Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 01/08/2018 03:30 pmRecent events have caused me to consider petitioning that the first manned Dragon-2 be named 'CSS John Young'.Confederate Space Ship?
Recent events have caused me to consider petitioning that the first manned Dragon-2 be named 'CSS John Young'.
I don't go to Space.com web site anymore. If you do be careful of registering for comments, read the agreement. Any comments become Space.com's IP. You give up all your rights and IIRC this agreement is binding on your heirs.
Certain posters, if you have read carefully over time, have hinted something like this was likely.One can look at specific items that probably contributed, one being the requirement that SpaceX recertify with four parachutes instead of the original three. (Given the Starliner uses three I'm not sure I understand what went on here, personally).I'm just hoping we get to see the uncrewed flights from both providers this year. Assuming that happens and no major problems are raised, that'd be a great indicator of progress.
There were a long series of Dragon 2 parachute tests, maybe not actually related to the 3->4 swap.If you'll pardon wild speculation, I'd say they changed the parachutes (for better landing accuracy? For better commonality with fairing recovery parachutes?) around the same time propulsive landing was stripped from Dragon 2.
I really wonder what happened here that SpaceX's manned flight suddenly falls behind Boeing's flight :XI somehow doubt that Elon would be cool with it that Boeing gets to steal the show like that
...and a week later, NASA updates it's schedule:Boeing Orbital Flight Test (uncrewed): August 2018Boeing Crew Flight Test (crewed): November 2018SpaceX Demonstration Mission 1 (uncrewed): August 2018SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2 (crewed): December 2018https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2018/01/11/nasas-commercial-crew-program-target-test-flight-dates-2/#.Wld4oz5q1_U.twitterSo, 4 visiting vehicles in five months for ISS in addition to Dragon 1, Cygnus, Progress and Soyuz?Seems a bit crowded...
Quote from: NX-0 on 01/11/2018 02:12 pm...and a week later, NASA updates it's schedule:Boeing Orbital Flight Test (uncrewed): August 2018Boeing Crew Flight Test (crewed): November 2018SpaceX Demonstration Mission 1 (uncrewed): August 2018SpaceX Demonstration Mission 2 (crewed): December 2018https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2018/01/11/nasas-commercial-crew-program-target-test-flight-dates-2/#.Wld4oz5q1_U.twitterSo, 4 visiting vehicles in five months for ISS in addition to Dragon 1, Cygnus, Progress and Soyuz?Seems a bit crowded... Can they use the uncrewed flights to deliver consumables to the ISS, to save some room on crs flights?
While there are large uncertainties around the specific numbers resultingfrom the analysis, the primary risk drivers identified are the same for both commercial systems:• MMOD damage during docked phase (affects overall mission requirement)• Parachute performance (affects overall mission and ascent/entry requirements)
Quote from: Beittil on 01/11/2018 02:16 pmI really wonder what happened here that SpaceX's manned flight suddenly falls behind Boeing's flight :XI somehow doubt that Elon would be cool with it that Boeing gets to steal the show like that No, not Boeing stealing the show. NASA giving the "first" to Boeing. This has been suspected from day 1 of CCtCAP given that NASA ultimately decides when a CCP mission goes to fly.However, rest assured, a delay of Boeing's Crew Flight Test to 2019 is coming within the next few months.
Pressure from the congressional Georgia & Colorado (sorry, need to stop here for a second and just say that I have to use stupid words to get my point across. I know that means I must have a weak argument, but that's why I use bad words).s.
The ASAP Annual Report specifically calls out parachutes as one of the biggest program risks:QuoteWhile there are large uncertainties around the specific numbers resultingfrom the analysis, the primary risk drivers identified are the same for both commercial systems:• MMOD damage during docked phase (affects overall mission requirement)• Parachute performance (affects overall mission and ascent/entry requirements)It also has a discussion of the SpaceX COPV qualification, and mentions they are working on alternative helium tanks (sounds like not COPV) as a backup plan if the COPV redesign has trouble getting through qualification.
What does Boeing have to do with Georgia and Colorado? It's Lockheed Martin that's big in those states.