LIVE: SpaceX Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) FD5+ (DOCKED OPS) UPDATES

[Nomadd]

I was on the ARS design team at Boeing back in the 90's when our group came up with the idea of using Drager tubes for pre-entry module air sampling. I recall our NASA counterparts being less than thrilled with the idea, but it's worked out well in practice.

 Probably for the same reason we still use them in disaster response. There are dozens of electronic samplers for all sorts of agents, but the Drager tubes are still the simplest and most reliable. There's almost no way they can malfunction when used right.

[Chris Bergin]

10 mins to the presser (not a MSB).

Then a Chinese launch again, as they are clearly feeling left out!

[Chris Bergin]

[Alpha Control]

Great intro music again. Very inspiring.

Only bettered by the Nasa TV promo by the Robot from Lost in Space that immediately preceded the presser into! 

[Chris Bergin]

The big red fluffy Dragon is back on console!

"IT'S SO FLUFFY!!"

[Pedantic Twit]

Did I spy a cake next to the red dragon? 

[Chris Bergin]

Enter the Dragon (Oh, it's been done)

[Chandonn]

Well, we know Dragon fits at least 3 comfortably 

[Chris Bergin]

Robert on first asking about if they would fly in Dragon.

Don would. More room than Soyuz.

On History.

Don was focused on ops. Same as an EVA, more focused on the job.

Philip for us on! Asking about night time grapple.

Don notes stray light and Dragon being snow white, it was quiet nice for visibility.  No shadows was good.

Upcoming robotics! (Oh, nice one!)

Don, None avoiding the crew. SSRMS can be operated from the ground. Planning to walk the arm off and MSB to do some operations (So Dextre work is on! Nice one Philip! )

[ras391]

I am sorry if this was asked before, but I can not find it. When Don entered the Dragon he wore a surgical mask, Oleg wore a filtered mask. Can someone give me a reason? If this is the wrong place to ask, please remove and advise. Thank you.

[Chris Bergin]

Andre talking about the planet on a specific fish related question.
Journalist seems to be fishing for an angle. (Thanks everyone )

Sky News (UK) on the phone! Oops, they don't know the format, they think they have a live opportunity.

[Chris Bergin]

This is indeed live on Sky News. They really don't understand the format as they are treating it like this is an event just for them

Don talking about the grapple.

Then don't get a second question, which they thought they were getting.

[psloss]

Sky News (UK) on the phone! Oops, they don't know the format, they think they have a live opportunity.

Definitely one of the advantages of being here -- we get to cut in front of that "stuff."

[Space Man Spiff]

Why is Sky still on the line?  I would imagine the controller would be able to cut them.

edit:  looks like they were, finally

[swervin]

...someone at PA needs to cut the friggin' link to the UK!!!! Bollocks!