Author Topic: Vulcan VC4L V002 - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - Q2 2024  (Read 45982 times)

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Don’t think we have a specific thread yet for this mission.

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1526605448601817089

Quote
Weigel: The second Vulcan flight, carrying the first @SierraSpaceCo cargo Dream Chaser to the ISS, is currently scheduled for February 2023.

"We'll be ready when they're ready."
« Last Edit: 02/11/2024 07:12 pm by zubenelgenubi »

Offline yg1968

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Re: Vulcan 2nd flight - Dream Chaser to ISS - NET Feb 2023
« Reply #1 on: 05/19/2022 01:30 am »
Yes, he said late February to be more precise. See below:

During the Starliner press conference of yesterday, it was mentioned that the first mission of Dream Chaser is scheduled for late February 2023.

It's at 38 minutes of the video:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51827.msg2369726#msg2369726

Offline Vahe231991

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Re: Vulcan 2nd flight - Dream Chaser to ISS - NET Feb 2023
« Reply #2 on: 05/22/2022 02:12 am »
Yes, he said late February to be more precise. See below:

During the Starliner press conference of yesterday, it was mentioned that the first mission of Dream Chaser is scheduled for late February 2023.

It's at 38 minutes of the video:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51827.msg2369726#msg2369726
Sierra Nevada previously said that the first Dream Chaser launch would be scheduled for this year. I'm guessing that the ULA has delayed the first launch of the Dream Chaser by a few months because it is making preparations to mate the Peregrine lander with the first Vulcan rocket.

Offline deadman1204

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Re: Vulcan 2nd flight - Dream Chaser to ISS - NET Feb 2023
« Reply #3 on: 05/23/2022 01:32 pm »
Yes, he said late February to be more precise. See below:

During the Starliner press conference of yesterday, it was mentioned that the first mission of Dream Chaser is scheduled for late February 2023.

It's at 38 minutes of the video:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51827.msg2369726#msg2369726
Sierra Nevada previously said that the first Dream Chaser launch would be scheduled for this year. I'm guessing that the ULA has delayed the first launch of the Dream Chaser by a few months because it is making preparations to mate the Peregrine lander with the first Vulcan rocket.
Dreamchaser was always gonna be the 2nd Vulcan launch.

Offline yg1968

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Re: Vulcan 2nd flight - Dream Chaser to ISS - NET Feb 2023
« Reply #4 on: 05/23/2022 03:24 pm »
Yes, he said late February to be more precise. See below:

During the Starliner press conference of yesterday, it was mentioned that the first mission of Dream Chaser is scheduled for late February 2023.

It's at 38 minutes of the video:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51827.msg2369726#msg2369726
Sierra Nevada previously said that the first Dream Chaser launch would be scheduled for this year. I'm guessing that the ULA has delayed the first launch of the Dream Chaser by a few months because it is making preparations to mate the Peregrine lander with the first Vulcan rocket.
Dreamchaser was always gonna be the 2nd Vulcan launch.

Not that it matters but Dream Chaser was supposed to be the first Vulcan launch initially but it got bumped to second a while ago.
« Last Edit: 05/23/2022 04:27 pm by yg1968 »

Offline DanClemmensen

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Re: Vulcan 2nd flight - Dream Chaser to ISS - NET Feb 2023
« Reply #5 on: 05/23/2022 03:36 pm »
Dreamchaser was always gonna be the 2nd Vulcan launch.
Not that it matters but Dream Chaser was supposed to the first Vulcan launch initially but it got bumped to second a while ago.
It seems that Dream Chaser, Peregrine, and Vulcan have all slipped repeatedly over the last few years and the dates of the two flights have been adjusted as a result. I suppose the order could reverse again, but this guess is based only on past history and not any inside information.

Offline Vahe231991

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Re: Vulcan 2nd flight - Dream Chaser to ISS - NET Feb 2023
« Reply #6 on: 10/22/2022 12:14 am »
With the completion of the first Vulcan rocket around the corner next month, the question is whether any components for the second Vulcan to be used to launch the Dream Chaser spaceplane are being fabricated.

Offline russianhalo117

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Re: Vulcan 2nd flight - Dream Chaser to ISS - NET Feb 2023
« Reply #7 on: 10/22/2022 01:49 am »
With the completion of the first Vulcan rocket around the corner next month, the question is whether any components for the second Vulcan to be used to launch the Dream Chaser spaceplane are being fabricated.
Yes along with few others on the line.

Offline deadman1204

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Re: Vulcan 2nd flight - Dream Chaser to ISS - NET Feb 2023
« Reply #8 on: 10/24/2022 04:35 pm »
With the completion of the first Vulcan rocket around the corner next month, the question is whether any components for the second Vulcan to be used to launch the Dream Chaser spaceplane are being fabricated.
While it may get the 2nd engine next month, there is more than engines. Has the centaur V been completed yet?

Offline Bean Kenobi

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Re: Vulcan 2nd flight - Dream Chaser to ISS - NET Feb 2023
« Reply #9 on: 10/24/2022 08:50 pm »
Thread title date can be updated to "Summer 2023".

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1571868469188235266
« Last Edit: 10/24/2022 08:51 pm by Bean Kenobi »

Offline whitelancer64

DutchSatellites
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As expected multiple sources have reported over the past several weeks that
@SierraSpaceCo
 Dream Chaser is no longer manifested on
@ulalaunch
 Vulcan flight #2. Primary reason is yet another set of delays in getting Dream Chaser ready for flight.
1:23 PM · Mar 5, 2023


https://twitter.com/DutchSatellites/status/1632492016465575941
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Offline mandrewa

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Andrei K asked DutchSatellites,

"So, what will be launched in flight #2 ? NSSL payloads need at least 2 prior launches, don’t they? Does that leave only the Project Kuiper sats?"

DutchSatellites answered,

"Beside Dream Chaser launches & beside the NSSL contract & the Kuiper contract, @ulalaunch has contracts in place for launching several commercial payloads. One of those might be available for Vulcan flight #2. If not, then there is always the mass simulator @torybruno mentioned."

Offline Bean Kenobi

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Andrei K asked DutchSatellites,

"So, what will be launched in flight #2 ? NSSL payloads need at least 2 prior launches, don’t they? Does that leave only the Project Kuiper sats?"

DutchSatellites answered,

"Beside Dream Chaser launches & beside the NSSL contract & the Kuiper contract, @ulalaunch has contracts in place for launching several commercial payloads. One of those might be available for Vulcan flight #2. If not, then there is always the mass simulator @torybruno mentioned."

Which commercial payloads on Vulcan beside Dream Chaser and Kuiper ? ??? I have never heard of them.

New Glenn has some options (Eutelsat, JCSat and Muspace), not Vulcan.

Offline Robert_the_Doll

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Andrei K asked DutchSatellites,

"So, what will be launched in flight #2 ? NSSL payloads need at least 2 prior launches, don’t they? Does that leave only the Project Kuiper sats?"

DutchSatellites answered,

"Beside Dream Chaser launches & beside the NSSL contract & the Kuiper contract, @ulalaunch has contracts in place for launching several commercial payloads. One of those might be available for Vulcan flight #2. If not, then there is always the mass simulator @torybruno mentioned."

Which commercial payloads on Vulcan beside Dream Chaser and Kuiper ? ??? I have never heard of them.

New Glenn has some options (Eutelsat, JCSat and Muspace), not Vulcan.

Though it would be desirable for ULA to have a paying customer's payload on the flight, they do have alternatives, namely the mass simulator that Tory Bruno has spoken of that was built to replace Astrobotic's lander in the advent that their Peregrine lander was not ready for the Certification-1 flight.
It could be repurposed to take the place of Dream Chaser Tenacity, assuming it is not needed for Certification-1.
« Last Edit: 03/08/2023 02:21 am by Robert_the_Doll »

Offline Tomness

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #14 on: 03/08/2023 04:56 am »
Hate to waste a second flight on a Mass Simulator. I wonder what it would take for Gwen to launch Starlinks on a one off for this flight. If nothing was available.

Offline 2megs

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #15 on: 03/08/2023 01:09 pm »
Hate to waste a second flight on a Mass Simulator. I wonder what it would take for Gwen to launch Starlinks on a one off for this flight. If nothing was available.

I would bet that the first-time one-off integration costs (and risks of new engineering) would exceed SpaceX's internal marginal costs for an additional Falcon launch. Right now they're popping out an entire second stage every four-ish days, which is still hard to get my head around.

