The first launch of a 2.5m rocket from the KSC will carry aloft the new Mk1-2 command pod, unkerbed, so it can be put through trials in orbit and test its heat shield and parachute deployment on re-entry. Already tested on the ground, both the new 3-Bearcat lifter cluster and the orbital Service Propulsion System will see their first flights as well.

Although orbital testing went extremely well, it appears that re-entry did not. Mission Control detected a brief signal from the capsule, which means its antenna was most likely ripped off shortly after deployment. While the capsule appears to have survived re-entry, either the parachutes did not deploy or they did not deply fully enough to slow the capsule prior to antenna deployment. It is unclear at this time whether the capsule survived landing, our LZ was overshot and recovery vessels are relocating to search the new landing zone.