SpaceX F9/Dragon 2 : CRS2 SpX-31 : KSC LC-39A : 4/5 November 2024 (02:29 UTC)

[AndrewM]

Discussion thread for SpaceX's 31st Commercial Resupply mission (SpX CRS-31).

Launch NET 5 November 2024 at 02:29:30 UTC (4 November 9:29 pm EST), from KSC LC-39A.  Cargo Dragon C208.5 will be launched by Falcon 9 first stage 1083-5.  First stage recovery will be at LZ-1.

Currently targeting launch in June 2024.

[AndrewM]

This mission was awarded as part of a 6 mission contract extension to the CRS2 contract in March 2022 covering missions through CRS-35 in 2026.

The 12 additional missions ordered – six each to Northrop Grumman and SpaceX – will provide resupply services to the station through 2026.

https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nasa-orders-additional-cargo-flights-to-space-station/

As of the FY2024 budget request in March 2023, launch was targeted for June 2024 (page 162, SO-34).

https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/nasa-fy-2024-cj-v3.pdf

[AndrewM]

Now targeting September 2024 according to the FY25 budget request (Congressional justification page 139, SO-27).

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Mission patch (showing Dragon C208 flying for a 5th time):

https://twitter.com/Yrouel86/status/1793355775772963144

[zubenelgenubi]

Given the successive LC-39A launch campaigns Starlink 10-9 => Starlink 10-6 => Crew-9 => Polaris Dawn (if there is time) => Europa Clipper:
I think this launch will be from SLC-40.

[AndrewM]

At the Crew-9 mission overview press conference [Jul 26], it was mentioned that this will be after the Soyuz rotation in September. That should put launch in the second half of the month.

[zubenelgenubi]

At the Crew-9 mission overview press conference [Jul 26], it was mentioned that this will be after the Soyuz rotation in September. That should put launch in the second half of the month.

My bold:

https://baikonurtour.ru/launches.html
Progress MS-26 launch - February 15, 2024;
Soyuz MS-25 launch - March 13, 2024;
Progress MS-27 launch - May 30, 2024;
Progress MS-28 launch - August 15, 2024;
Soyuz MS-26 launch -  September 11, 2024.

[gongora]

1447-EX-ST-2024

This STA is necessary to authorize the CCSFS LC-40 primary location for Dragon2 capsule telemetry and tracking for the upcoming SpaceX CRS-31 Commercial Resupply Mission to the International Space Station

[StraumliBlight]

NASA Adjusts Crew-9 Launch Date for Operational Flexibility [Aug 6]

NASA also will adjust the launch of SpaceX’s 31st commercial resupply services mission to no earlier than mid-October.

[AndrewM]

NXF now has this as October 16th at 10:00 UTC (6 am ET).

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6913

[Salo]

https://www.launchphotography.com/Launch_Viewing_Guide.html

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
...
A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-31 Cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 40 on late October around 12 a.m. EDT. 

[zubenelgenubi]

Change to approximate launch time; my bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, first update September 29:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October at 4-8 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the Hera asteroid rendezvous mission for the European Space Agency from pad 40 on October 7 at 10:52 a.m. EDT. The next Falcon Heavy will launch NASA's flagship Europa Clipper spacecraft to orbit around Jupiter from pad 39A on October 10 at 12:31 p.m. EDT (Saturn V Center tickets, SOLD OUT as of September 21). Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the Koreasat 6A communication satellite from pad 40 on late October. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-31 Cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS on late October around 1 a.m. EDT.

Edit/add: Mention of launch complex removed--launch could be the first from LC-39A after conversion to Falcon 9 configuration.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Change to approximate launch time; my bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, first update September 29:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October at 4-8 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch the Hera asteroid rendezvous mission for the European Space Agency from pad 40 on October 7 at 10:52 a.m. EDT. The next Falcon Heavy will launch NASA's flagship Europa Clipper spacecraft to orbit around Jupiter from pad 39A on October 10 at 12:31 p.m. EDT (Saturn V Center tickets, SOLD OUT as of September 21). Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the Koreasat 6A communication satellite from pad 40 on late October. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-31 Cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS on late October around 1 a.m. EDT.

And now he has:

A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-31 Cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS on October 30 at 12:49 a.m. EDT.

[StraumliBlight]

NASA Invites Media to SpaceX’s 31st Resupply Launch to Space Station

Media accreditation is open for the next launch to deliver NASA science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station. This launch is the 31st SpaceX commercial resupply services mission to the orbital laboratory for the agency and will lift off on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket.

NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than Wednesday, Oct. 30, to launch the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Credentialing to cover prelaunch and launch activities is open to U.S. media. The application deadline for U.S. citizens is 11:59 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Oct. 15.

[zubenelgenubi]

My bold; launch complex change:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated October 2:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Hera asteroid rendezvous mission for the European Space Agency from pad 40 on October 7 at 10:52 a.m. EDT. A Falcon Heavy will launch NASA's flagship Europa Clipper spacecraft to orbit Jupiter from pad 39A on October 10 at 12:31 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the Koreasat 6A communication satellite from pad 40 on late October TBD. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-31 Cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS from pad 39A on October 30 at 12:49 a.m. EDT.

[crandles57]

It seems Europa Clipper is delayed 13th Oct or later possibly depending on Hurricane Milton damage / weather / staff availability ...

How much time is needed to convert pad from FH format to cargo dragon? (IIRC pad needed to be available for change from 11 Sept for possible 10 Oct FH launch but perhaps it is quicker other way around?)

If there is (likely?) a conversion time problem, is move to SLC-40 or delay until pad 39A ready more likely?

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post:

ISS Research
@ISS_Research
Media, join us for launch!

The 31st SpaceX resupply mission to @Space_Station is set for no earlier than Oct 30. Testing cold welding and observing Antarctic moss in microgravity are a few experiment that will launch to space.

Deadline to apply is Oct 15. Details: http://go.nasa.gov/47ZYaHc

https://twitter.com/ISS_Research/status/1844434958976418041

[AndrewM]

I wonder when we will start to see a day for day slip with Crew-8 return given Crew-9 needs to perform a port relocation ahead of CRS-31 launching.

[zubenelgenubi]

My bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated October 14:

The next SpaceX Falcon Heavy will launch NASA's flagship Europa Clipper spacecraft to orbit Jupiter from pad 39A on October 14 at 12:06 p.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October 15 at 1:34-5:26 a.m. EDT. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on October 17 at 3:55-7:55 p.m. EDT. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch the CRS-31 Cargo Dragon resupply mission to the ISS on October 30 earliest, at 12:50 a.m. EDT. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch the Koreasat 6A communication satellite from pad 40 on early November.

[FutureSpaceTourist]