Offline lrk

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #16 on: 03/08/2023 02:58 pm »
It does seem kind of silly to fly a real customer payload on the first flight, and then a mass sim on the second flight.  If (somehow, I think this scenario is pretty unlikely) no customer payloads could be found for flight 2 on short notice, could they consider bumping Peregrine to the second flight and flying the mass sim on flight 1? 

Would also give Astrobotic a bit more schedule margin if there are any last-minute integration challenges (IIRC, they still needed to install part of the propulsion system?)

Offline Vahe231991

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #17 on: 03/08/2023 04:23 pm »
The SpaceFlightNow website lists the first launch of a Dream Chaser atop a Vulcan rocket is being scheduled for NET August 2023. This launch window might sound reasonable considering that a precise launch date for the maiden launch of the Vulcan rocket was only announced recently.

Offline Zed_Noir

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #18 on: 03/09/2023 12:55 am »
Hate to waste a second flight on a Mass Simulator. I wonder what it would take for Gwen to launch Starlinks on a one off for this flight. If nothing was available.

I would bet that the first-time one-off integration costs (and risks of new engineering) would exceed SpaceX's internal marginal costs for an additional Falcon launch. Right now they're popping out an entire second stage every four-ish days, which is still hard to get my head around.

Probably not. The issue with Starlink comsats is that SpaceX couldn't deploy them fast enough. There are stacks of Starlink comsats waiting for their ride up.

If the Centaur V could flip end over end like the Falcon 9 upper stage after engine cutoff. SpaceX could just installed and deployed Starlink comsats exactly like on the Falcon 9. The Starlink v1.5 comsats are much tougher than any other satellites.

Always wonder how many Starlink v1.5 comsats can fit in a long Vulcan-Centaur payload fairing. There should be enough volume in the long payload fairing for about 90 Starlink comsats. Plus ULA can test out the VC6L configuration as well. :P

Offline woods170

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #19 on: 03/09/2023 10:17 am »
Andrei K asked DutchSatellites,

"So, what will be launched in flight #2 ? NSSL payloads need at least 2 prior launches, don’t they? Does that leave only the Project Kuiper sats?"

DutchSatellites answered,

"Beside Dream Chaser launches & beside the NSSL contract & the Kuiper contract, @ulalaunch has contracts in place for launching several commercial payloads. One of those might be available for Vulcan flight #2. If not, then there is always the mass simulator @torybruno mentioned."

Which commercial payloads on Vulcan beside Dream Chaser and Kuiper ? ??? I have never heard of them.

New Glenn has some options (Eutelsat, JCSat and Muspace), not Vulcan.


Apart from the maiden launch with Peregrine and 2 Kuiper demo sats, 19 awarded NSSL Phase 2 launches, 38 awarded Kuiper launches and 6 awarded Dream Chaser CRS2 launches, Vulcan also managed to score at least 6 not publically disclosed (as of yet) commercial launches. At least two of those are, per my sources, commercial comsat launches.

The total number of ordered Vulcan launches exceeded 70 late last year.


Which, btw, means that Blue Origin is on the hook for building at least 140 flight BE-4 engines for just Vulcan. Not bad for a new engine. It also means that Aerojet is on the hook for building at least 140 more RL-10C-1-1 and RL-10C-X engines. Not bad either.
« Last Edit: 03/09/2023 10:23 am by woods170 »

Offline Robert_the_Doll

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #20 on: 03/10/2023 01:39 am »
Quote from:  woods170
At least two of those are, per my sources, commercial comsat launches.

Yes, but could either of those satellites be ready to fly on the Certification-2 mission before the end of summer, never mind the end of this year?

Offline litton4

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #21 on: 03/15/2023 01:04 pm »
It does seem kind of silly to fly a real customer payload on the first flight, and then a mass sim on the second flight.  If (somehow, I think this scenario is pretty unlikely) no customer payloads could be found for flight 2 on short notice, could they consider bumping Peregrine to the second flight and flying the mass sim on flight 1? 

Would also give Astrobotic a bit more schedule margin if there are any last-minute integration challenges (IIRC, they still needed to install part of the propulsion system?)

What car does Tony drive?
Dave Condliffe

Offline Jim

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #22 on: 03/15/2023 01:26 pm »

Apart from the maiden launch with Peregrine and 2 Kuiper demo sats, 19 awarded NSSL Phase 2 launches, 38 awarded Kuiper launches and 6 awarded Dream Chaser CRS2 launches, Vulcan also managed to score at least 6 not publically disclosed (as of yet) commercial launches. At least two of those are, per my sources, commercial comsat launches.

The total number of ordered Vulcan launches exceeded 70 late last year.


Which is more than Titan IV, Delta IV or Titan IIIB

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #23 on: 03/24/2023 01:11 pm »
https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1639266593564766211

Quote
Some news: Dream Chaser’s debut is delayed until at least mid-December. This extends NASA’s reliance on Falcon 9 for crew *and* cargo. More critically, it also raises questions about Vulcan’s launch manifest and path to certification.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/03/dream-chaser-is-delayed-again-raising-questions-about-vulcan-launch-plans/

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Launch circa end of 2023/beginning of 2024?

https://twitter.com/sierraspaceco/status/1661061868339838977

Quote
Sierra Space hosted its first-ever official Dream Chaser training for astronauts, Jasmin Moghbeli (@NASA) and Satoshi Furukawa (@JAXA_en), of the upcoming #SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the @Space_Station.

Press Release:

https://www.sierraspace.com/newsroom/press-releases/sierra-space-trains-nasa-jasmin-moghbeli-and-jaxa-satoshi-furukawa-for-dream-chaser-spaceplane-mission-to-international-space-station/

Quote
Sierra Space Trains NASA’s Jasmin Moghbeli and JAXA’s Satoshi Furukawa for Dream Chaser® Spaceplane Mission to International Space Station
MAY 23, 2023|   NEWS

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency designated Furukawa as a member of Crew-7 early Monday morning

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – May 23, 2023 – Sierra Space, a leading, pureplay commercial space company building the first end-to-end business and technology platform in space, announced today it has achieved another significant milestone in the journey to the first flight of Dream Chaser®. The company hosted its first-ever official training for astronauts from NASA and JAXA to learn the innerworkings of the world’s first commercial spaceplane.

The astronauts – Jasmin Moghbeli (United States) and Satoshi Furukawa (Japan) – are two members of the upcoming SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). During their planned six-month stay, Dream Chaser will make its maiden voyage to deliver cargo to the ISS as part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) contract.

“We are honored to provide NASA cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station. The astronaut training is another important milestone as we complete the final preparations for Dream Chaser’s first mission,” said Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice. “Our team provided a comprehensive training experience for these Crew-7 members to prepare them for when Dream Chaser berths at the ISS.”

Sierra Space compiled an eight-hour training session that took place on March 7 at the company’s Louisville, Colorado facility. Company specialists conducted the training, which was divided into four sections. Parts 1 and 2 were classroom training, while Parts 3 and 4 involved a full-size mock-up of Dream Chaser:

Part 1: Dream Chaser Overview – Sierra Space team members gave Moghbeli and Furukawa a full briefing on Dream Chaser. Topics covered included systems identification and function, mission profiles (from launch and rendezvous to reentry and landing), crew interfaces and operations (i.e., types of cargo, how to load/unload, etc.). At the end of Part 1, astronauts walked away with a full understanding of the hardware they will encounter on Dream Chaser once it is at the ISS.

Part 2: Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) – This portion of the training covered required actions as Dream Chaser makes its approach and officially berths with the ISS. Sierra Space employees carefully reviewed the timeline, profile and procedural operations of the high-level system configuration involved in this critical part of the mission.

Part 3: Dream Chaser Hardware Familiarization and Scenarios – The astronauts moved into a full-size mock-up of Dream Chaser. As they walked through the vehicle, Sierra Space employees identified hardware/systems and taught the astronauts how to operate and/or interface with each one. The astronauts also learned vehicle ingress/egress procedures, as well as discussed off-nominal scenarios.

“This was the portion of the training where the astronauts were blown away by Dream Chaser’s massive size, often commenting, ‘Wow, you can fit a lot of cargo in here,’” said Krista Abler, with Sierra Space’s Flight Operations Mission Training team. “You can look at CAD drawings or read about Dream Chaser’s dimensions all day long. But its immense capacity doesn’t really register until you crawl inside. I think this is a reason why NASA is excited about our vehicle.”

