If NASA decides that the current fuelling procedure is a no go for their astronauts and SpaceX decides that it is not worth the effort to satisfy NASA's requirement, could SpaceX still sell seats on Dragon 2 to other customers?
There's no law stopping them from flying passengers, even without NASA's approval. That's a strictly commercial activity and regulated by the FAA.
Quote from: envy887 on 05/10/2018 12:20 pmThere's no law stopping them from flying passengers, even without NASA's approval. That's a strictly commercial activity and regulated by the FAA.To the ISS? Totally NASA's decision and last I heard the answer was "don't even ask". With a change of administration, let's hope that changes.
I think orbital tourism for a couple of hours is the more likely possibility in the near future.
If NASA tells SpaceX that they must change the loading procedure to be certified and SpaceX refuses to do it what is the result? Or to put it legally, If NASA requests a contract modification and SpaceX chooses not to do it are there any penalties involved?
Quote from: JBF on 05/10/2018 01:55 pmIf NASA tells SpaceX that they must change the loading procedure to be certified and SpaceX refuses to do it what is the result? Or to put it legally, If NASA requests a contract modification and SpaceX chooses not to do it are there any penalties involved?It would trigger contract default clauses and all the penalties associated therewith.
The answer is tied up in regulations. Earlier posts say NASA will nix any traffic to the ISS. So, is there a market for a trip around the block (orbit) again and again and then come back to Earth? If Yes, then the FAA seems likely to say Yes (IMHO).
Unique new software and procedures for 1-2 flights per year actually increases risk compared to using the same F9 that has a long flight history and flies 30 times a year.
Quote from: SWGlassPit on 05/10/2018 02:45 pmQuote from: JBF on 05/10/2018 01:55 pmIf NASA tells SpaceX that they must change the loading procedure to be certified and SpaceX refuses to do it what is the result? Or to put it legally, If NASA requests a contract modification and SpaceX chooses not to do it are there any penalties involved?It would trigger contract default clauses and all the penalties associated therewith.Only if the original contract stipulated the new loading method. If the contact was agreed with the current loading then spacex could contract is no longer valid and walk away with no penalties
The question isn't whether there's a market for orbital flights... the question is whether Dragon 2 is a viable market to service that market and whether SpaceX has any interest in being in that market. I don't think either of those questions have an affirmative answer. Hope I'm wrong, of course.
Without NASA, Dragon2 ceases to exist.IMHO.
Elon believes that this flight will count toward commercial crew (7 before crew).
Musk on 'Load and Go" - The issue has been overblow. We can load the prop then load the astronauts.Musk: Load and go is not a safety issue for astronauts. Can do before astros load. But this is an overblown issue. #SpaceX #Falcon9 #Block5
Quote from: abaddon on 05/10/2018 06:32 pm Without NASA, Dragon2 ceases to exist.IMHO.Wasn't D2 Cargo and Crew? So maybe only D2 cargo.
Tweets from Brendan Byrne:QuoteMusk on 'Load and Go" - The issue has been overblow. We can load the prop then load the astronauts.Musk: Load and go is not a safety issue for astronauts. Can do before astros load. But this is an overblown issue. #SpaceX #Falcon9 #Block5