NASA lines up four additional CRS missions for Dragon and Cygnus

[Nomadd]

Are there any threads on the feasibility of Dragon using the Atlas if the F9 has a similar problem?

[Jimmy Murdok]

Any topic or public info on CRS 2 SpaceX vehicle?
My conservative logic gives me a simplified Dragon 2 with the big berthing port. But Orbital will offer almost 3 times it's pressurized volume, so 2018 might be time to make a bigger pressure vessel for an enhanced cargo Dragon  , something around 20-25m3 that in the future could be used for an upgraded BEO crewed Dragon.

[ChrisWilson68]

Any topic or public info on CRS 2 SpaceX vehicle?
My conservative logic gives me a simplified Dragon 2 with the big berthing port. But Orbital will offer almost 3 times it's pressurized volume, so 2018 might be time to make a bigger pressure vessel for an enhanced cargo Dragon  ::), something around 20-25m3 that in the future could be used for an upgraded BEO crewed Dragon.

Any of those things is going to be a bunch of engineering work and that takes time, money, and risk.  Proposing anything for CRS 2 that adds time, money, and/or risk is probably going to hurt them.

Elon said he expected Dragon 1 to continue flying cargo for at least several years after Dragon 2 enters service.  I don't see much reason to think that plan has changed.  SpaceX is most likely to make the most money from CRS2 by continuing to fly Dragon 1.

Besides, SpaceX has plenty to do on making Dragon 2 safe and cost-effective for crew, making first stage re-use cost-effective, and making Falcon Heavy cost-effective.  Plus, in their spare time, colonizing Mars. :-)

[Lars-J]

Any topic or public info on CRS 2 SpaceX vehicle?
My conservative logic gives me a simplified Dragon 2 with the big berthing port. But Orbital will offer almost 3 times it's pressurized volume, so 2018 might be time to make a bigger pressure vessel for an enhanced cargo Dragon  , something around 20-25m3 that in the future could be used for an upgraded BEO crewed Dragon.

CRS 2 will likely just be Cargo Dragon (1). Dragon 2 does not have room for the bigger berthing port.

[arachnitect]

Here is the main thread for CRS II

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=34093.0

[Jimmy Murdok]

Any topic or public info on CRS 2 SpaceX vehicle?
My conservative logic gives me a simplified Dragon 2 with the big berthing port. But Orbital will offer almost 3 times it's pressurized volume, so 2018 might be time to make a bigger pressure vessel for an enhanced cargo Dragon  , something around 20-25m3 that in the future could be used for an upgraded BEO crewed Dragon.

Any of those things is going to be a bunch of engineering work and that takes time, money, and risk.  Proposing anything for CRS 2 that adds time, money, and/or risk is probably going to hurt them.

Elon said he expected Dragon 1 to continue flying cargo for at least several years after Dragon 2 enters service.  I don't see much reason to think that plan has changed.  SpaceX is most likely to make the most money from CRS2 by continuing to fly Dragon 1.

Besides, SpaceX has plenty to do on making Dragon 2 safe and cost-effective for crew, making first stage re-use cost-effective, and making Falcon Heavy cost-effective.  Plus, in their spare time, colonizing Mars. :-)

Don't you think they will at least apply retropropulsive land landing with superdracos merging both spacecrafts? It's a great test bed besides dragonfly and ocean recovery is avoided.

[mme]

Any topic or public info on CRS 2 SpaceX vehicle?
My conservative logic gives me a simplified Dragon 2 with the big berthing port. But Orbital will offer almost 3 times it's pressurized volume, so 2018 might be time to make a bigger pressure vessel for an enhanced cargo Dragon  , something around 20-25m3 that in the future could be used for an upgraded BEO crewed Dragon.

I have no insight, but I'm not sure how big of an issue the difference in volume is between Cygnus and Dragon 1 as they have complementary capabilities.  NASA needs something that can return cargo to Earth and Cygnus can't do that.  So the potential competitors to SpaceX are CST-100, Liberty, Dream Chaser and whoever else offering to return cargo to Earth.

[Jimmy Murdok]

I have no insight, but I'm not sure how big of an issue the difference in volume is between Cygnus and Dragon 1 as they have complementary capabilities.  NASA needs something that can return cargo to Earth and Cygnus can't do that.  So the potential competitors to SpaceX are CST-100, Liberty, Dream Chaser and whoever else offering to return cargo to Earth.

My answer in CRS 2 Topic
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=34093.380

[BobHk]

Any topic or public info on CRS 2 SpaceX vehicle?
My conservative logic gives me a simplified Dragon 2 with the big berthing port. But Orbital will offer almost 3 times it's pressurized volume, so 2018 might be time to make a bigger pressure vessel for an enhanced cargo Dragon  , something around 20-25m3 that in the future could be used for an upgraded BEO crewed Dragon.

