But a more realistic scenario is: 6 people onboard, space station disabled, only one of 2 Soyuz capsules are reachable or working. The Soyuz users unberth the Dragon and then undock themselves.
I think it needs to be clarified why the Soyuzes would be either unreachable or inoperable. And if inoperable why it would not be easier to slowly rotate the crew down as was considered for STS-135 crew if they had become stranded.
I think it needs to be clarified why the Soyuzes would be either unreachable or inoperable. And if inoperable why it would not be easier to slowly rotate the crew down as was considered for STS-135 crew if they had become stranded.I feel its necessary to clarify because as of right now it seems like it would be incredibly dangerous to try to return the crew in a cargo Dragon.
Quote from: manboy on 01/21/2012 05:59 amI think it needs to be clarified why the Soyuzes would be either unreachable or inoperable. And if inoperable why it would not be easier to slowly rotate the crew down as was considered for STS-135 crew if they had become stranded.I feel its necessary to clarify because as of right now it seems like it would be incredibly dangerous to try to return the crew in a cargo Dragon.Try a simple reason - the Soyuz crashed whilst docking. Possible damage to both Soyuz and docking port.edit: spelling
Quote from: A_M_Swallow on 01/21/2012 11:34 pmQuote from: manboy on 01/21/2012 05:59 amI think it needs to be clarified why the Soyuzes would be either unreachable or inoperable. And if inoperable why it would not be easier to slowly rotate the crew down as was considered for STS-135 crew if they had become stranded.I feel its necessary to clarify because as of right now it seems like it would be incredibly dangerous to try to return the crew in a cargo Dragon.Try a simple reason - the Soyuz crashed whilst docking. Possible damage to both Soyuz and docking port.edit: spellingAt the moment there are four docking ports on ROS, if one is damaged than there are three other that can be used.
Yes, since they dock at the same location it's unlikely...unless we're talking MMD hit on a soyuz, disabling that Soyuz only. If it happened during a time when Russia was unable to launch (say post another Russian revolution), I could see the scenario unfolding that way.
What I understood from the answers to this topic is that the usage of Dragon as emergency downhill lift is quite risky, especially the control after leaving the ISS space.from reading the CBM specs I understood that without power the berthing mechanismis blocked and can not be reopened manually, because the locking pins. I would suggest anyway to SPACEX and NASA if I may to monitor the environment in the return Dragon capsule with some simulated human load ( heat 60 w per person ? , CO2 exhaust ).something more elaborate then cheese cake. maybe they have thought about it too.cheers
Because it is ( almost) there... the first Cargo Vessel that will return safely to earth with a pressurized roomprobably also with room temperature inside. Monitoring sensors for temperatue pressure, Vibration and humidity are probably already build in ( for the cargo of course ) .such a vessel can really be used first as a return possibility of live experiments from ISS.heater are also surly on board ( for the pressurized cargo) and can be turned on onthe way back to simulate human presence . CO2 can be produced from some pieces of dry ice ..
What's the point of going on with this discussion? The Dragon as currently designed can't be used as a lifeboat. Period.
So what we have is 5 major issues with using Dragon as a lifeboat, some of which restrict number of people or are time-to-deorbit dependant, and two of which, #2B and #5, require additional design work on Dragon or additional lifeboat supplies to be provided.All that says 'yes, Dragon can be used as a life boat in an emergency, but it requires some additional work first'.
Don't worry Jim, the cargo dragon will get an astronaut down, no matter how many trips it takes... cue the bandsaw
All that says 'yes, Dragon can be used as a life boat in an emergency, but it requires some additional work first'.