SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - Dragon - CRS-5/SpX-5 - January 6, 2015 - UPDATE THREAD

[Chris Bergin]

UPDATE THREAD for CRS-5/SpX-5. Any posts that are not updates will be removed. Other threads are available, see below.

Falcon 9 v1.1/Dragon Launch December 16 (NET). This is not a confirmed date due to review of cargo post Antares/Cygnus loss.

Resources:

SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0

SpaceX News Articles (Recent):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/

=--=

SpaceX GENERAL Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=45.0 - please use this for general questions NOT specific to this mission.

SpaceX MISSIONS Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0 - this section is for everything specific to SpaceX missions.

SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - CRS-5/SpX-5 DISCUSSION THREAD:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35853.0

Party Thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35861.0

=--=

L2 Members:

L2 SpaceX Section - now a dedicated full section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0

Dedicated L2 CRS-5/SpX-5:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35739.0

[Chris Bergin]

As I've noted in the Soyuz article, CRS-5 Dragon is pending the confirmed launch date due to review of Cargo post-Cygnus loss. Per L2, the current plan is for a Static Fire on December 2.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/11/soyuz-tma-13m-crew-earth/

[Steven Pietrobon]

If the launch does occur on 9 December, it will be at 22:15 UTC (17:15 EST) according to

http://msdb.gsfc.nasa.gov/launches.php

[Lars-J]

SpaceX tweeted a picture celebrating Veterans day  - and I we can see the CRS-5 first stage up in the left corner.

[Chris Bergin]

OK, so L2 has the NET target now looking at the second half of December.

I'm not posting the NET date and back up dates in here (public) just yet as I did ask SpaceX and they said they don't have a firm NET just yet, so the new NETs may still change....SpaceX did say when they know for sure, they'll let us know.

Also remember, December 9 was always a planning date, one that became very much subject to change via the noted impact of NASA working out priority stuff to go uphill, following the loss of Cygnus CRS-3.

I'm posting the above at least, as I know a lot of people are planning on going to the launch and need to be aware if they are booking flights, etc.

[Chris Bergin]

Here you go, chaps and chapess:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/11/crs-5-dragon-mission-iss-evaluating-december-target/

Running as it's on FPIP, so that's ISS master schedule and good enough to run with.

[Chris Bergin]

And now official:

Date: Dec. 16, 2014 -- 2:31 p.m. Eastern

[jabe]

new pic from Elon's recent tweet
jb
edit:added pic

[mr. mark]

SpaceX Landing Barge!

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/11/spacex-autonomous-spaceport-drone-ship/

[Comga]

SpaceX Landing Barge!
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/11/spacex-autonomous-spaceport-drone-ship/

And discussion of the Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship (ASDS) goes here to keep this thread focused on CRS-5 updates.

[jacqmans]

November 26, 2014

NASA Coverage Set for Fifth SpaceX Resupply Mission to Space Station

The fifth SpaceX cargo mission to the International Space Station (ISS) under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract is scheduled to launch Tuesday, Dec. 16, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA Television coverage of the launch begins at 1:15 p.m. EST.

The company's Falcon 9 rocket will lift off at 2:31 p.m., carrying its Dragon cargo spacecraft. It is loaded with more than 3,700 pounds of scientific experiments, technology demonstrations and supplies, including critical materials to support 256 science and research investigations that will take place on the space station during ISS Expeditions 42 and 43.

In addition to launch coverage, NASA also will host a series of prelaunch news conferences Monday, Dec. 15 at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. All briefings, which are subject to a change in time, will air live on NASA TV and the agency's website.

The mission, designated SpaceX CRS-5, is the fifth of 12 SpaceX flights NASA contracted with the company to resupply the space station. It will be the sixth trip by a Dragon spacecraft to the orbiting laboratory.

The science research aboard the Dragon includes the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS), which will characterize and measure the worldwide distribution of clouds and aerosols -- the tiny particles that make up haze, dust, air pollutants and smoke; model organism research using fruit flies to study the biological effects of spaceflight; and, a new study using flatworms to better understand wound healing in space.