Part 4: Cargo Transfer Scenarios – During the final portion of training, the astronauts learned how to properly and safely install/remove cargo from Dream Chaser, using the same procedures and operational tools as they will on orbit. They practiced with numerous restraints (i.e., straps, beams, etc.), identified hazards associated with cargo operations and ran scenario drills.

“This was probably the most important lesson of the day because the whole point of Dream Chaser coming to the ISS is to deliver cargo,” Abler said.

Press release photo captions:

Quote
Crew 7 Astronauts Train in Sierra Space Dream Chaser mockup

Quote
NASA’s Jasmin Moghbeli trains in Sierra Space's Dream Chaser spaceplane mockup
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Dream Chaser has been powered up for the first time!

Quote
Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser® Spaceplane Comes to Life

MAY 31, 2023

Sierra Space, a leading, pureplay commercial space company building the first end-to-end business and technology platform in space, is thrilled to announce the successful power up of its revolutionary Dream Chaser® spaceplane.

Dream Chaser represents a groundbreaking leap in space transportation technology, designed to provide reliable and cost-effective access to space for a wide range of applications. With its unique lifting body design, the spaceplane combines the flexibility of an aircraft with the capabilities of a spacecraft, revolutionizing space travel.

The power-up of Dream Chaser signifies the activation of its integrated systems, showcasing the culmination of years of rigorous engineering, design, and testing. Sierra Space simulated the power that will be generated from Dream Chaser’s solar arrays once on orbit. Test engineers plugged that power into Dream Chaser and began turning on systems. Sierra Space exercised flight computers, base processors and low-voltage distribution units.

“This is a milestone that points to the future and is a key moment in a long journey for Dream Chaser.” said Tom Vice, CEO of Sierra Space. “With this significant achievement, our Dream Chaser spaceplane is poised to redefine commercial space travel, opening up new possibilities for scientific research, technological advancements, and economic opportunities in space.”

The successful test was a key moment for the progress of space technology after years of design and development across Sierra Space, enabled by the accomplishments of many teams from system level design to final assembly and test.

[...]
Lukas C. H. • Hobbyist Mission Patch Artist 🎨 • May the force be with you my friend, Ad Astra Per Aspera ✨️

Offline deltaV

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET 2023
« Reply #26 on: 06/01/2023 02:19 am »
https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1639266593564766211

Quote
Some news: Dream Chaser’s debut is delayed until at least mid-December. This extends NASA’s reliance on Falcon 9 for crew *and* cargo. More critically, it also raises questions about Vulcan’s launch manifest and path to certification.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/03/dream-chaser-is-delayed-again-raising-questions-about-vulcan-launch-plans/

I love how the entity most responsible for causing these delays (Sierra Space) is the entity that has to pay for the delays. Such an improvement compared to various other NASA programs that are off-topic in this thread where taxpayers pay for contractor mistakes. :)

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #27 on: 06/08/2023 11:26 pm »
SFN Launch Schedule, updated June 8:
Early 2024
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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #28 on: 06/09/2023 01:11 pm »

I love how the entity most responsible for causing these delays (Sierra Space) is the entity that has to pay for the delays. Such an improvement compared to various other NASA programs that are off-topic in this thread where taxpayers pay for contractor mistakes. :)

No, it depends on who pays for the launch service.

Offline zubenelgenubi

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #29 on: 06/14/2023 12:38 am »
Heads-up.  Will remediation delay this launch, even if the Peregrine/Kuiper pair launch proceeds as-is?  (rhetorical question at this time)
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1668314430785097728
Quote
Root cause found. Working corrective action and retest.

Root cause of Centaur failure on test stand for is:

https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1668571711061610496

Quote
The super thin, high performance steel skin needs to be a little thicker near the top of the dome.
« Last Edit: 06/14/2023 12:40 am by zubenelgenubi »
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Offline Vahe231991

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #30 on: 06/14/2023 01:04 am »
Heads-up.  Will remediation delay this launch, even if the Peregrine/Kuiper pair launch proceeds as-is?  (rhetorical question at this time)
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1668314430785097728
Quote
Root cause found. Working corrective action and retest.

Root cause of Centaur failure on test stand for is:

https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1668571711061610496

Quote
The super thin, high performance steel skin needs to be a little thicker near the top of the dome.
Here's my scenario: The launch of the USSF-106 aboard the Vulcan could come first, followed by the maiden orbital launch of the Dream Chaser. After all, Sierra Nevada might give itself additional time in the second half of 2023 to prepare the Dream Chaser vehicle Tenacity for encapsulation inside the Vulcan assigned to the first Dream Chaser launch and eventual launch.
« Last Edit: 06/14/2023 01:05 am by Vahe231991 »

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #31 on: 06/14/2023 01:45 am »
Here's my scenario: The launch of the USSF-106 aboard the Vulcan could come first, followed by the maiden orbital launch of the Dream Chaser. After all, Sierra Nevada might give itself additional time in the second half of 2023 to prepare the Dream Chaser vehicle Tenacity for encapsulation inside the Vulcan assigned to the first Dream Chaser launch and eventual launch.
USSF-106 is an NSSL flight. NSSL rules require that Vulcan Centaur must fly at least two successful missions before ti flies an NSSL mission. In theory I suppose ULA could fly a Kuiper mission as the second mission, except that Kuiper probably won't fly a full-up mission until after the first two test satellites fly (on Vulcan Centaur's initial flight) and the test results have been evaluated.

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #32 on: 06/14/2023 02:32 am »
Here's my scenario: The launch of the USSF-106 aboard the Vulcan could come first, followed by the maiden orbital launch of the Dream Chaser. After all, Sierra Nevada might give itself additional time in the second half of 2023 to prepare the Dream Chaser vehicle Tenacity for encapsulation inside the Vulcan assigned to the first Dream Chaser launch and eventual launch.
USSF-106 is an NSSL flight. NSSL rules require that Vulcan Centaur must fly at least two successful missions before ti flies an NSSL mission. In theory I suppose ULA could fly a Kuiper mission as the second mission, except that Kuiper probably won't fly a full-up mission until after the first two test satellites fly (on Vulcan Centaur's initial flight) and the test results have been evaluated.
Since NSSL rules require the Vulcan rocket to fly two successful missions before being certified for NSSL launches, I should mention that because the Dream Chaser Tenacity was recently powered up for the first time on May 31, it might make its first orbital flight in a few months after the Peregrine is launched.
« Last Edit: 06/14/2023 03:55 am by Vahe231991 »

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #33 on: 06/14/2023 03:15 pm »

Since NSSL rules require the Vulcan rocket to fly two successful missions before being certified for NSSL launches, I should mention that because the Dream Chaser Tenacity was recently powered up for the first time on May 31, it might make its first orbital flight in a few months after the Peregrine is launched.

No, it is a long ways from launching, more than a year

Offline Craigles


Since NSSL rules require the Vulcan rocket to fly two successful missions before being certified for NSSL launches, I should mention that because the Dream Chaser Tenacity was recently powered up for the first time on May 31, it might make its first orbital flight in a few months after the Peregrine is launched.

No, it is a long ways from launching, more than a year
Medium, heavy, and rideshare launch demand is strong. If Peregrine and Dream Chaser are not ready, competitive alternative customers should be scheduled. Playing "schedule chicken" and finger pointing are not an abject circumstance. Even if Centaur V is not ready, get everything else ready. Even if BE-4 is not ready, get everything else ready. Waste anything but time here, because wasted time will waste money and add risk.
I'd rather be here now

Offline Craigles


Since NSSL rules require the Vulcan rocket to fly two successful missions before being certified for NSSL launches, I should mention that because the Dream Chaser Tenacity was recently powered up for the first time on May 31, it might make its first orbital flight in a few months after the Peregrine is launched.

No, it is a long ways from launching, more than a year
Medium, heavy, and rideshare launch demand is strong. If Peregrine and Dream Chaser are not ready, competitive alternative customers should be scheduled. Playing "schedule chicken" and finger pointing are not an abject circumstance. Even if Centaur V is not ready, get everything else ready. Even if BE-4 is not ready, get everything else ready. Waste anything but time here, because wasted time will waste money and add risk.
Perhaps my comment belongs in the Vulcan general discussion thread, https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44390.0 .
I'd rather be here now

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #36 on: 06/17/2023 05:25 pm »

Since NSSL rules require the Vulcan rocket to fly two successful missions before being certified for NSSL launches, I should mention that because the Dream Chaser Tenacity was recently powered up for the first time on May 31, it might make its first orbital flight in a few months after the Peregrine is launched.

