Author Topic: NASA, Boeing, SpaceX Discuss Plan for Launching American Astronauts from US (Read 129845 times)

The Amazing Catstronaut · « **Reply #40 on:** 01/26/2015 04:31 pm »

Apparently this is a "quiet" time for SpaceX right now...

Star One · « **Reply #41 on:** 01/26/2015 04:31 pm »

Certifying water landing first then propulsive landing later for Dragon.

Largely finished pad abort system.

Uncrewed late 2016, crewed mission early 2017.

mlindner · « **Reply #42 on:** 01/26/2015 04:33 pm »

Picture ready of the pad abort vehicle. Will upload it or tweet it later. - Gwynne

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #43 on:** 01/26/2015 04:33 pm »

Integrated launch abort system for full abort through ascent, and fully propulsive landing.

Initially on parachutes on water. Fully propulsive in the interest of Astros. Mentioned Ellington Field.

50 Falcon 9 missions before crew riding atop.

Largely completed the pad abort system. No photo, but will tweet it out. Pad abort test in the next month or so from the Cape.

In flight abort later this year. Environmental hurdles to overcome.

Uncrewed mission in 2016. Then crewed flight in 2017.

MattMason · « **Reply #44 on:** 01/26/2015 04:33 pm »

Earlier crewed flight tests for SpaceX than Boeing, in late 2016 with manned flight expected in early 2017. Your mileage may vary.

arachnitect · « **Reply #45 on:** 01/26/2015 04:37 pm »

Houston Chronicle: When will NASA pick first provider?

Lueders: First mission Authority To Proceed will be Boeing mission.

arachnitect · « **Reply #46 on:** 01/26/2015 04:38 pm »

Average seat cost $58M per seat.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #47 on:** 01/26/2015 04:40 pm »

Bolden "We've not mentioned Mars for at least five minutes. MARS!!!" (Not really, but seemed like that)

MattMason · « **Reply #48 on:** 01/26/2015 04:41 pm »

After a question on the far-future of commercial LEO progress...a very far-reaching futurist question, Bolden stepped in to cite the Mars mission goal, emphasizing a 2024 benchmark to get there.

arachnitect · « **Reply #49 on:** 01/26/2015 04:42 pm »

Bolden "the world of LEO belongs to industry"

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #50 on:** 01/26/2015 04:42 pm »

Intimating that 10 years is enough for proving commercial LEO. And then notes Bigelow will likely be the next ISS.

MattMason · « **Reply #51 on:** 01/26/2015 04:43 pm »

Bolden specifically mentioned Bigelow's modules. First time outside of BEAM that NASA may be showing serious interest on these systems.

grakenverb · « **Reply #52 on:** 01/26/2015 04:44 pm »

Bolden saying that Bigelow space station may be a replacement for ISS someday.

The Amazing Catstronaut · « **Reply #53 on:** 01/26/2015 04:44 pm »

Bolden believes without an LEO infrastructure led by industry, NASA isn't going to Mars.

arachnitect · « **Reply #54 on:** 01/26/2015 04:45 pm »

Spaceflightnow: "Can you talk about price per seat with 4 crew?"

Spacex: "pricing not substantially different from cargo program"
Boeing: "Less than [Soyuz]."

abaddon · « **Reply #55 on:** 01/26/2015 04:46 pm »

Gwynne notes that Dragon should be able to carry 5 crew while still carrying the full cargo that NASA requires. Unclear why that is relevant unless NASA plans to take advantage of that, which would presumably require upping the crew to 8 for an extended period of time...

arachnitect · « **Reply #56 on:** 01/26/2015 04:46 pm »

Boeing mission simulator will be at JSC. Ingress/Egress, water egress simulators will be at JSC.

Spacex hybrid approach with training at both JSC and Hawethorne

arachnitect · « **Reply #57 on:** 01/26/2015 04:48 pm »

Lueders reiterates desire to have 2 "robust" providers

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #58 on:** 01/26/2015 04:48 pm »

Bolden doesn't ever want to write another check to Roscosmos.

Star One · « **Reply #59 on:** 01/26/2015 04:49 pm »

Quote from: arachnitect on 01/26/2015 04:45 pm

Spaceflightnow: "Can you talk about price per seat with 4 crew?"

Spacex: "pricing not substantially different from cargo program"
Boeing: "Less than [Soyuz]."

Thanks I missed that I had thought he didn't answer that.