During panel discussions Monday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., scientists and researchers will discuss the onboard science and research studies, including CATS and supplies for research on the risks of in-flight infections in astronauts, as well as research on degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's.

The series of briefings Monday will conclude with a prelaunch news conference at 2 p.m. A post-launch briefing will be held approximately 90 minutes after liftoff Tuesday.

NASA TV also will provide live coverage of the arrival of the Dragon cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station Thursday, Dec. 18. Grapple and berthing coverage will begin at about 4:30 a.m. with grapple at approximately 6 a.m. Berthing coverage begins at 7:30 a.m.

The Dragon spacecraft will remain attached to the space station's Harmony module for more than four weeks and then splash down in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Baja California, bringing with it almost two tons of experiment samples and equipment from the station.

Media may request accreditation to attend the prelaunch news conferences, events and launch online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

The deadline for U.S. media to apply for accreditation is 5 p.m. Dec. 8. The application deadline has passed for international media. Media credentials will be valid for mission activities from launch through splashdown at Kennedy and at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

For more information about media accreditation, contact Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598 or [email protected].

For an updated schedule of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/1FrjDEO

For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about the mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/spacex

For NASA TV schedule and video streaming information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

For video b-roll and other International Space Station media resources, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/stationnews

For more information about the International Space Station, research in low-Earth orbit, NASA's commercial space programs, and the future of American spaceflight, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration

[Chris Bergin]

Per L2, the schedule shows the Static Fire will be today....but we're waiting to see if she goes to the pad, as the static fire date didn't change despite the launch date movement, so it could be lacking an update. Will keep an eye on it.

[Chris Bergin]

SpaceX doesn't want to give a date (I asked), but it won't be until at least next week for the Static Fire.

[Chris Bergin]

Static Fire on the 13th on the L2 schedules....has jumped around a bit, but looks like it's focusing on that date now.

[Fuji]

CATS Brochure
http://cats.gsfc.nasa.gov/media/docs/ISS-CATS_Final_508.pdf

[jacqmans]

December 9, 2014

NASA Updates Briefings for Fifth SpaceX Resupply Mission to Space Station


The fifth SpaceX cargo mission to the International Space Station (ISS) under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract is scheduled to launch at 2:31 p.m. EST Tuesday, Dec. 16, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA Television coverage of the launch begins at 1:15 p.m.

NASA will host a series of prelaunch news conferences Monday, Dec. 15 at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. All briefings, which are subject to a change in time, will air live on NASA TV and the agency's website.

The first briefing, airing at 10 a.m., will cover the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) Earth science instrument headed to the space station. Participants for this briefing will be:
-- Julie Robinson, ISS Program chief scientist at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston
-- Colleen Hartman, deputy director for science at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland
-- Robert J. Swap, program scientist with the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington
-- Matthew McGill, CATS principal investigator at Goddard

The second briefing, at 12:30 p.m., will provide up-to-date information about the launch. Participants for the prelaunch briefing will be:
-- Mike Suffredini, NASA’s ISS Program manager
-- Hans Koenigsmann, vice president for Mission Assurance at SpaceX
-- Kathy Winters with the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida

The final briefing of the day, at 2 p.m., will cover some of the numerous science investigations headed to the space station. Participants for the science briefing will be:
-- Julie Robinson, NASA’s ISS Program chief scientist
-- Michael Roberts, senior research pathway manager at the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, headquartered in Melbourne, Florida
-- Cheryl Nickerson, Micro-5 principal investigator at Arizona State University
-- Samuel Durrance, NR-SABOL principal investigator at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne

Media and the public can join the conversation using #ISScargo and #SpaceX5, and ask questions using #askNASA.

For more information about media accreditation, contact Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598 or [email protected].

For an updated schedule of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/1FrjDEO

For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about the mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/spacex

For NASA TV schedule and video streaming information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

For more information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

[Chris Bergin]

Launch NET is likely moving to the 19th NET, per L2 CRS-5. Tagging as "likely" as it was pending IMMT approval, but ISS folk around the world coming out of meetings saying it's the 19th, so that may have occurred by now.