No, it is a long ways from launching, more than a year
Medium, heavy, and rideshare launch demand is strong. If Peregrine and Dream Chaser are not ready, competitive alternative customers should be scheduled. Playing "schedule chicken" and finger pointing are not an abject circumstance. Even if Centaur V is not ready, get everything else ready. Even if BE-4 is not ready, get everything else ready. Waste anything but time here, because wasted time will waste money and add risk.
I got the (perhaps mistaken) impression that the first two flights of any new LV are considered to be risky and the customers get a discount and probably self-insure. It's certainly the case that the risk of LV schedule slippage is high, so a customer that needs a payload to launch on time will probably decide to avoid the first one or two launches of a new LV. One way for ULA to avoid this is to launch their own dummy payload, as SpaceX did with FH.

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #37 on: 06/27/2023 06:05 pm »
Cross post:

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1673753912526905345

Quote
Vice on Cargo Dream Chaser's timeline to inaugural launch: Shipping vehicle to NASA's Armstrong test facility this summer, then to Kennedy for integration with ULA by year end, and targeting launch in a window between late December and early February.

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #38 on: 06/27/2023 07:26 pm »
What is the Dream Chaser vehicle Tenacity being shipped to NASA Armstrong for?

Offline whitelancer64

What is the Dream Chaser vehicle Tenacity being shipped to NASA Armstrong for?

Vacuum and acoustic / environmental testing.

The Armstrong Test Facility was formerly known as Plum Brook.
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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #40 on: 06/28/2023 12:47 am »
Medium, heavy, and rideshare launch demand is strong. If Peregrine and Dream Chaser are not ready, competitive alternative customers should be scheduled. Playing "schedule chicken" and finger pointing are not an abject circumstance. Even if Centaur V is not ready, get everything else ready. Even if BE-4 is not ready, get everything else ready. Waste anything but time here, because wasted time will waste money and add risk.

No, that is not realistic. Not easy to call up a payload.  Customers don't want to get ready and then be told to stand down.  It costs money to even prep a spacecraft for shipment and get a team together for the launch site.  Also, processing facility space is at a premium and it is also not cheap.
« Last Edit: 06/28/2023 12:54 am by Jim »

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #41 on: 06/28/2023 06:19 am »
Medium, heavy, and rideshare launch demand is strong. If Peregrine and Dream Chaser are not ready, competitive alternative customers should be scheduled. Playing "schedule chicken" and finger pointing are not an abject circumstance. Even if Centaur V is not ready, get everything else ready. Even if BE-4 is not ready, get everything else ready. Waste anything but time here, because wasted time will waste money and add risk.

No, that is not realistic. Not easy to call up a payload.  Customers don't want to get ready and then be told to stand down.  It costs money to even prep a spacecraft for shipment and get a team together for the launch site.  Also, processing facility space is at a premium and it is also not cheap.

There is one particular payload that can be call up in a hurry. A mass simulator. :P

Of course that should only be done for the inaugural launch of a new launcher.

However ULA could fly another launch with a mass simulator if the Vulcan Centaur stack exhibits non-minor issues with the inaugural launch with a mass simulator.

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #42 on: 06/28/2023 02:35 pm »
Medium, heavy, and rideshare launch demand is strong. If Peregrine and Dream Chaser are not ready, competitive alternative customers should be scheduled. Playing "schedule chicken" and finger pointing are not an abject circumstance. Even if Centaur V is not ready, get everything else ready. Even if BE-4 is not ready, get everything else ready. Waste anything but time here, because wasted time will waste money and add risk.

No, that is not realistic. Not easy to call up a payload.  Customers don't want to get ready and then be told to stand down.  It costs money to even prep a spacecraft for shipment and get a team together for the launch site.  Also, processing facility space is at a premium and it is also not cheap.

There is one particular payload that can be call up in a hurry. A mass simulator. :P

Of course that should only be done for the inaugural launch of a new launcher.

However ULA could fly another launch with a mass simulator if the Vulcan Centaur stack exhibits non-minor issues with the inaugural launch with a mass simulator.
I'm sure Elon will sell you a Tesla to use as a mass simulator. It worked for the Falcon Heavy.  :)

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #43 on: 06/28/2023 09:31 pm »
Medium, heavy, and rideshare launch demand is strong. If Peregrine and Dream Chaser are not ready, competitive alternative customers should be scheduled. Playing "schedule chicken" and finger pointing are not an abject circumstance. Even if Centaur V is not ready, get everything else ready. Even if BE-4 is not ready, get everything else ready. Waste anything but time here, because wasted time will waste money and add risk.

No, that is not realistic. Not easy to call up a payload.  Customers don't want to get ready and then be told to stand down.  It costs money to even prep a spacecraft for shipment and get a team together for the launch site.  Also, processing facility space is at a premium and it is also not cheap.

There is one particular payload that can be call up in a hurry. A mass simulator. :P

Of course that should only be done for the inaugural launch of a new launcher.

However ULA could fly another launch with a mass simulator if the Vulcan Centaur stack exhibits non-minor issues with the inaugural launch with a mass simulator.
I'm sure Elon will sell you a Tesla to use as a mass simulator. It worked for the Falcon Heavy.  :)

I'll take the big ol' concrete block instead, please. I prefer the more traditional take on the mass simulator.
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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #44 on: 06/29/2023 07:38 am »
I'll take the big ol' concrete block instead, please. I prefer the more traditional take on the mass simulator.

A tank of water is better as you can vent it to space, leaving a lighter structure that re-enters quicker.
« Last Edit: 06/29/2023 07:39 am by Steven Pietrobon »
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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #45 on: 06/29/2023 08:08 pm »
Medium, heavy, and rideshare launch demand is strong. If Peregrine and Dream Chaser are not ready, competitive alternative customers should be scheduled. Playing "schedule chicken" and finger pointing are not an abject circumstance. Even if Centaur V is not ready, get everything else ready. Even if BE-4 is not ready, get everything else ready. Waste anything but time here, because wasted time will waste money and add risk.

No, that is not realistic. Not easy to call up a payload.  Customers don't want to get ready and then be told to stand down.  It costs money to even prep a spacecraft for shipment and get a team together for the launch site.  Also, processing facility space is at a premium and it is also not cheap.

There is one particular payload that can be call up in a hurry. A mass simulator. :P

Of course that should only be done for the inaugural launch of a new launcher.

However ULA could fly another launch with a mass simulator if the Vulcan Centaur stack exhibits non-minor issues with the inaugural launch with a mass simulator.
I'm sure Elon will sell you a Tesla to use as a mass simulator. It worked for the Falcon Heavy.  :)
The Atlas V did not carry a mass simulator on its first launch, and a mass simulator won't work for the Vulcan.

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #46 on: 06/30/2023 12:13 am »
Medium, heavy, and rideshare launch demand is strong. If Peregrine and Dream Chaser are not ready, competitive alternative customers should be scheduled. Playing "schedule chicken" and finger pointing are not an abject circumstance. Even if Centaur V is not ready, get everything else ready. Even if BE-4 is not ready, get everything else ready. Waste anything but time here, because wasted time will waste money and add risk.

No, that is not realistic. Not easy to call up a payload.  Customers don't want to get ready and then be told to stand down.  It costs money to even prep a spacecraft for shipment and get a team together for the launch site.  Also, processing facility space is at a premium and it is also not cheap.

There is one particular payload that can be call up in a hurry. A mass simulator. :P

Of course that should only be done for the inaugural launch of a new launcher.

However ULA could fly another launch with a mass simulator if the Vulcan Centaur stack exhibits non-minor issues with the inaugural launch with a mass simulator.
I'm sure Elon will sell you a Tesla to use as a mass simulator. It worked for the Falcon Heavy.  :)
The Atlas V did not carry a mass simulator on its first launch, and a mass simulator won't work for the Vulcan.
Why do you say a simulator wouldn't work?

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - early 2024
« Reply #47 on: 07/11/2023 10:27 pm »
Cross-posts; will this delay this launch?
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1678844068703477762

Quote
Scoop – One of Blue Origin’s BE-4 rocket engines exploded during a test firing in Texas on June 30, according to CNBC sources.

The engine was to be delivered this month to ULA for Vulcan’s Cert-2 launch. More:

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/11/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-be-4-rocket-engine-explodes-during-testing.html

Quote
KEY POINTS

Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin suffered a rocket engine explosion while testing its BE-4 rocket engine last month, CNBC has learned.

During a firing on June 30 at Blue Origin’s facility in West Texas, a BE-4 engine detonated about 10 seconds into the test.

