Y1:D109 – In an official press release, the KSC has identified this mornings A1 test pilot as Jebediah Kerman. They also report that while he was seriously injured in this mornings crash, he is presently in stable condition. Doctors are not yet ready to pronounce his chances of returning to duty.

All KSC operations, aside from maintaining missions in progress, have been suspended. As a result, Venture 5 did launch according to schedule today, and we’ll be covering it in another story.

Rumors are already circulating as to what effect this may have on the upcoming Hermes test flight, with some speculating it may be postponed while others expect it will go ahead as planned crewed by the backup pilot Valentina Kerman.