It'll go official when NASA announce it, as it's a mission to the ISS.

[Chris Bergin]

There you go....officially:

MEDIA ADVISORY M14-201

www.nasa.gov/press/2014/december/nasa-spacex-update-launch-of-resupply-mission-to-the-space-station/#.VIn-rTGsWqI

The change of launch date allows SpaceX to take extra time to ensure they do everything possible on the ground to prepare for a successful launch. Both the Falcon 9 rocket and its Dragon spacecraft are in good health.

[Chris Bergin]

Per L2, the Static Fire is still showing as tomorrow (Tuesday) on the schedules, but this was a fluid situation for the previous date and I really think we should wait to see a big white rocket on the pad before we can be confident about that. They have been working a few things lately and the launch date seemed a bit fluid as of the end of last week - if you ask around enough (which is natural).

Officially, still the 19th for the launch date NET. If anything changes, we'll share (L2 or not) with everyone, as I know people make plans for flights, etc.

Also a L2 update had the CRS-5 patch attached. I'm told that's not on other sites yet (no idea), but I'll share it out of L2 for you all regardless, as they are always nice patches. I'm sure a hi res version will be available before long (this is off a NASA document, as opposed to a standalone graphic).

[Fuji]

SpX-5 Payloads
-CATS (Cloud-Aerosol Transport System)
-Microbial Observatory-1
-Flatworm Regeneration
-Wearable Monitoring (ASI payload)
-Free-Space PADLES (Passive Dosimeter for Life-Science Experiment in Space) (JAXA payload)
-Fruit Fly Lab-01
-etc.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/spacex_cats/index.html
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/fruit_fly_lab01/

[Mike_1179]

Is that an octo-web I see?

edit- nope, top of the TE

[Mike_1179]

Yup, she's coming up

[Mike_1179]

[pericynthion]

SpX-5 Payloads

Two Planet Labs cubesats onboard also, equipped with replacements for the experimental new hardware that we lost on ORB-3.

[Mike_1179]

Now time to watch for signs of venting, TE retraction, venting suddenly stopping and then hot-fire over these next few hours.

[sghill]

These images of the rocket may be found here: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/ksclive/kscv09.html

There's a live JAVA version too, but Chrome isn't terribly happy with it.

The feed was still up as of 2:35.

[mheney]

Just saw a puff of venting ... 

(I'm watching at http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/video45lh.html with images set to update every 45 seconds ...)

[saliva_sweet]

the puff

[mheney]

Feed just went to color bars (with a You Shall Not Pass" wizard wandering around from frame to frame ...)

[saliva_sweet]

Excellent video made from the static fire feed by reddit user DevinWatson

edit: clarification per MTom's suggestion: Video ends when the feed was cut and (almost certainly) does not cover the actual static fire. Although interestingly the strongback was retracted at one point.

[WHAP]

Did the static fire happen in there?  Doesn't seem to be enough venting to indicate the LOX tank was filled, but hard to tell since I don't know the refresh rate.

[MTom]

Excellent video made from the static fire feed by reddit user DevinWatson

I suggest to add a comment to your post: this is only a video about the preparation for the static fire.

@WHAP:
The feed has been cut before static fire occured. No further infos (here) yet.

[Chris Bergin]

No static fire completed yet. She's being somewhat naughty on the pad. Waiting to hear if they can still get an attempt in today.

(Update: Clearly not. We're asking if they will attempt again tomorrow).

[aleponcin]

SPACEPORT MAGAZINE tweeted the following earlier this evening.
 
‏@Spaceport_Mag
The @SpaceX CRS-5 static fire was successful at 6:45 PM. This was an important step leading toward plan to launch at 1:22:13 pm ET Friday.

[Chris Bergin]

SPACEPORT MAGAZINE tweeted the following earlier this evening.
 