A Blue Origin spokesperson confirmed the incident, noting that no personnel were injured and that an investigation is underway, with a “proximate cause” identified.

Article says that the engine that exploded was Vulcan flight engine 3. Not clear what, if any impact there is to Vulcan. Blue Origin have said they will still meet their engine delivery commitments this year.

<snip> Wider implications for the Vulcan programme belong here (with discussion of the engine issue on the BE-4 thread).
« Last Edit: 07/11/2023 10:34 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - H1 2024
« Reply #48 on: 07/13/2023 06:49 pm »
This is still the second launch:
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1679512399282417666
Quote
ULA CEO @torybruno, during a media roundtable, lays out the upcoming schedule of Vulcan launches:
Cert-1 in 2023 Q4
Cert-2 in first half 2024
First Space Force (NSSL) launch in second half 2024

https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1679526697157156867
Quote
Centaur V will be qualified for the Cert-1 trajectory for the flight by the end of this year. Remaining tests will be completed in 1st Q 2024. Cert-2 flight is Sierra Space's Dream Chaser "a few months" after Cert-1. First NSSL launch in 2nd Q 2024.
« Last Edit: 07/13/2023 06:56 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - H1 2024
« Reply #49 on: 07/25/2023 05:10 pm »
https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1683886557340610591

Quote
NASA's Joel Montalbano said the agency's current expectation is that Dream Chaser's debut flight to the ISS will take place during the first half of 2024; but acknowledged that potential delays to the Vulcan rocket and spacecraft may require further adjustments to the right.

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - H1 2024
« Reply #50 on: 07/31/2023 03:37 am »
Sierra mission patch:

https://twitter.com/systems_zero/status/1685820461504933888

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So I asked and was told I could post this

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - H1 2024
« Reply #51 on: 08/17/2023 11:54 am »
From Blue Origin BE-4 factory thread:

https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1692141606605041833

Quote
Dan Caughran, who runs the Rocket Factory in Decatur, decided to pop next door to Huntsville and check on the BE4 production ramp up at @blueorigin 's brand new, very modern, Rocket Engine Factory.  Lots of WIP! And,... do I spy a #VulcanRocket CERT2 engine in final assembly?

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - H1 2024
« Reply #52 on: 08/18/2023 12:39 am »
Huntsville is indeed ramping up which is why the Cert-2 engine is being built there rather than Kent:

https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1692329409561427993

Quote
Yes. Huntsville is coming up faster

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - H1 2024
« Reply #53 on: 08/29/2023 11:47 pm »
https://twitter.com/SierraSpaceCo/status/1696647177357930682

Quote
The cargo module’s folded solar array "wing" being installed to the deployment and release mechanisms.
These arrays provide reliable charging capabilities for all on-board batteries while in orbit.

« Last Edit: 08/29/2023 11:52 pm by Robert_the_Doll »

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - H1 2024
« Reply #54 on: 08/30/2023 06:59 pm »
During a press-briefing in advance of the NROL-107 / Silent Barker mission, Tory Bruno says this launch is scheduled for "Very Early Next Year": (25:10)

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BE-4s for Cert-2 finished and in ATP:

https://twitter.com/Mkanug1/status/1707024461613105423
Quote
@torybruno
 how are the flight 2 engines coming along, and are you done with the failure investigation
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1707059461314208026
Quote
In ATP Yes, done

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« Last Edit: 10/10/2023 03:09 pm by Jim »

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https://twitter.com/SierraSpaceCo/status/1696647177357930682


Clean room?
Doesn't look like it,  more like a factory floor with PPE, but not in smocks. Back to the ol' days of first couple Cargo Dragons

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https://twitter.com/SierraSpaceCo/status/1696647177357930682


Clean room?

Not a clean room because it's not needed. The factory in itself meets the required cleanliness levels (which are not at clean room levels anyway). What the image shows is nearly identical to SpaceX mounting solar arrays to Dragon (version 1) in the HIF at LC-40, or attaching the trunk to the capsule in those days (2012). And that was for the first ever Dragon that visited the ISS.
« Last Edit: 10/17/2023 08:19 am by woods170 »

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https://twitter.com/SgtSchrodinger/status/1717603172708229449
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1717643108379222205

Quote
Speaking of ATPs, do you have an update for us on the Cert-2 BE-4s? A few weeks ago you'd said they were in ATP in Texas, and I hope things are going well or went well.

Quote
Going well.  Booster is built up and ready to receive them.
« Last Edit: 10/26/2023 09:30 pm by zubenelgenubi »

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - NET Q1 2024
« Reply #60 on: 10/27/2023 07:11 am »
Now scheduled for April 2024.

https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/commercial-space/ula-sets-dec-24-target-date-vulcans-debut

"Cert-2 is expected to launch Sierra Space’s first Dream Chaser cargo ship to the ISS. The flight, previously targeted for December and then delayed to early 2024, is now tentatively slated for April 2024, Janet Kavandi, Sierra Space president and chief science officer, told Aerospace DAILY at the AIAA’s Ascend conference in Las Vegas."
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

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Now scheduled for April 2024.

https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/commercial-space/ula-sets-dec-24-target-date-vulcans-debut

"Cert-2 is expected to launch Sierra Space’s first Dream Chaser cargo ship to the ISS. The flight, previously targeted for December and then delayed to early 2024, is now tentatively slated for April 2024, Janet Kavandi, Sierra Space president and chief science officer, told Aerospace DAILY at the AIAA’s Ascend conference in Las Vegas."

The first few months of 2024 appear to be a busy time at the ISS. Four crewed flights (Axion-3. SpX Crew-8, Soyuz MS 25, and Boeing crew test along with possibly five uncrewed missions, two making their first flights (NG-20, SpX-30, Progress, HTV-X, and Dreamchaser with the later two being the ones potentially making their inaugural runs.


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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #62 on: 10/27/2023 05:29 pm »
Quote
Ken Shields of Sierra Space says the first Dream Chaser spaceplane will be heading to Plum Brook in the next week or two for testing, then to KSC. Current plans call for launch no earlier than March 2024.

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1717951358295486733
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Offline Jim

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #63 on: 10/27/2023 06:46 pm »
Not a clean room because it's not needed. The factory in itself meets the required cleanliness levels (which are not at clean room levels anyway). What the image shows is nearly identical to SpaceX mounting solar arrays to Dragon (version 1) in the HIF at LC-40, or attaching the trunk to the capsule in those days (2012). And that was for the first ever Dragon that visited the ISS.

No, not the same in many ways.  SpaceX is in an semi isolated part of the hangar that had additional filters.
Also, they have hair nets, beard covers, booties and clean room smocks.  They are following cleanroom protocol.  And they were not leaning over the spacecraft.  The access platforms are diapered.

SN has no beard covers, booties or hair nets.   They have pockets on their "smocks" and they are unbuttoned and they can lean over hardware.

One guy is scratching his head/adjusting helmet with a gloved hand.   Put some nice hair oil on those solar arrays.
Was the access platform cleaned before leaning over the spacecraft?

You can give and take on the actual facility environment.  But you can't pick and choose the personnel protocol.
« Last Edit: 10/29/2023 12:15 pm by Jim »

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #64 on: 11/05/2023 06:33 am »
Quote
yoooo. when will vulcan flight 2 launch?

https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1721010862927040763

Quote
Early next year

Hmm, I wouldn’t call April early next year - not sure if this suggests a change (such as a different 2nd flight?) or if Tory is being a little optimistic.

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #65 on: 11/06/2023 06:16 pm »
Quote
Sierra Space completes first Dream Chaser
November 6, 2023

[...]

Sierra Space has not disclosed a target launch date for that first Dream Chaser mission, but Shields said that mission is currently planned for launch “some time in March.” That date will depend not only on the readiness of Dream Chaser itself but also the Vulcan launch vehicle. The launch will be the second flight of Vulcan, after an inaugural launch in late December of Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander.

[...]
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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #66 on: 11/06/2023 06:34 pm »
Quote
Sierra Space completes first Dream Chaser
November 6, 2023

[...]

Sierra Space has not disclosed a target launch date for that first Dream Chaser mission, but Shields said that mission is currently planned for launch “some time in March.” That date will depend not only on the readiness of Dream Chaser itself but also the Vulcan launch vehicle. The launch will be the second flight of Vulcan, after an inaugural launch in late December of Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander.