I have no insight, but I'm not sure how big of an issue the difference in volume is between Cygnus and Dragon 1 as they have complementary capabilities.  NASA needs something that can return cargo to Earth and Cygnus can't do that.  So the potential competitors to SpaceX are CST-100, Liberty, Dream Chaser and whoever else offering to return cargo to Earth.

Infographic

[Chris Bergin]

So from what I understand this is just an automatic extension of the original contract and the 2nd contract is still up for consideration past 2017. Just making sure I am summarizing correctly. Also right now we call missions CRS SpX(some number) what would the 2nd ones be called?

Yes sir.

CRS contract. CRS extension. Then on to CRS2.

PS This is part one of two for an update on Commercial vehicles. The second one is on Commercial crew and was going to be part of this article, but I felt it best to do two articles to keep their specific.

Here's Part 2:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/commercial-crew-demo-missions-dragon-cst-100/

[yg1968]

Have they published the price tag yet? Hope SpaceX can get their price inflation adjusted

When the intention to extend was announced last year, it was said that the extension was made at "no cost" to NASA. I am guessing that means at "no additional costs" to NASA as the original contract already provided for the possibility of additionnal missions (up to a maximum for each contract of $3.1B). See the following synopsis:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=cff80051d20c232523953c167a42b410&tab=core&_cview=0

ASA/JSC intends to extend the existing Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contracts NNJ09GA02B, with Orbital Sciences Corporation, hereinafter referred to as Orbital, and NNJ09GA04B, with Space Exploration Technologies, hereinafter referred to as SpaceX for up to 24 months from December 2015 to December 2017 at no cost. Both contracts were awarded in December 2008 and have a not to exceed (NTE) contract value of 3.1B each.

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

Have they published the price tag yet? Hope SpaceX can get their price inflation adjusted

When the intension to extend was announced last year, it was said that the extension was made at no cost to NASA. I am guessing that means at "no additional costs" to NASA as the original contract already provided for the possibility of additionnal missions (the maximum for each contract was $3.1B). See the following synopsis:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=cff80051d20c232523953c167a42b410&tab=core&_cview=0

ASA/JSC intends to extend the existing Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contracts NNJ09GA02B, with Orbital Sciences Corporation, hereinafter referred to as Orbital, and NNJ09GA04B, with Space Exploration Technologies, hereinafter referred to as SpaceX for up to 24 months from December 2015 to December 2017 at no cost. Both contracts were awarded in December 2008 and have a not to exceed (NTE) contract value of 3.1B each.

3 additional SPX missions would put the contract value at $3.0B just under the $3.1B NTE.
Orbital Contract value would increase to ~$2.14B from $1.9B.

[king1999]

Have they published the price tag yet? Hope SpaceX can get their price inflation adjusted

When the intension to extend was announced last year, it was said that the extension was made at no cost to NASA. I am guessing that means at "no additional costs" to NASA as the original contract already provided for the possibility of additionnal missions (the maximum for each contract was $3.1B). See the following synopsis:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=cff80051d20c232523953c167a42b410&tab=core&_cview=0

ASA/JSC intends to extend the existing Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contracts NNJ09GA02B, with Orbital Sciences Corporation, hereinafter referred to as Orbital, and NNJ09GA04B, with Space Exploration Technologies, hereinafter referred to as SpaceX for up to 24 months from December 2015 to December 2017 at no cost. Both contracts were awarded in December 2008 and have a not to exceed (NTE) contract value of 3.1B each.

3 additional SPX missions would put the contract value at $3.0B just under the $3.1B NTE.
Orbital Contract value would increase to ~$2.14B from $1.9B.

If that's accurate, SpaceX will get 466 million per extended launch! However, they get 3000/15=200 million per launch for the whole program, which is a fairer price considering their unique unpressured cargo and down mass capability. Still cheaper than Orbital per launch.

[gongora]

3 additional SPX missions would put the contract value at $3.0B just under the $3.1B NTE.
Orbital Contract value would increase to ~$2.14B from $1.9B.

Wouldn't 3 additional missions put SpaceX around $2.0B?

[Jimmy Murdok]

3 additional SPX missions would put the contract value at $3.0B just under the $3.1B NTE.
Orbital Contract value would increase to ~$2.14B from $1.9B.

Wouldn't 3 additional missions put SpaceX around $2.0B?

Yes that sounds more logic: each launch is 133M USD including the development of F9, but assuming some inflation I can imagine they will keep everything around the same cost, so 400M for 3 launches sounds fair.

[guckyfan]

Isn't this an extension of the existing contract? That would mean the price is constant, with an adjustment for inflation. So somewhat higher than the initial price.