‏@Spaceport_Mag
The @SpaceX CRS-5 static fire was successful at 6:45 PM. This was an important step leading toward plan to launch at 1:22:13 pm ET Friday.

SpaceX isn't saying that and it's their rocket.

[Carl G]

Remember to use the correct threads. The ASDS coverage is in SpaceX reusable section.

[Chris Bergin]

Here's where we are on this.

Static Fire scheduled for yesterday, but wasn't confirmed until we saw the vehicle on the pad.

Webcam feed was cut (as per usual), guarded by Gandalf (humorous), by the time they entered tanking.

Window was four hours, but we knew they could extend if required.

We know they had at least one good countdown but didn't get to ignition, OR didn't complete the static fire requirement. Now that times in with the above tweet about completing the static fire, so either that account heard the countdown, saw a puff, or classed that as complete - but I was getting notes it wasn't, per the Static Fire requirements. I *think* it's the only account classing it as a complete.

I was asking SpaceX for updates and they moved to a stance of saying they would let me know as soon as they had the Static Fire confirmation - which is usual and fine. SpaceX is very helpful towards us, but at the same time they are a commercial company and don't give running commentaries about their flows.

I asked again after we heard the Static Fire attempt didn't work out, and I was told they can't comment yet, but would when they would be able to.

Experience over previous Static Fires is they always say it's complete, when it's complete, within the hour. Usually a one liner, saying engines fired, initial data looks good, then they go into the LRR. That's all we need, so that's great. That didn't happen yesterday, with the final note saying they would let us know when they had more info.

So right now, until I'm officially told different, they didn't complete the Static Fire, and they will need to try again today if they are to protect the Friday launch attempt, I assume.

Personally I'd love it if someone turned around and provided official confirmation of a Static Fire, allowing us all to look forward to a Friday launch and a sporty core stage return, but I've covered enough of their Static Fires to know this one doesn't feel like it has been completed.

There's your update. If you want to discuss it, please use the discussion threads and I'll update this update thread when I know more.

[Kabloona]

Update on the support vessel Go Quest:

After zigzagging at low speed all night just offshore of Jacksonville, Go Quest set a northeast course at 9 knots this morning at 7:00 am Eastern. The course appeared to be towards the designated landing zone. AIS contact was lost at 7:40, about 10 nm offshore. The crew may have turned off their AIS transponder to prevent tracking while at sea.

AIS contact with the ASDS tugboat Elsbeth III was also lost yesterday as she headed out of the port of Jacksonville.

[Chris Bergin]

Static Fire was scrubbed (asked around all day). Next attempt looking at Thursday (they may push for one today, but no sign of that yet). If Thursday and if successful, can they launch Friday is the next question:

Article on what we do and don't know:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/12/spacex-static-fire-falcon-9-crs-5/

[chamann]

CRS-5 NASA Fact Sheet states:

Upmass w/o packaging  = 5108 lbs (2317 kg)
Upmass with packaging = 5280 lbs (2395 kg)

Downmass w/o packaging  = 2936 lbs (1332 kg)
Downmass with packaging = 3664 lbs (1662 kg)

http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/SpaceX_CRS-5_factsheet.pdf

[ugordan]

Press kit: http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/SpaceX_NASA_CRS-5_PressKit.pdf

[Chris Bergin]

NET January 6 is what we have, unofficially. Come back after the holidays, following resolution to the F9, get the Static Fire done and then go for the launch.

The launch date will be at the mercy of the usual ISS constraints, so I don't think there will be a firm launch date just yet. Everyone's saying January, however.

SpaceX not commenting, so this is not official.

Updated the article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/12/spacex-static-fire-falcon-9-crs-5/

[Chris Bergin]

James Dean with Florida Today:

https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/545338327118123008

[Chris Bergin]

Stephen Clark's take on the slip. He doesn't ramble on like I tend to do.

http://spaceflightnow.com/2014/12/17/spacex-expected-to-set-new-falcon-9-launch-date/

[Chris Bergin]

Jan 6 confirmed to me by SpaceX - so they came through on their promise. Will update the article as we have a statement.