[...]
Unless things change, it is unlikely that a docking port will be available in March. There are two ports. One will be occupied by Crew-8 and the other will occupied starting March 4 by CRS-29, statistically for at least 30 days.
  (Note: data from Wikipedia. I have no other info.)
       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Dragon_2#List_of_flights


Nope. Dream chasers are apparently designed to be configured prior to launch for one of either berthing or docking. This one will be configured for berthing, so it contended with Cygnus and other spacecraft for the berthing ports and not with Dragon 2. Sorry.
« Last Edit: 11/06/2023 07:48 pm by DanClemmensen »

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #67 on: 11/06/2023 07:24 pm »
Unless things change, it is unlikely that a docking port will be available in March. There are two ports. One will be occupied by Crew-8 and the other will occupied starting March 4 by CRS-29, statistically for at least 30 days.
  (Note: data from Wikipedia. I have no other info.)
       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Dragon_2#List_of_flights

Dream Chaser cargo missions are going to be berthed using the Common Berthing Mechanism, not docked to one of the International Docking Adapters.
Launches Seen: Atlas V OA-7, Falcon 9 Starlink 6-4, Falcon 9 CRS-28,

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #68 on: 11/06/2023 07:40 pm »
Unless things change, it is unlikely that a docking port will be available in March. There are two ports. One will be occupied by Crew-8 and the other will occupied starting March 4 by CRS-29, statistically for at least 30 days.
  (Note: data from Wikipedia. I have no other info.)
       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Dragon_2#List_of_flights

Dream Chaser cargo missions are going to be berthed using the Common Berthing Mechanism, not docked to one of the International Docking Adapters.
Sorry. I was going from my memory of this image:
     https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dream_Chaser_Docked_to_ISS.jpg
But I see that the image is now about 13 years old.   Where should I have looked to finds this info before I posted?

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #69 on: 12/15/2023 12:39 pm »
https://twitter.com/sierraspaceco/status/1735645890554007998

Quote
Dream Chaser Tenacity is at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility and set to be vertically stacked in launch configuration with Shooting Star. The two vehicles will soon be subjected to the extreme conditions of launch vibrations.

https://www.sierraspace.com/newsroom/press-releases/dream-chaser-spaceplane-enters-final-test-campaign/

Quote
Quote
Sierra Space’s Revolutionary Dream Chaser® Enters Final Test Campaign, Spaceplane Transitioning to Orbital Operations
DECEMBER 15, 2023
|   NEWS
Wings Are Back

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – Dec. 15, 2023 – Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company building the first end-to-end business and technology platform in space to benefit of life on Earth, has delivered the first Dream Chaser spaceplane, Tenacity, to NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.

Dream Chaser, the world’s only commercial spaceplane, has entered the final testing phase ahead of its first flight in 2024. The testing campaign will confirm the spacecraft’s resilience to the challenges of launch and the demanding conditions of space as it prepares for its inaugural mission to the International Space Station under a multi-mission NASA contract.

Dream Chaser joins Sierra Space’s cargo module, Shooting Star™, which arrived at the NASA test facility in November. The two vehicles are set to be stacked in launch configuration and undergo rigorous environmental testing starting in the Mechanical Vibration Facility. The test will subject them to the extreme conditions of launch vibrations on the world’s most powerful spacecraft shaker table.

Sierra Space is unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the utmost reliability of its cutting-edge technologies. Dream Chaser, crafted in tandem with the groundbreaking Shooting Star cargo module, will reinvent space transportation and usher in the burgeoning era of space commercialization known as the Orbital Age®.

“At Sierra Space, we are ushering in the next industrial revolution with a business and technology platform that provides our customers with a complete turn-key solution offering space as a service,” said Sierra Space CEO Tom Vice. “Our platform includes Dream Chaser, a revolutionary, highly reusable commercial spaceplane with global runway access, and the first business-ready commercial space station, leveraging the most advanced expandable structural architecture that will exponentially decrease the cost of product development and manufacturing in space.”

Sierra Space is Revolutionizing Space Transportation – Dream Chaser’s Unique Capabilities:

No More Plunging into the Ocean – Dream Chaser Uses the World’s Global Commercial Runways
Designed To Be Highly Reusable – Minimum 15 Missions Per System
Fully Autonomous Operations
High-Capacity Up Mass and Down Mass Payloads (Pressurized & Unpressurized)
Low G Landings – Better for Science, Cargo and Crew
Fast Access to Payloads and Science Upon Landing – Easy to Integrate into Ground Logistics
Breakthrough Green Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Propulsion System
Second Dream Chaser Vehicle, Reverence, In Production

Selected by a NASA contract:

Dream Chaser was selected by NASA for cargo delivery, return and disposal service for the International Space Station under the Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) contract.

High reusability and flexibility:

Dream Chaser’s highly customizable design makes it ideal for a range of applications, providing fast turnaround times to support various LEO needs. The fleet will provide greater efficiencies with high reusability and mark the beginning of a new era of space commercialization. The multi-mission spaceplane fleet is designed to transport crew and cargo to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and can be customized for both domestic and international customers for global operations.

NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility:

NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility is part of NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Located on 6,400 acres in Sandusky, Ohio, it is home to some of the world’s largest and most capable space simulation test facilities, where ground tests are conducted for the U.S. and international space and aeronautics communities.

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #70 on: 12/15/2023 04:39 pm »
This launch is not scheduled yet. April is just a "tentative" launch readiness target for Dream Chaser. Neither NASA nor ULA have commited to that date. No entry in NASA launch schedule, and way to quick turnaround between the first two launches of a new rocket.

Realistically it will launch in Q3 if there are no issues with first Vulcan launch.
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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #71 on: 12/15/2023 04:56 pm »
This launch is not scheduled yet. April is just a "tentative" launch readiness target for Dream Chaser. Neither NASA nor ULA have commited to that date. No entry in NASA launch schedule, and way to quick turnaround between the first two launches of a new rocket.

Realistically it will launch in Q3 if there are no issues with first Vulcan launch.
I find your lack of faith disturbing. According to ULA, USSF, and NASA, there are six Vulcan Centaur flights in 2024:
   Peregrine, Dream Chaser SNC Demo-1, USSF-106, GPS III SV07, USSf-87, and USSF-112
        See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_Centaur#Planned_launches
The later flights are contingent of successful completion of the two certification flights, which are peregrine and Dream Chaser. Therefore, these two flights are scheduled to succeed.

This is true even though ULA is also launching three Atlas V from the same pad in March and April:
     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Atlas_launches_(2020%E2%80%932029)#Future_launches

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #72 on: 12/22/2023 11:37 am »
This launch is not scheduled yet. April is just a "tentative" launch readiness target for Dream Chaser. Neither NASA nor ULA have commited to that date. No entry in NASA launch schedule, and way to quick turnaround between the first two launches of a new rocket.

Realistically it will launch in Q3 if there are no issues with first Vulcan launch.
I find your lack of faith disturbing. According to ULA, USSF, and NASA, there are six Vulcan Centaur flights in 2024:
   Peregrine, Dream Chaser SNC Demo-1, USSF-106, GPS III SV07, USSf-87, and USSF-112
        See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_Centaur#Planned_launches
The later flights are contingent of successful completion of the two certification flights, which are peregrine and Dream Chaser. Therefore, these two flights are scheduled to succeed.

This is true even though ULA is also launching three Atlas V from the same pad in March and April:
     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Atlas_launches_(2020%E2%80%932029)#Future_launches
In accordance of my estimate of a maximum of 6 launches from pad SLC-41 during 2024 from another thread. It is unlikely there will be more than 3 Vulcan Centaur launches in 2024, IMO. More likely just 2 with the Dreamchaser launching NET than late Q3, IMO.

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Re: Vulcan - Dream Chaser to ISS - CCSFS SLC-41 - April 2024
« Reply #73 on: 12/22/2023 02:43 pm »
This launch is not scheduled yet. April is just a "tentative" launch readiness target for Dream Chaser. Neither NASA nor ULA have commited to that date. No entry in NASA launch schedule, and way to quick turnaround between the first two launches of a new rocket.

Realistically it will launch in Q3 if there are no issues with first Vulcan launch.
I find your lack of faith disturbing. According to ULA, USSF, and NASA, there are six Vulcan Centaur flights in 2024:
   Peregrine, Dream Chaser SNC Demo-1, USSF-106, GPS III SV07, USSf-87, and USSF-112
        See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_Centaur#Planned_launches
The later flights are contingent of successful completion of the two certification flights, which are peregrine and Dream Chaser. Therefore, these two flights are scheduled to succeed.