Edit: What inflation figure would be used?

[arachnitect]

http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/03/07/nasa-orders-missions-to-resupply-space-station-in-2017/

“NASA has ordered three additional flights with SpaceX in the extension period,” said Stephanie Schierholz, a NASA spokesperson. “NASA has ordered one additional flight with Orbital in the extension period.

Not that there was really any doubt, but there's the confirmation.

I don't get why NASA doesn't announce this. They have a press conference if someone cleans a closet at MAF or some high school kids built a cubesat. This is not a small deal and a lot of people follow all things ISS (or Spacex) closely.

[Coastal Ron]

http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/03/07/nasa-orders-missions-to-resupply-space-station-in-2017/

“NASA has ordered three additional flights with SpaceX in the extension period,” said Stephanie Schierholz, a NASA spokesperson. “NASA has ordered one additional flight with Orbital in the extension period.

Not that there was really any doubt, but there's the confirmation.

I don't get why NASA doesn't announce this. They have a press conference if someone cleans a closet at MAF or some high school kids built a cubesat. This is not a small deal and a lot of people follow all things ISS (or Spacex) closely.

Yes, politicians do indeed do that, so it is interesting in this case.

However this is not a new contract, just an extension of the current CRS contract.  From our own archives here at NASASpaceFlight:

“CRS is a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), Commercial, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) procurement. This acquisition is a multiple award contract for a minimum guarantee dollar value for 20 metric tons (MT) of upmass.

Since it's an IDIQ contract they could keep extending it if they wanted, but obviously they are looking to make sure they are getting the best value as the cargo industry matures, which is why they are re-competing with the CRS-2 contract.

[arachnitect]

http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/03/07/nasa-orders-missions-to-resupply-space-station-in-2017/

“NASA has ordered three additional flights with SpaceX in the extension period,” said Stephanie Schierholz, a NASA spokesperson. “NASA has ordered one additional flight with Orbital in the extension period.

Not that there was really any doubt, but there's the confirmation.

I don't get why NASA doesn't announce this. They have a press conference if someone cleans a closet at MAF or some high school kids built a cubesat. This is not a small deal and a lot of people follow all things ISS (or Spacex) closely.

Yes, politicians do indeed do that, so it is interesting in this case.

However this is not a new contract, just an extension of the current CRS contract.  From our own archives here at NASASpaceFlight:

“CRS is a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), Commercial, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) procurement. This acquisition is a multiple award contract for a minimum guarantee dollar value for 20 metric tons (MT) of upmass.

Since it's an IDIQ contract they could keep extending it if they wanted, but obviously they are looking to make sure they are getting the best value as the cargo industry matures, which is why they are re-competing with the CRS-2 contract.

I know it's a "contract extension" but NASA bought four whole space missions, it's sort of a big deal.

Everybody who's been following ISS closely knew that something like this was coming. Why not just put out a 200 word press release once the contracts are finalized. Instead it slowly leaks out in OrbATK press conferences and the FPIP charts we get here on NSF, then the press has to call up NASA and ask about it.

The info has to get out one way or another, it would be so much more efficient for them to type up a quick press release once the contracts are signed.

[king1999]

http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/03/07/nasa-orders-missions-to-resupply-space-station-in-2017/

“NASA has ordered three additional flights with SpaceX in the extension period,” said Stephanie Schierholz, a NASA spokesperson. “NASA has ordered one additional flight with Orbital in the extension period.

Not that there was really any doubt, but there's the confirmation.

I don't get why NASA doesn't announce this. They have a press conference if someone cleans a closet at MAF or some high school kids built a cubesat. This is not a small deal and a lot of people follow all things ISS (or Spacex) closely.

Yes, politicians do indeed do that, so it is interesting in this case.

However this is not a new contract, just an extension of the current CRS contract.  From our own archives here at NASASpaceFlight:

“CRS is a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), Commercial, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) procurement. This acquisition is a multiple award contract for a minimum guarantee dollar value for 20 metric tons (MT) of upmass.

Since it's an IDIQ contract they could keep extending it if they wanted, but obviously they are looking to make sure they are getting the best value as the cargo industry matures, which is why they are re-competing with the CRS-2 contract.

I know it's a "contract extension" but NASA bought four whole space missions, it's sort of a big deal.

Everybody who's been following ISS closely knew that something like this was coming. Why not just put out a 200 word press release once the contracts are finalized. Instead it slowly leaks out in OrbATK press conferences and the FPIP charts we get here on NSF, then the press has to call up NASA and ask about it.

The info has to get out one way or another, it would be so much more efficient for them to type up a quick press release once the contracts are signed.

They don't want to release the pricing info for unknown reason.