Wonder to what extent SpaceX might be helped or hindered by the current down time. Any thoughts?
2. IIRC the in-filght abort test was scheduled to use SLC-39A sometime during the last month or two of this year. SpaceX now seems to be targeting RTF for December of this year and has said they would resume by using SLC-39A. Once RTF happens it would seem there will be much pressure on SpaceX to catch back up on its launch manifest which might make test time on SLC-39A hard to come by.
1. Last year when SX had down time waiting for RTF it seemed they used that time well. At RTF their first launch was their first Falcon v1.1 full thrust with subcooled oxygen and cooled RP-1 among many other enhancements. Interestingly, that first flight was also their first successful recovery of a first stage on land. Could this all have been coincidence or were they somehow able to refocus resources?
Quote from: BruceM on 10/15/2016 03:51 pm1. Last year when SX had down time waiting for RTF it seemed they used that time well. At RTF their first launch was their first Falcon v1.1 full thrust with subcooled oxygen and cooled RP-1 among many other enhancements. Interestingly, that first flight was also their first successful recovery of a first stage on land. Could this all have been coincidence or were they somehow able to refocus resources?This actually did seem to be coincidence based on the timing of their accident.
A few SpaceX notes from listening to the presentation by Kathy Lueders at the NAC HEO Committee meeting yesterday (you can find the recordings here). The first round of structural tests on Crew Dragon are done, continuing with further testing.They should do the space suit qualification next quarter.They have their 5th parachute test scheduled for this coming Saturday.The crew access arm is at LC-39A, they are waiting until Spring to install it so SpaceX can get the pad up and running for their other launches.They have been doing unit testing on the ECLSS systems and are getting ready for integrated testing.
Some updates: 10 Flight to ISS Without Crew: now November 201716 Flight to ISS with Crew: now May 20188 Flight Test without Crew Certification Review (FTCR): was 3 months before uncrewed flight, so likely Aug 201714 Design Certification Review (DCR): was 1 month after unscrewed flight, so likely Dec 201715 Flight Test Readiness Review (FTRR): was 1 month before crewed flight, so likely April 201817 Operations Readiness Review (ORR): was 3 months after crewed flight, so likely Aug 201818 Certification Review (CR): was 3 months after ORR, so likely November 20189 ECLSS Integrated Test Complete: probably Q1 2017 (see below)11 Parachute Qualification Complete: may be on track for this month, but likely Q1 2017 (see below)12 Space Suit Qualification Testing Complete: probably Q1 2017 (see below)13 Launch Site Operational Readiness Review for Crew: probably Q2 2017 (see below)Quote from: gongora on 11/16/2016 12:18 amA few SpaceX notes from listening to the presentation by Kathy Lueders at the NAC HEO Committee meeting yesterday (you can find the recordings here). The first round of structural tests on Crew Dragon are done, continuing with further testing.They should do the space suit qualification next quarter.They have their 5th parachute test scheduled for this coming Saturday.The crew access arm is at LC-39A, they are waiting until Spring to install it so SpaceX can get the pad up and running for their other launches.They have been doing unit testing on the ECLSS systems and are getting ready for integrated testing.
So where will the in-flight abort test be?
Quote from: DOCinCT on 01/06/2017 03:34 pmSo where will the in-flight abort test be?It is after the uncrewed flight and before the crewed flight. So, probably something like February 2018. It isn't on this list because it isn't technically a CCtCAP milestone. SpaceX proposed the the pad abort and inflight abort tests under the previous development contract leading up to the CCtCAP.
Quote from: rockets4life97 on 01/06/2017 03:39 pmQuote from: DOCinCT on 01/06/2017 03:34 pmSo where will the in-flight abort test be?It is after the uncrewed flight and before the crewed flight. So, probably something like February 2018. It isn't on this list because it isn't technically a CCtCAP milestone. SpaceX proposed the the pad abort and inflight abort tests under the previous development contract leading up to the CCtCAP.I would think you would want to know the abort system works before being asked to fly a mission.
10 Flight to ISS Without Crew: now November 2017<snip>11 Parachute Qualification Complete: may be on track for this month, but likely Q1 2017 (see below)
The parachute test is just one of an evaluation regimen that is expected to include many additional parachute drops of increasing complexity. (emphasis added)
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/eclss-put-to-the-test-for-commercial-crew-missions I wonder if this is a signal that the "ECLSS Integrated Test Complete" milestone is finished or getting close.
80KSC018F0039 Effective Date 12/15/2017, Completion Date 04/16/2018 $10,134,469.00...In accordance with this task order statement of work, the Contractor shall perform an Inconel tank feasibility study and submit a cost proposal to implement follow-on Inconel development and initial cost information regarding full transition to Inconel tanks for crewed vehicles. The feasibility report includes manufacturing R&D activities performed, results; and detailed information regarding the Spin-forming Process.The task order also includes Solid Oxygen (SOx) test stand development and build; ground fluid system and supporting infrastructure development in order to collect information regarding the pressurized tanks used in the CTS.