[Chris Bergin]

Updated article with the statement in full:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/12/spacex-static-fire-falcon-9-crs-5/

[Chris Bergin]

And the NASA machine has gotten around to it now.

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex/2014/12/18/crs-5-launch-date-net-jan-6/

[jacqmans]

December 18, 2014

NASA, SpaceX Update Launch of Fifth SpaceX Resupply Mission to Space Station

NASA and SpaceX announced today the launch of SpaceX's fifth commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station now will occur no earlier than Tuesday, Jan. 6.

The new launch date will provide SpaceX engineers time to investigate further issues that arose from a static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket on Dec. 16 and will avoid beta angle constraints for berthing the Dragon cargo ship to the station that exist through the end of the year.

A beta angle is the position of the sun relative to mechanical structures on the space station. During the time of high beta angles, which run from Dec. 28 through Jan. 7, thermal and operational constraints prohibit Dragon from berthing to the station.

Space station managers will meet Monday, Jan. 5, for a readiness review in advance of the launch attempt Jan. 6. The launch postponement has no impact on the station's crew or its complement of food, fuel and supplies and will not affect the science being delivered to the crew once Dragon arrives at the station.

The launch is scheduled at approximately 6:18 a.m. EST. NASA Television coverage will begin at 5 a.m.

A backup launch attempt is available Wednesday, Jan. 7.

A launch on Jan. 6 will result in a rendezvous and grapple of Dragon Thursday, Jan. 8, at approximately 6 a.m. NASA TV coverage will begin at 4:30 a.m. Installation coverage will begin at 9 a.m.

Prelaunch briefings at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 5, with times still to be determined.

For an updated schedule of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/1FrjDEO

For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about the mission, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/spacex

For NASA TV schedule and video streaming information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

For more information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

-end-

[Chris Bergin]

Per L2, the Falcon 9 v1.1 is back up at her SLC-40 Pad for another Static Fire attempt to gain additional engineering data. This will not change the new launch date NET (such as, it could be a perfect Static Fire, won't push the launch up, etc....if case anyone is wondering - for more than one reason).

[getitdoneinspace]

Here is the latest.

[OSE]

Nothing new but Elon just tweeted:

"Falcon/Dragon launch punted to early Jan. Need time to review all systems thoroughly again."

[Chris Bergin]

Good news boys and girls! Per L2, the Second Static Fire has been conducted and was nominal.

Now for the caveat: Nominal means they got the routine duration of the Merlin 1Ds firing and that she enjoyed a good countdown to get to that point. They then review the data from the firing, which isn't immediate, but it's already a better situation than the previous attempt.

NET remains Jan 6.

[Chris Bergin]

There's your official confirmation:
http://www.spacex.com/press/2014/12/19/crs-5-launch-update

[Chris Bergin]

Oh and I thought this would be a stock photo, but it's not - it's of the CRS-5 F9 - because I see grid fins......

[Fuji]

SpX-5 Payloads
-CATS (Cloud-Aerosol Transport System)
-Microbial Observatory-1
-Flatworm Regeneration
-Wearable Monitoring (ASI payload)
-Free-Space PADLES (Passive Dosimeter for Life-Science Experiment in Space) (JAXA payload)
-Fruit Fly Lab-01
-etc.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/spacex_cats/index.html
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/fruit_fly_lab01/

Correction.
-Free-Space PADLES is delayed another flight.

Adds
-Two Flock 1D'
-AESP14  Brazilian 1U CubeSat and SSOD is paid payload for JAXA.
-Another JAXA's reserch payloads
  Epigenetics (C. elegans), JAXA PCG Demo,  Microbe-4, Plant Rotation, Stem Cells
http://iss.jaxa.jp/iss/flight/dragon_spx5/    (Japanese)

[AnalogMan]

NASA Updates Pre-Launch Briefings for Upcoming Resupply Mission to Space Station
RELEASE M14-207  December 29, 2014
http://www.nasa.gov/press/2014/december/nasa-updates-pre-launch-briefings-for-upcoming-resupply-mission-to-space-station/

The fifth SpaceX cargo mission to the International Space Station (ISS) under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract now is scheduled to launch at 6:20:29 a.m. EST Tuesday, Jan. 6, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA Television coverage of the launch begins at 5 a.m.

