Quote from: cppetrie on 07/06/2017 12:25 amI think there is a decent chance that OTV-5 at the end of August could be the first launch out of 40 assuming the public timeline of August holds. It's an Air Force payload and perhaps they'd like it to launch off their base.They will install vertical integration capabilities at LC-39A. So it seems this is not a concern for the Airforce.
I think there is a decent chance that OTV-5 at the end of August could be the first launch out of 40 assuming the public timeline of August holds. It's an Air Force payload and perhaps they'd like it to launch off their base.
Quote from: guckyfan on 07/06/2017 07:57 amQuote from: cppetrie on 07/06/2017 12:25 amI think there is a decent chance that OTV-5 at the end of August could be the first launch out of 40 assuming the public timeline of August holds. It's an Air Force payload and perhaps they'd like it to launch off their base.They will install vertical integration capabilities at LC-39A. So it seems this is not a concern for the Airforce.LC40 might not be ready for CRS-12, but maybe by August 10 SpaceX can make a safe bet on it being ready for the X37-B launch, which is scheduled for end of August. If so, they can start FH related construction work on LC39 immediately after the CRS-12 launch, which reduces the LC39A "downtime" loss by a good 3 weeks or so, compared to if they have to first launch X37-B from LC39A too, at the end of August.So bottomline, on August 10 SpaceX will probably have to make a call on whether they have enough faith that LC40 will be up in running by end of August to take LC39A down for upgrade work. That would probably be the ideal scenario.
Hi Everyone,Might be the wrong place to post this as this thread appears to be mission related but here goes!My family and I will be in Florida from August 10th - 24th (apart from 19th-21st when we will be in Nashville for the eclipse) and I would really love to see a launch. I just noticed that this flight is scheduled for Aug 10th so...What would be the best resource for:1. tracking launch manifests (I am using spaceflightnow.com at the moment which seems to be very good.2. info about launch 'viewing areas' - do we need to find one? Do we need tickets or what? I reckon you'd be able to see this for many miles away so might not be necessary3. more info - as a launch virgin I really have no idea what to expect apart from last minute scrubs and plenty of dark looks from my family...4. Are we expecting this to be a stage 1 return mission (are they all from now on?) and if so, when do we find out where they will try and land it - it would be great to see it land back on the pad!If this post is in the wrong place and admin want to move it to a more appropriate area I quite understand.Cheers from the UKIain
Will CRS-12 be a new build or is it a Dragon that has previously flown (like CRS-11)?
Quote from: deptrai on 07/17/2017 07:10 pmWill CRS-12 be a new build or is it a Dragon that has previously flown (like CRS-11)?It will be Dragon SN C113. This might be the last new Dragon v1 ever made. There are reports that the Dragon v1 production line is now closed.
Quote from: jpo234 on 07/17/2017 07:23 pmQuote from: deptrai on 07/17/2017 07:10 pmWill CRS-12 be a new build or is it a Dragon that has previously flown (like CRS-11)?It will be Dragon SN C113. This might be the last new Dragon v1 ever made. There are reports that the Dragon v1 production line is now closed.If true, I'd assume SpaceX will thus rely on reused Dragons for the rest of CRS Phase 1? It was my understanding that Phase 1 would utilize Dragon 1 throughout all missions. SpaceX has 9 more CRS 1 missions to fly, following 2015's add-ons.
thus, what basically has been shut down is the production line for Dragon 1 pressure hulls. This is due to SpaceX needing the tooling for the (slightly) different pressure hulls of Dragon 2 (aka Crew Dragon).The rest of the Dragon 1 production line has NOT been shut down. Dragon 1 requires substantial refurbishment for re-use and the production lines for several components (that need replacing after each mission) are up-and-running for 8 more CRS 1 missions to come.
