Quote from: BrianNH on 10/21/2015 08:32 pmI wouldn't be surprised if Dragonfly was modified to do that - using up some of the living/cargo space for extra fuel tanks. That isn't a capability that Dragon 2 would need.To do what?Fly to 7000 ft? It has that capability.Carry cargo instead of passengers? It has that capability. (Technically Dragonfly won't carry passengers. That was a comment for Dragon V2.)There is no evidence that SpaceX is considering a modified Crew Dragon for anything, other than the rumored SAA for Red Dragon.Of course, we won't be surprised if SpaceX does any of a number of wild things, because they have in the past. edit: clarity
I wouldn't be surprised if Dragonfly was modified to do that - using up some of the living/cargo space for extra fuel tanks. That isn't a capability that Dragon 2 would need.
Quote from: Chris Bergin on 10/16/2015 04:53 pmBy the way, per L2's McGregor Photos and Update Section, Dragonfly has been photographed at McGregor, as has a big, big crane. I've asked SpaceX if they want to talk to us about the upcoming test objectives, but we'll be writing an article next week regardless.Here's the article - with L2 photos and some cool L2 renderings by Nathan http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/10/spacex-dragonfly-arrives-mcgregor-testing/When they start the testing at McGregor we'll set up an update thread.
By the way, per L2's McGregor Photos and Update Section, Dragonfly has been photographed at McGregor, as has a big, big crane. I've asked SpaceX if they want to talk to us about the upcoming test objectives, but we'll be writing an article next week regardless.
As Lars pointed out, Dragon would not be expected to have enough fuel for both a propulsive high altitude launch and a propulsive landing. It would not be unreasonable to add extra tanks to cover the fuel needed for the launch portion.
Is the DragonFly modified from the Pad Abort vehicle or a new build? sorry, my search fu is not very high.
Quote from: DatUser14 on 10/21/2015 07:02 pmIs the DragonFly modified from the Pad Abort vehicle or a new build? sorry, my search fu is not very high. Added a few words to the article to confirm this is the former Pad Abort vehicle that's now DragonFly (albeit it scrubbed clean, rebuilt and ready to go again).
From the article the second hope test will be propulsive to about 7,000 ft and then propulsive landing ( engines throttled down ). For 12.5 seconds up and 12.5 seconds down the engines will not be at full power for the fully propulsive hop test.
Quote from: RocketmanUS on 10/22/2015 12:41 amFrom the article the second hope test will be propulsive to about 7,000 ft and then propulsive landing ( engines throttled down ). For 12.5 seconds up and 12.5 seconds down the engines will not be at full power for the fully propulsive hop test.Any one able to calculate what that equates to in delta-v?
Why doesn't it sound correct?
As much as I like fully propulsive landing, the propulsive assist landing on land seems safer plus it gives redundancy if there is parachute failure. Let the cargo version use fully propulsive landing.
Quote from: TrevorMonty on 10/23/2015 03:15 amAs much as I like fully propulsive landing, the propulsive assist landing on land seems safer plus it gives redundancy if there is parachute failure. Let the cargo version use fully propulsive landing.It has always looked like a compromise would be optimum, at least for the interim: Drogue chutes and propulsive assist. Plenty of time to test the SuperDracos after drogue deployment, much less velocity to kill allowing for lower thrust over a longer time while eating the gravity loss, much less time than parachutes so less drift. No need to use the big chutes if all goes well.However, this has never been discussed, to my knowledge. Why?
Quote from: Comga on 10/23/2015 03:33 amQuote from: TrevorMonty on 10/23/2015 03:15 amAs much as I like fully propulsive landing, the propulsive assist landing on land seems safer plus it gives redundancy if there is parachute failure. Let the cargo version use fully propulsive landing.It has always looked like a compromise would be optimum, at least for the interim: Drogue chutes and propulsive assist. Plenty of time to test the SuperDracos after drogue deployment, much less velocity to kill allowing for lower thrust over a longer time while eating the gravity loss, much less time than parachutes so less drift. No need to use the big chutes if all goes well.However, this has never been discussed, to my knowledge. Why?Maybe drag from the drogue chutes / any chutes would interfere with GNC of the capsule using the SDs?