This is fairly low probability, but another thing I wonder about is the ambient temperature the Falcon 9 will be launching in -- it's going to get pretty close to freezing at the Cape over the next few days, and I don't think any of their prior launches have been in ambient temperatures this cold. Perhaps there's some possibility that one of the subsystems may not perform as expected in those conditions? Low probability, but then again, there was the saltwater corrosion issue which downed a prior launch.
My greatest hope is that Falcon 9 has a smooth flight. No liftoff roll and no second stage roll and also a correct insertion. To me this launch is just as important for Falcon 9 as for Dragon. If there are no flaws in the launcher Spacex moves alot closer to making Falcon 9 operational. Remember, They are launching an armed forces satelitte on this launch as well as Dragon. A successful cubesat deployment and a perfect Falcon 9 flight goes a long way to convincing potential customers that the launcher has what it takes.
Thought I'd read just about everything there was but I missed this one. Could you post the link about the cubesat please?
http://www.spacenews.com/military/100408-nro-taps-boeing-next-cubesats.html
I have never heard of wafer cubsat rideshare system. It sounds amazing. Anyone got any pics of it?
The Wafer adapter, in development with LoadPath LLC, will accommodate eight 3U CubeSat dispensers, e.g. P-PODs, four 6U CubeSat dispensers, or other combinations of 3U and 6U dispensers. This modular MPA features a 38.8-inch-diameter primary interface and is sized for Falcon 1e, Minotaur 1, Taurus, and Pegasus.
To me, the highest-risk issues in the mission are as follows:1) In-space manoeuvring - Can the Dragon be manoeuvred into the correct alignments for various Draco burns and kept stable during orbit and re-entry?2) In-space communications - Will SpaceX be able to maintain telemetry down-link and control up-link throughout orbit? How quickly can SpaceX regain full contact if there are any LOS events (planned or otherwise)?3) Parachute deployment and recovery - Whilst SpaceX has tested these systems and proceedures, it has not tested them at the high velocities that Dragon-1 will experience in Tuesday's flight. A lot can be predicted and planned for but, in the end, this is going to be the first real test of SpaceX's models against actual trans-sonic aerodynamics.
1 & 2 are not big deals. 1# is not manoeuvrings, I believe you mean does the GNC system work vs the thruster systems.2# it communicates on the ground. It doesn't use steerable antennas. The comm worked for the first launch of the F9.
You know SpaceX is getting closer to reality when Jim sounds marginally bullish about a SpaceX launch.
I wonder how much work has been put into the controls analysis of this unique configuration of spacecraft vs the normal Dragon.