Quote from: luke strawwalker on 08/26/2011 03:08 amA protracted standdown of Progress could be serious from a reboost perspective, since it's the tanker for the reboost fuel. IIRC ATV/HTV doesn't have that capability to act as a tanker, correct?? As Jim pointed out, developing the capability for another spacecraft to act as a tanker would take at least 18 months... would ISS be in danger of being back in the atmosphere in that length of time?? A simple answer; no. This was adressed in various meetings and press briefings.
A protracted standdown of Progress could be serious from a reboost perspective, since it's the tanker for the reboost fuel. IIRC ATV/HTV doesn't have that capability to act as a tanker, correct?? As Jim pointed out, developing the capability for another spacecraft to act as a tanker would take at least 18 months... would ISS be in danger of being back in the atmosphere in that length of time??
No idea if this works, but why not offer the experience and services of the NASA centers for free. Send them 100 of the best NASA engineers and free access to the supercomputers, wind tunnels, test ranges, etc...
No, what?? No ATV/HTV cannot act as tankers??
Quote from: apace on 08/25/2011 04:56 pmNo idea if this works, but why not offer the experience and services of the NASA centers for free. Send them 100 of the best NASA engineers and free access to the supercomputers, wind tunnels, test ranges, etc...Please, please, please don't help them! 100 greybeards with access to supercomputers and wind tunnels would gum up the works massively.As suggested elsewhere, the only ways I can see for NASA to help SpaceX launch as early as possible is to: 1) Keep focused on the software upgrades to the SSRMS. That is, dedicate the ground and on-orbit manpower to complete the software tests, even if it is at the expense of other tasks, and 2) Buy from SpaceX the cargo positions currently planned for the two Orbcomm test satellites. We have read that these secondary payloads and the flight plan to carry them are only remaining issues holding up approval for the upcoming flight. Removing the payloads and having the F-9 second stage do a quick deorbit from below the ISS altitude should for allow the COTS-2 flight to incorporate the COTS-3 elements and actually rendezvous with the ISS, be berthed, and deliver some cargo. SpaceX has demonstrated with Ratsat that they can quickly make mass models to replace cargo, (Falcon-1 flight 4) and as a commercial entity, there is some price at which they would agree to do this.(edit for grammar)
Quote from: Comga on 08/26/2011 04:09 amQuote from: apace on 08/25/2011 04:56 pmNo idea if this works, but why not offer the experience and services of the NASA centers for free. Send them 100 of the best NASA engineers and free access to the supercomputers, wind tunnels, test ranges, etc...Please, please, please don't help them! 100 greybeards with access to supercomputers and wind tunnels would gum up the works massively.As suggested elsewhere, the only ways I can see for NASA to help SpaceX launch as early as possible is to: 1) Keep focused on the software upgrades to the SSRMS. That is, dedicate the ground and on-orbit manpower to complete the software tests, even if it is at the expense of other tasks, and 2) Buy from SpaceX the cargo positions currently planned for the two Orbcomm test satellites. We have read that these secondary payloads and the flight plan to carry them are only remaining issues holding up approval for the upcoming flight. Removing the payloads and having the F-9 second stage do a quick deorbit from below the ISS altitude should for allow the COTS-2 flight to incorporate the COTS-3 elements and actually rendezvous with the ISS, be berthed, and deliver some cargo. SpaceX has demonstrated with Ratsat that they can quickly make mass models to replace cargo, (Falcon-1 flight 4) and as a commercial entity, there is some price at which they would agree to do this.(edit for grammar)Why SpaceX in particular, when there are four other options there, some in more advanced states.
Quote from: apace on 08/25/2011 04:56 pmNo idea if this works, but why not offer the experience and services of the NASA centers for free. Send them 100 of the best NASA engineers and free access to the supercomputers, wind tunnels, test ranges, etc...Please, please, please don't help them! 100 greybeards with access to supercomputers and wind tunnels would gum up the works massively.
In more advanced states for delivering cargo to ISS? The launch is in about 3 months, the only thing that could be closer to a flight to ISS is another Russian vehicle of some sort.
Quote from: Robotbeat on 08/26/2011 07:52 pmIn more advanced states for delivering cargo to ISS? The launch is in about 3 months, the only thing that could be closer to a flight to ISS is another Russian vehicle of some sort.If the rumours are right, then launch is now actually 5 (five) months away.
Quote from: beb on 08/25/2011 12:17 pmQuote from: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2011 11:40 pmWhich of the commercial companies have said they could accelerate their crew schedule with additional money?I just don't remember ever seeing such statements. If they have, great - would like to see them.Exactly. There are some processes you just can't speed up by throwing money at it.Remember though, at least for commercial crew, they're getting less money, and much slower than was originally intended. It's true that some things can't be accelerated with additional money, but they can be decelerated by insufficient money, and restoring that money can accelerate their pace compared to what they could do with the more limited resources.
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 08/24/2011 11:40 pmWhich of the commercial companies have said they could accelerate their crew schedule with additional money?I just don't remember ever seeing such statements. If they have, great - would like to see them.Exactly. There are some processes you just can't speed up by throwing money at it.
Which of the commercial companies have said they could accelerate their crew schedule with additional money?I just don't remember ever seeing such statements. If they have, great - would like to see them.