In 1 day and 14 hours we will launch our space capsule Tycho Deep Space. I hope you will follow this test live here on Wired.com. Stay tuned!

In space flight, only one thing is certain: no matter the result, it always looks cool!

Space flightor rocketry is a special discipline where all your long hours of work are put to a final test of complete destruction or success. This test is no different. We intend to launch the 500 kg capsule using the Launch Escape System, an 80 kN engine capable of pulling the capsule to a height of approx. 1.4 km, releasing it for drogue and main parachute deployment and finally a splashdown on water.

As the Flight Director I have the privilege of not only controlling the operation at sea but also operating all flight events. So, I may also be the cause of complete failure if I manage to mess up the flight events. The factor of human error is huge in this mission.

LES engine assembled at Space Port Nexoe. Image: Kristian von Bengtson

The flight events are as follows: - LES engine ignition (launch) - LES system separation at apogee, estimated by FIDO or flight visual - Capsule drogue deployment - Capsule drogue release and main chute deployment - Main chute release after splash down - Capsule uprighting system

Nominal flight events. Image: Kristian von Bengtson

All flight events are vital for the result of this operation. And many questions to be answered on launch day.

Trajectory

Read more:

How the DIY Space Capsule Test Could Fail