This is true even though ULA is also launching three Atlas V from the same pad in March and April:
     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Atlas_launches_(2020%E2%80%932029)#Future_launches
In accordance of my estimate of a maximum of 6 launches from pad SLC-41 during 2024 from another thread. It is unlikely there will be more than 3 Vulcan Centaur launches in 2024, IMO. More likely just 2 with the Dreamchaser launching NET than late Q3, IMO.
Clearly, you do not know how to operate the ULA reality distortion field (URDF). After using the URDF, you can fit all six Vulcan Centaur flights, plus the three Atlas V flights, plus two or more additional Atlas flights for Kuiper, all into 2024 while launching only six times. You can still manage to launch the final Delta IV heavy in March using the same personnel.

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I would rather call it UCRDF - ULA's customers' reality distortion field. Not ULA but Sierra is talking about April. The same is true for most of the other dates in the launch schedules. They are published by customers who know that no rocket will be available by then. But for the (very common) case that the payload will not be ready in time, they can blame the launch delay on the rocket.   ;)
« Last Edit: 12/23/2023 10:03 am by PM3 »
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On a slightly more serious note. ULA launched Atlas V eight times from SLC-40SLC-41 in 2014 and in 2015, while also launching Atlas V from Vandy and Delta IV from SLC-37B for a total of 12 launches each year.

SLC-40SLC-41 is configured for both Vulcan and Atlas, and I think I remember Jim saying posting at least some of the pre-launch processing can be done in parallel for one Atlas V and one Vulcan. Therefore, it may be possible to exceed the 2015 eight-launch record.
« Last Edit: 12/23/2023 07:55 pm by DanClemmensen »

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On a slightly more serious note. ULA launched Atlas V eight times from SLC-40 in 2014 and in 2015, while also launching Atlas V from Vandy and Delta IV from SLC-37B for a total of 12 launches each year.

SLC-40 is configured for both Vulcan and Atlas, and I think I remember Jim saying posting at least some of the pre-launch processing can be done in parallel for one Atlas V and one Vulcan. Therefore, it may be possible to exceed the 2015 eight-launch record.

SLC-41, not SLC-40  ;)

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On a slightly more serious note. ULA launched Atlas V eight times from SLC-40SLC-41 in 2014 and in 2015, while also launching Atlas V from Vandy and Delta IV from SLC-37B for a total of 12 launches each year.

SLC-40SLC-41 is configured for both Vulcan and Atlas, and I think I remember Jim saying posting at least some of the pre-launch processing can be done in parallel for one Atlas V and one Vulcan. Therefore, it may be possible to exceed the 2015 eight-launch record.
Will point out that back in 2015 ULA has separate pad crews for SLC-41, SLC37B, SLC-6 & SLC-3E. Not the current one launch pad crew for ULA. Therefore more than 6 launches from pad SLC-41 during 2024 isn't likely.

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On a slightly more serious note. ULA launched Atlas V eight times from SLC-40SLC-41 in 2014 and in 2015, while also launching Atlas V from Vandy and Delta IV from SLC-37B for a total of 12 launches each year.

SLC-40SLC-41 is configured for both Vulcan and Atlas, and I think I remember Jim saying posting at least some of the pre-launch processing can be done in parallel for one Atlas V and one Vulcan. Therefore, it may be possible to exceed the 2015 eight-launch record.
Will point out that back in 2015 ULA has separate pad crews for SLC-41, SLC37B, SLC-6 & SLC-3E. Not the current one launch pad crew for ULA. Therefore more than 6 launches from pad SLC-41 during 2024 isn't likely.

Not really,  they only had 2 1/2 crews

Offline Zed_Noir

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On a slightly more serious note. ULA launched Atlas V eight times from SLC-40SLC-41 in 2014 and in 2015, while also launching Atlas V from Vandy and Delta IV from SLC-37B for a total of 12 launches each year.

SLC-40SLC-41 is configured for both Vulcan and Atlas, and I think I remember Jim saying posting at least some of the pre-launch processing can be done in parallel for one Atlas V and one Vulcan. Therefore, it may be possible to exceed the 2015 eight-launch record.
Will point out that back in 2015 ULA has separate pad crews for SLC-41, SLC37B, SLC-6 & SLC-3E. Not the current one launch pad crew for ULA. Therefore more than 6 launches from pad SLC-41 during 2024 isn't likely.

Not really,  they only had 2 1/2 crews
Stand corrected. However that is more pad crew personnel than ULA have currently.

Just out for curiosity, how are the 2 1/2 crews allocated?
 

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BE-4 engines for this launch are complete and being tested, Booster and Centaur Upper Stage in final assembly:

Quote
Vulcan on the pad for its first launch
January 5, 2024

[...]

If Cert-1 is successful, he said the company could be ready for the second certification launch, Cert-2, as soon as April. That schedule will depend on the readiness of its payload, Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser spaceplane, as well as when the International Space Station would be able to support the arrival of that vehicle.

Peller said the two BE-4 engines for that second launch are complete and are at a Blue Origin test site in West Texas for acceptance testing. The booster and Centaur upper stage are in final assembly at ULA’s Decatur, Alabama, factory. “That’s all coming together to support delivery down here at the launch site and align with that timeline,” he said.

[...]
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January 8 V001 Cert-1 launch success!
« Last Edit: 01/08/2024 06:36 pm by zubenelgenubi »
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Is the readiness of Dreamchaser the pacing item on this flight now rather Vulcan.
« Last Edit: 01/08/2024 10:19 am by Star One »

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Is the readiness of Dreamchaser the pacing item on this flight now rather Vulcan.

Maybe. Has there been any indication of the status of the (long) fairing?
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Cert-2 Update via Ars Technica

Quote
United Launch Alliance, or ULA, has set aside the next 60 days to review data from the "Cert-1" certification mission that launched on Monday morning, they said. If the data looks good from that flight, the company will move into preparations for the next launch. Wentz said the earliest opportunity to launch this Cert-2 mission is "April-ish."

The BE-4 rocket engines that will power this Vulcan are in final acceptance testing at Blue Origin's facilities in West Texas, the officials said. The Vulcan core stage and Centaur upper stage are also in final assembly in ULA's main factory in Decatur, Alabama. The hardware readiness should be capable of supporting an April launch.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/01/after-its-impressive-first-flight-heres-whats-next-for-the-vulcan-rocket/
« Last Edit: 01/10/2024 11:44 pm by Conexion Espacial »
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Crosspost:

https://twitter.com/thefavoritist/status/1753084426324476263

Quote
Tenacity & Shooting Star, @SierraSpaceCo’s new cargo carrying spaceplane planned for launch in 2024.

Learn more from NSF at: nasaspaceflight.com/?s=dream%2Bcha…

Photos for @NASASpaceflight

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So what is the timeline for this second launch? It would seem that if they are shooting for an April launch, the BE4s would need to be getting to the main body about now. That would mean Feb is assembly and transport, then march is stacking and prep.

Will they do a booster test fire like on CERT 1?

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So what is the timeline for this second launch? It would seem that if they are shooting for an April launch, the BE4s would need to be getting to the main body about now. That would mean Feb is assembly and transport, then march is stacking and prep.

Will they do a booster test fire like on CERT 1?

This is not for launch. This is on the vibration table at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, and it is the first time ever that Dream Chaser has been mated to a Shooting Star module. So there is still a deal more of testing to do on this vehicle before it can be shipped to Kennedy Space Center for its processing for launch. April is a very notional placeholder date, especially since Starliner CFT could likely well also launch during this time period and might even bump it due to having priority.

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Offline DanClemmensen

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So what is the timeline for this second launch? It would seem that if they are shooting for an April launch, the BE4s would need to be getting to the main body about now. That would mean Feb is assembly and transport, then march is stacking and prep.

Will they do a booster test fire like on CERT 1?

This is not for launch. This is on the vibration table at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, and it is the first time ever that Dream Chaser has been mated to a Shooting Star module. So there is still a deal more of testing to do on this vehicle before it can be shipped to Kennedy Space Center for its processing for launch. April is a very notional placeholder date, especially since Starliner CFT could likely well also launch during this time period and might even bump it due to having priority.
Also USSF-51, theoretically in March, and Viasat-3, theoretically in June. I have no idea how to evaluate launch cadence, especially when both Vulcan and Atlas V are involved. Also the last Delta IV Heavy in early March. Different pad, but maybe some of the same ULA personnel?
« Last Edit: 02/01/2024 09:32 pm by DanClemmensen »

Offline Jim

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Will they do a booster test fire like on CERT 1?

no and Cert 1 didn't do it either.  A pathfinder did.

