Will PMA 3 ever be used again? All of the dockings have been on PMA 2 located on the front of the ISS.
What is the purpose of the crooked shape of the adapter? Also, if applied to a port on the plane of the deck (not a zenith or nadir port) does it always have the same orientation and why?
I'd be more interested to know if it's possible to move PMA3 to Node3 Forward, and if there's enough clearance to fit a "lifeboat" Dragon equiped with APAS in the space between Tranquility and Kibo.
Quote from: Sparky on 02/16/2010 03:48 pmI'd be more interested to know if it's possible to move PMA3 to Node3 Forward, and if there's enough clearance to fit a "lifeboat" Dragon equiped with APAS in the space between Tranquility and Kibo.Space to fit it in isn't the issue. It couldn't work because the approach and departure path for the Dragon would be thru the JEM.
Quote from: JayP on 02/17/2010 02:32 amQuote from: Sparky on 02/16/2010 03:48 pmI'd be more interested to know if it's possible to move PMA3 to Node3 Forward, and if there's enough clearance to fit a "lifeboat" Dragon equiped with APAS in the space between Tranquility and Kibo.Space to fit it in isn't the issue. It couldn't work because the approach and departure path for the Dragon would be thru the JEM.For approach and docking, you could use the SRMS, but is Dragon really not maneuverable enough to backup by a few feet, and use its maneuvering thrusters to move down?
Then again, what about Node 3 Zenith? Does Tranquility stick out far enough that the Z1 truss isn't an issue?
Quote from: Sparky on 02/17/2010 03:38 amThen again, what about Node 3 Zenith? Does Tranquility stick out far enough that the Z1 truss isn't an issue?Z1 was never going to be an issue. The Ku band antenna on the Z1, and the main truss, would be.
, but is Dragon really not maneuverable enough to backup by a few feet, and use its maneuvering thrusters to move down?
Even with the PMA's "crookedness" aligned so Dragon is further aft?Also, does anyone know if Dragon is capable of retracting its solar panels after they've been deployed?
It has no crew to maneuver it
It has not been determined whether Dragon is going to use the PMA's
Quote from: Jim on 02/17/2010 10:31 amIt has no crew to maneuver itI think he was talking about the proposed crew-version. Quote from: Jim on 02/17/2010 10:33 amIt has not been determined whether Dragon is going to use the PMA'sFrom all I heard and based on SpaceX own website it will use CBM, which is most likely since that's the only port they can use if they want to transport whole racks.
For approach and docking, you could use the SRMS
Quote from: Sparky on 02/17/2010 03:38 amFor approach and docking, you could use the SRMSDoes Dragon even have a grapple fixture for SSRMS? Where is it? Sensor bay maybe?More on-topic... If any of the potential commercial spacecraft are to use LIDS, how would that be accommodated on ISS? Would it be an APAS/LIDS adapter for PMA2/3, or would it be a new PMA for CBM/LIDS, and how would this hardware be delivered to the ISS?
From all I heard and based on SpaceX own website it will use CBM, which is most likely since that's the only port they can use if they want to transport whole racks.
Does Dragon even have a grapple fixture for SSRMS? Where is it? Sensor bay maybe?
Quote from: arkaska on 02/17/2010 10:53 amQuote from: Jim on 02/17/2010 10:31 amIt has no crew to maneuver itI think he was talking about the proposed crew-version.
Quote from: Jim on 02/17/2010 10:31 amIt has no crew to maneuver itI think he was talking about the proposed crew-version.
Quote from: arkaska on 02/17/2010 10:53 amQuote from: Jim on 02/17/2010 10:33 amIt has not been determined whether Dragon is going to use the PMA'sFrom all I heard and based on SpaceX own website it will use CBM, which is most likely since that's the only port they can use if they want to transport whole racks.I think he was talking about the proposed crew version, which might switch to LIDS.
Quote from: Jim on 02/17/2010 10:33 amIt has not been determined whether Dragon is going to use the PMA'sFrom all I heard and based on SpaceX own website it will use CBM, which is most likely since that's the only port they can use if they want to transport whole racks.