the next 25 minutes, safety checks continued. Security ensured no one was near the launch pad and system checks were carried out.
As time continued, call outs were made at set times.

"Access Arm Clear of Vessel"

"Auxiliary Power Started"

"Profile Test Nominal"

T minus 3 minutes

"Vent Arm retracted"

"Ground to Internal Power"

T minus 30 seconds

"Launch Sequencer is nominal"

"Sound Suppression is nominal"

"Main Engine burn off activated"

T minus 0 seconds

"Main Engine, Start"

The rain had caused quite a mist, meaning visibility from the fence line was poor; only brief parts of the rocket visible but the colours of the flames lit up well. Cameras in the control room were closer and visibility was much clearer. Moments after, the rocket begun to lift off and the sound eventually made it to the control room with the roar of the engines.
The launch phase was a pivotal point, and the success thus far warranted clapping in the control room with other operators focused on observing the instruments.

"Flight Systems showing nominal"

"Engine Systems nominal"

At this point on the prior launch, a fault had developed and was rectified for this particular mission. Already the UKSA had 'reached new heights' as it left the sight of the cameras, a bigger focus turned to the screens.

T plus 3 minutes 34 seconds

"All systems lost" were the words echoing through the control room as mission specialists rushed around to the different screens to gather information to understand what has or is happening. Instruments on the computers were showing no signs of life and with the rocket beyond visual range due to the weather, it couldn't be confirmed.

Ten minutes later and they had confirmed the loss of LFT-02, whilst it was not yet understood as to what happened due to no reported errors other than loss of power, investigations would need to take place.

Connor

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