Quote from: woods170 on 07/18/2017 08:12 amthus, what basically has been shut down is the production line for Dragon 1 pressure hulls. This is due to SpaceX needing the tooling for the (slightly) different pressure hulls of Dragon 2 (aka Crew Dragon).The rest of the Dragon 1 production line has NOT been shut down. Dragon 1 requires substantial refurbishment for re-use and the production lines for several components (that need replacing after each mission) are up-and-running for 8 more CRS 1 missions to come.The first reflown Dragon needed substantial refurbishment. Just like the first reflown F9 stage. I believe they have learned from it and subsequent refurbishments will be less substantial, though not down to just ínspection.
It's not the same at all. Reuse of Dragon 1 will always need substantial work, since major components are replaced. (including the heat shield and all the entire exterior coverings)
Quote from: Lars-J on 07/18/2017 04:16 pmIt's not the same at all. Reuse of Dragon 1 will always need substantial work, since major components are replaced. (including the heat shield and all the entire exterior coverings)I thought the heat shield was good for multiple reentries.
Quote from: guckyfan on 07/18/2017 08:26 amQuote from: woods170 on 07/18/2017 08:12 amthus, what basically has been shut down is the production line for Dragon 1 pressure hulls. This is due to SpaceX needing the tooling for the (slightly) different pressure hulls of Dragon 2 (aka Crew Dragon).The rest of the Dragon 1 production line has NOT been shut down. Dragon 1 requires substantial refurbishment for re-use and the production lines for several components (that need replacing after each mission) are up-and-running for 8 more CRS 1 missions to come.The first reflown Dragon needed substantial refurbishment. Just like the first reflown F9 stage. I believe they have learned from it and subsequent refurbishments will be less substantial, though not down to just ínspection.It's not the same at all. Reuse of Dragon 1 will always need substantial work, since major components are replaced. (including the heat shield and all the entire exterior coverings)
I ask because if an extensive refurbishment is required for the Dragon 1 with its protective heat sheild and outer covering, then what does that say about the the asperations that SpaceX has for reusing the F9 2nd stage?
Quote from: Lars-J on 07/18/2017 04:16 pmQuote from: guckyfan on 07/18/2017 08:26 amQuote from: woods170 on 07/18/2017 08:12 amthus, what basically has been shut down is the production line for Dragon 1 pressure hulls. This is due to SpaceX needing the tooling for the (slightly) different pressure hulls of Dragon 2 (aka Crew Dragon).The rest of the Dragon 1 production line has NOT been shut down. Dragon 1 requires substantial refurbishment for re-use and the production lines for several components (that need replacing after each mission) are up-and-running for 8 more CRS 1 missions to come.The first reflown Dragon needed substantial refurbishment. Just like the first reflown F9 stage. I believe they have learned from it and subsequent refurbishments will be less substantial, though not down to just ínspection.It's not the same at all. Reuse of Dragon 1 will always need substantial work, since major components are replaced. (including the heat shield and all the entire exterior coverings)Is the need for extensive refurbishment due to water only.I ask because if an extensive refurbishment is required for the Dragon 1 with its protective heat sheild and outer covering, then what does that say about the the asperations that SpaceX has for reusing the F9 2nd stage?
Quote from: vaporcobra on 07/18/2017 06:46 pmBasically. Saltwater is not kind to aerospace hardware. Saltwater intrusion and corrosion are effectively unassailable barriers to cost-effective refurbishment and rapid reuse.This is why I don't understand how they re-used Draco Thrusters.
Basically. Saltwater is not kind to aerospace hardware. Saltwater intrusion and corrosion are effectively unassailable barriers to cost-effective refurbishment and rapid reuse.
Tweet from Jeff Foust:Quote[Andrew Rush, Made In Space]: have built and qualified a pilot mfg facility for high-quality ZBLAN optical fibers. Scheduled to fly to ISS on SpX-13. #ISSRDC
[Andrew Rush, Made In Space]: have built and qualified a pilot mfg facility for high-quality ZBLAN optical fibers. Scheduled to fly to ISS on SpX-13. #ISSRDC
“The Kestrel Eye is due to launch from Cape Canaveral very soon as part of the International Space Station cargo resupply mission,” according to Lieutenant General James Dickinson, head of US Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT).