Re (d) - if F9 can really do 13t expendable to LEO, ISTM it could manage both a Dragon and a Cygnus (perhaps part loaded).
Quote from: MP99 on 11/29/2014 03:53 pmRe (d) - if F9 can really do 13t expendable to LEO, ISTM it could manage both a Dragon and a Cygnus (perhaps part loaded). SpaceX listed 13.15 tonnes payload to a 185 km x 28.5 deg orbit. That only means 12 point something tonnes (maybe 12.3 tonnes, give or take) to a 51.6 deg ISS orbit, still at only 185 km.The most recent Dragons were more than 8.6 tonnes loaded, and the blown up Cygnus was something like 5.6 tonnes loaded. - Ed Kyle
BTW, SpaceX lists Dragon as 6,000 kg (apparently including cargo, and including trunk cargo)...
You are all assuming this launch is going to be from the East Coast and thus the full payload capability of F9 will be available. Does their near term manifest allow for an East Coast launch, or is the "hole" in the manifest just SLC-4? Should be plenty of performance for Cygnus vs Dragon off the West Coast.
Quote from: newpylong on 11/30/2014 11:07 amYou are all assuming this launch is going to be from the East Coast and thus the full payload capability of F9 will be available. Does their near term manifest allow for an East Coast launch, or is the "hole" in the manifest just SLC-4? Should be plenty of performance for Cygnus vs Dragon off the West Coast.West coast depends on NASA being able to load Cygnus there, especially late load. Do we know they can do it in Vandenberg?
Late loads for Cygnus were processed horizontally the same as Dragon. Flying loads out west shouldn't be an issue. Dragon science return is handled from out west.
Quote from: Prober on 11/30/2014 12:09 pmLate loads for Cygnus were processed horizontally the same as Dragon. Flying loads out west shouldn't be an issue. Dragon science return is handled from out west.Not the same. Cygnus is in a fairing, where as Dragon is not. There is no access to the Cygnus while in the fairing. Dragon can be accessed at the pad. Location of science return has no bearing on prelaunch early access
Quote from: Jim on 11/30/2014 03:24 pmQuote from: Prober on 11/30/2014 12:09 pmLate loads for Cygnus were processed horizontally the same as Dragon. Flying loads out west shouldn't be an issue. Dragon science return is handled from out west.Not the same. Cygnus is in a fairing, where as Dragon is not. There is no access to the Cygnus while in the fairing. Dragon can be accessed at the pad. Location of science return has no bearing on prelaunch early accesshuh? you saying Cygnus didn't do late loading?again flying late loads out to the West coast vs East coast should NOT be and issue.
again flying late loads out to the West coast vs East coast should NOT be and issue.
SpaceFlight Insider has received word that the potential prime “contender” to ferry Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Cygnus spacecraft to orbit, and thus allow Orbital to complete its requirements under the $1.9 billion Commercial Resupply Services (CRS ) contract – is none other than fellow CRS participant – SpaceX. If this turns out to be true, it would mean that both current CRS firms – would be flying on the same rocket.Source: spaceflightinsider.com
Quote from: mr. mark on 11/27/2014 07:33 pmSpaceFlight Insider has received word that the potential prime “contender” to ferry Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Cygnus spacecraft to orbit, and thus allow Orbital to complete its requirements under the $1.9 billion Commercial Resupply Services (CRS ) contract – is none other than fellow CRS participant – SpaceX. If this turns out to be true, it would mean that both current CRS firms – would be flying on the same rocket.Source: spaceflightinsider.comWhat surprises me the most about this information is that SpaceX can make two F9s available within a year (expected launch dates mid - late 2015) of being ordered. The industry norm is 2 years. With the RLV SpaceX could have lead times in months even weeks if customers are willing to use a 2nd hand booster. The other plus for customers is the option to launch earlier if their satellite is ready, complete satellites don't make any money sitting on ground waiting on LVs. To compete competitors may need to have spare LVs.
IIRC According to Jim LVs are build to order to the payload. So having a number of spare cores might not work.Of course SpaceX have the advantage of being able to modifying a LV stack on the fly since they have very few supply chain bottlenecks. Most parts are just on the other side of the SpaceX factory instead of on other side of the country.
IIRC According to Jim LVs are build to order to the payload. So having a number of spare cores might not work.
It's not a two in one year. Orbital expects about two years for the 200 Antares.
Quote from: baldusi on 12/03/2014 06:27 pmIt's not a two in one year. Orbital expects about two years for the 200 Antares.I picked up somewhere that Orbital expects a hotfire at the end of 2015. I can't recall where though, so feel free to call bunk on it.