The new launch date will provide SpaceX engineers time to investigate further issues that arose from a static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket on Dec. 16, and will ensure proper sun angles for thermal and operational conditions to berth Dragon.

The prelaunch news conferences also have moved to Monday, Jan. 5, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. All briefings, which are subject to a change in time, will air live on NASA TV and the agency's website.

The first briefing of the day will air at noon and cover the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) Earth science instrument headed to the space station. Participants for this briefing will be:

  •Julie Robinson, ISS Program chief scientist at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston
  •Robert J. Swap, program scientist with the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington
  •Matthew McGill, CATS principal investigator at Goddard

The second briefing will air at 1:30 p.m. and cover some of the numerous science investigations headed to the space station. Participants for the science briefing will be:

  •Julie Robinson, NASA’s ISS Program chief scientist
  •Kenneth Shields, director of operations and education for the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space
  •Cheryl Nickerson, Micro-5 principal investigator at Arizona State University
  •Samuel Durrance, NR-SABOL principal investigator at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne

The final briefing will air at 4 p.m. and provide up-to-date information about the launch. Participants for the prelaunch briefing will be:

  •Mike Suffredini, NASA’s ISS Program manager
  •Hans Koenigsmann, vice president for Mission Assurance at SpaceX
  •Maj. Perry Sweat, U.S. Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral  Air Force Station in Florida

An on-time launch on Jan. 6 will result in the Dragon spacecraft arriving at the space station on Thursday, Jan. 8. Expedition 42 Commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore of NASA will use the station's 57.7-foot robotic arm to reach out and capture Dragon at approximately 6 a.m. Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will support Wilmore as they operate from the station's cupola. NASA TV coverage of grapple will begin at 4:30 a.m. Coverage of Dragon's installation to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module will begin at 8:15 a.m.

Reporters who wish to participate by telephone must call Kennedy's newsroom at 321-867-2468 no later than 15 minutes before the start of each briefing. Those following along on social media may ask questions using the hashtag #askNASA.

For more information about media accreditation at Kennedy, contact Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598 or [email protected].

For an updated schedule of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit:
http://go.nasa.gov/1FrjDEO

For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about the mission, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/spacex

For NASA TV schedule and video streaming information, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

For more information about the International Space Station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/station

[Orbiter]

First weather forecast is in for a launch attempt on January 6th, looking at a 60% chance of favorable conditions at T-0. Main concern will be thick clouds.

http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070716-028.pdf

[AndrewM]

SpaceX's livestream invite went out about an hour ago.

[jacqmans]

Launch Operations Forecast

http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070716-028.pdf

[Fuji]

CRS-5 Press Kit
http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/SpaceX_NASA_CRS-5_PressKit-105.pdf

CRS-5 Fact Sheet
http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/SpaceX_CRS-5_factsheet.pdf

[dkanen]

The Launch forecast posted seem to be from the middle of December..... just saying.

Launch Operations Forecast

http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070716-028.pdf

[cartman]

Latest launch operations forecast issued at 1300 UTC gives a 30% chance of violating weather constraints, while they were giving 40% in their previous forecast.

[saliva_sweet]

The Launch forecast posted seem to be from the middle of December..... just saying.

Launch Operations Forecast

http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070716-028.pdf

You may need to refresh.

[Brick_top]

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2014/12/31/happy-new-year-16-times-on-space-station/

weather improves to 70 percent 'go' for dragon

edit - its on the nasa http://www.nasa.gov/ page.. the link above doesn't seem to redirect to the correct place

[Chris Bergin]

Ok, so let's lock this one and move to the Live Launch Day thread.....which I'll set up shortly.