Offline whitelancer64

So what is the timeline for this second launch? It would seem that if they are shooting for an April launch, the BE4s would need to be getting to the main body about now. That would mean Feb is assembly and transport, then march is stacking and prep.

Will they do a booster test fire like on CERT 1?

Traditionally, ULA has only done a flight readiness firing test prior to the first launch. Afterwards there are no hot fire tests.
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Offline whitelancer64

Will they do a booster test fire like on CERT 1?

no and Cert 1 didn't do it either.  A pathfinder did.

This is actually incorrect, the Vulcan Cert-1 first stage did the FRF in June 2023. Pathfinder never lit its engines.
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Offline DrTadd

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Thank you. I was remembering ULA doing a hot fire. It was like a minute or two burn.

Was curious if they would do that for CERT 2 given the importance of the launch.

Offline Jim

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Thank you. I was remembering ULA doing a hot fire. It was like a minute or two burn.

Was curious if they would do that for CERT 2 given the importance of the launch.

no.  One time only event
« Last Edit: 02/02/2024 04:16 pm by Jim »

Offline Todd Martin

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Considering the loss of Dragon in CRS-7, will Dream Chaser have any abort options for this flight?

Offline Zed_Noir

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Considering the loss of Dragon in CRS-7, will Dream Chaser have any abort options for this flight?
Probably not. The Cargo Dreamchaser is inside a payload fairing with folded wings mated to the Shooting Star module. Also AFAIK Sierra Space remove the abort propulsion system from the Cargo Dreamchaser.

Offline StraumliBlight

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Considering the loss of Dragon in CRS-7, will Dream Chaser have any abort options for this flight?

Seeing as Sierra Space signed a MOU with Spaceport Cornwall in 2021; Tenacity could eject from a high altitude failure and perform a UK runway landing (similar to the Space Shuttle at Shannon Airport).

Providing that the software is enabled!

Offline Salo

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Is it possible to launch Atlas 5 and Vulcan from the same launch complex in April?

Offline gongora

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This flight isn't launching in April

Offline DanClemmensen

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This flight isn't launching in April
My uninformed guess is that you are correct. Is your assertion your opinion, or is it based on anything specific. What is the limiting factor: Vulcan Centaur, Dream Chaser, or pad availability?

Offline gongora

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I think Vulcan and pad will be available before Dream Chaser is ready.

This was filed recently:
0129-EX-ST-2024
Quote
Sierra Space seeks a Special Temporary Authority for EMI/EMC testing of its Dream Chaser spacecraft planned to be launched in summer of 2024 for a demonstration mission to support cargo delivery to and from the International Space Station. This testing is to be conducted in partnership with NASA and NTS Technical Systems (Element Materials Technology). Sierra Space is requesting an STA for EMC and EMI testing to occur between March 24th, 2024, and September 20th, 2024. The testing will support Sierra Space Corporation’s DC-101 mission using the Dream Chaser Cargo System (DCCS), as part of the NASA Commercial Resupply Services. See also Exhibit A.

Quote
This testing is to be conducted in partnership with NASA and NTS Technical Systems.
It will be conducted approximately 60 days prior to launch most likely by NTS Technical Systems (a NIST
designated, US Conformity Assessment Body for EMC) in the High-Bay of the Space Station Processing
Facility (SSPF) at the Kennedy Space Center (an NTIA authorized testing facility in Florida).

Offline deltaV

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Quote
Dream Chaser spacecraft planned to be launched in summer of 2024 ... EMC and EMI testing to occur between March 24th, 2024, and September 20th, 2024

Quote
[This testing] will be conducted approximately 60 days prior to launch

If they're only requesting permission to test after March 24th and the testing will be about 60 days before launch it sounds like we can conclude this launch is now NET approximately 60 days after March 24th, i.e. NET approximately May 23rd. This is consistent with their mention of "launched in summer of 2024". So the "April 2024" in the thread title is out of date and should be replaced with "NET late May 2024" or "Summer 2024".

Offline zubenelgenubi

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NextSpaceflight, updated February 9, 10, or 11:
Launch NET June 2024

June is the end month of Q2 2024, and (NET quarter end-month) is often used on NextSF.
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Offline Vultur

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Given this delay, will this still be the 2nd Vulcan launch?

Offline DrTadd

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Given this delay, will this still be the 2nd Vulcan launch?

Government launches just need two, right? Don't matter what's on them i would think.

Question is what else do they have to go up? Does amazon have a pile of satellites ready?

Would they offer a cost break given the near perfect nature of the CERT 1 launch?

Offline ThatOldJanxSpirit

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Given this delay, will this still be the 2nd Vulcan launch?

Government launches just need two, right? Don't matter what's on them i would think.

Question is what else do they have to go up? Does amazon have a pile of satellites ready?

Would they offer a cost break given the near perfect nature of the CERT 1 launch?

If Amazon had a pile of Kuiper sats ready they would be launching them on Atlas.

Offline Zed_Noir

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Given this delay, will this still be the 2nd Vulcan launch?

Government launches just need two, right? Don't matter what's on them i would think.

Question is what else do they have to go up? Does amazon have a pile of satellites ready?

Would they offer a cost break given the near perfect nature of the CERT 1 launch?

If Amazon had a pile of Kuiper sats ready they would be launching them on Atlas.

The only one with stacks of LEO satcoms laying about is the folks from Hawthorne. Wonder how many flatpack V2 mini could be stack in the Vulcan long payload fairing along with 6 strapped-on solid boosters?

ULA will give a discount to whomever will provide the payload. It is more important that the CERT 2 launch be done as soon as possible to allow NSSL launches to commenced.

Of course the Vulcan launching stacks of satcoms for Hawthorne seems be highly unlikely, but not improbable.  ;)

Offline daedalus1

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Whatever discount they give,  it wouldn't be cheaper than launching on a Falcon 9.

Offline Zed_Noir

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Whatever discount they give,  it wouldn't be cheaper than launching on a Falcon 9.
Doesn't matter if it is cheaper launching on the Falcon 9. It is extra launch opportunity for deploying more Stanlink satcoms in addition to Starlink launches on the SpaceX manifest. The objective is to get as many comsats to orbit as soon as possible so they can generated revenue.

This is getting off topic. Further discussions should be in the Starlink general discussion thread.

Offline AndrewM

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Dream Chaser completed shock and vibe and is moving into thermal vacuum testing at NASA Glenn, once completed Tenacity and Shooting Star will ship to the Cape for launch.

Quote
Key accomplishments in this first critical phase of pre-flight testing included: the completion of Sine Vibration Testing (in all three axes or directions), a Separation Shock Test that simulates the separation of the Dream Chaser from Shooting Star and a test that involved deploying the spaceplane’s wings. These tests evaluated Dream Chaser’s performance under the stresses of launch, operation in orbit and ability to communicate with the International Space Station (ISS).

Quote
Following these critical test phases, the Shooting Star cargo module was de-mated from Dream Chaser and transported from the Armstrong Test Facility’s Space Environments Complex (SEC) to the nearby In-Space Propulsion (ISP) facility. Soon, Dream Chaser will be transported to the ISP facility to join the cargo module, where the two spacecraft will begin thermal vacuum testing, a crucial step in the journey towards the launchpad and another milestone in Sierra Space’s mission to redefine the future of space commercialization.

https://www.sierraspace.com/newsroom/press-releases/sierra-space-dream-chaser-spaceplane-successfully-completes-first-phase-of-pre-flight-testing/

At the Crew 8 Post FRR briefing on February 25th, it was mentioned that environmental testing was planned to complete in March followed by shipment to the Cape shortly after. With CFT also delayed to early May, its a safe bet of mid/late May at the earliest which matches the FCC filing.

Offline gongora

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Sierra Space filed for another FCC permit, apparently for Dream Chaser on orbit communications.  Unfortunately they haven't made any of the exhibits public.  The NET date is September.
0441-EX-ST-2024

Offline PM3

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Sierra Space filed for another FCC permit, apparently for Dream Chaser on orbit communications.  Unfortunately they haven't made any of the exhibits public.  The NET date is September.
0441-EX-ST-2024

It runs until March 2025. As the NET date of such FCC  filings usually is very optimistic - could this be for the second Dream Chaser mission?
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Online GewoonLukas_

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Cross-post:

On March 11, 2024, the NASA FY25 Budget Request was released. In the FY 2025 Full Budget Request (Congressional Justification) document, on page SO-26 (sheet 138), NG-21 was shown as a August 2024 launch date.

https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2025-budget-request/

Showed this mission for June:
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