Author Topic: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones  (Read 95594 times)

Offline BruceM

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #120 on: 10/15/2016 03:51 pm »

Wonder to what extent SpaceX might be helped or hindered by the current down time.  Any thoughts?

Thank you for your good thoughts, OnWithTheShow.  Here are a few factors that seemed maybe relevant:

Possibly contributing to a delay:
1. The 'all hands on deck' approach to RTF might take resources or at least management attention away from the CCtCAP effort.
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.

Possibly favoring CCtCAP development:
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?
2. Would it be possible for SX to use operational or other resources (such as assigning one or more new hires) originally targeted to other areas to the CCtCAP effort?

Or maybe OnWithTheShow nailed it and and there will be no net effect.

Online gongora

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #121 on: 10/15/2016 04:13 pm »
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.
The in-flight abort slipped out of 2016 a long time ago.  We shouldn't be surprised if it happens in early 2018 now.

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?
This actually did seem to be coincidence based on the timing of their accident.

Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #122 on: 10/16/2016 07:04 pm »

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?
This actually did seem to be coincidence based on the timing of their accident.

I don't think it's a coincidence: I've seen comments from SpaceX employees on Reddit that said they were able to work faster on other projects while F9 production line was halted in 2015.
« Last Edit: 10/19/2016 03:33 pm by AbuSimbel »
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Offline BruceM

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #123 on: 10/18/2016 11:11 pm »
Very interesting.
-
Wonder if that might have implications for RTF this time as well and, if so, what they might be.

Offline rockets4life97

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #124 on: 01/06/2017 03:03 pm »
Some updates:

10  Flight to ISS Without Crew: now November 2017
16  Flight to ISS with Crew: now May 2018

8  Flight Test without Crew Certification Review (FTCR): was 3 months before uncrewed flight, so likely Aug 2017
14  Design Certification Review (DCR): was 1 month after uncrewed flight, so likely Dec 2017
15  Flight Test Readiness Review (FTRR): was 1 month before crewed flight, so likely April 2018
17  Operations Readiness Review (ORR): was 3 months after crewed flight, so likely Aug 2018
18  Certification Review (CR): was 3 months after ORR, so likely November 2018


9   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)

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.
« Last Edit: 01/06/2017 03:42 pm by rockets4life97 »

Offline DOCinCT

Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #125 on: 01/06/2017 03:34 pm »
Some updates:

10  Flight to ISS Without Crew: now November 2017
16  Flight to ISS with Crew: now May 2018

8  Flight Test without Crew Certification Review (FTCR): was 3 months before uncrewed flight, so likely Aug 2017
14  Design Certification Review (DCR): was 1 month after unscrewed flight, so likely Dec 2017
15  Flight Test Readiness Review (FTRR): was 1 month before crewed flight, so likely April 2018
17  Operations Readiness Review (ORR): was 3 months after crewed flight, so likely Aug 2018
18  Certification Review (CR): was 3 months after ORR, so likely November 2018


9   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)

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.
So where will the in-flight abort test be?

Offline rockets4life97

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #126 on: 01/06/2017 03:39 pm »
So 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.

Offline DOCinCT

Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #127 on: 01/06/2017 03:50 pm »
So 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.

Offline rockets4life97

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #128 on: 01/06/2017 03:53 pm »
Boeing won't be doing an inflight abort. The pad abort will be considered enough.

Online envy887

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #129 on: 01/06/2017 04:31 pm »
So 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.

It's already been tested. And it's not exactly needed for the uncrewed flight.

Offline deruch

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #130 on: 01/18/2017 05:36 am »
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 Qualification won't be complete until after DM-1 (non-crew flight).  They'll use data from that flight as part of the qualification.  See the calendar in the bottom attachment of this comment.  They are planning on more than 5 tests.  A whole slew of them.  Here's part of NASA's statement after the fourth(?) test last August:
Quote
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://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2016/08/19/spacex-conducts-successful-crew-dragon-parachute-system-test/
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Offline rockets4life97

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #131 on: 03/08/2017 04:38 pm »
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.

Offline whitelancer64

Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #132 on: 03/08/2017 05:02 pm »
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.
Nice to see (what are presumably very close to) the flight windows!

Also the pictures linked in the NASA article are enormous. Tons of details in there. I must say, I do like the lift with "DRAGON R&D" painted on it :)
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Offline Lars-J

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #133 on: 03/08/2017 05:04 pm »
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.

And here are the images:

Offline Roy_H

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #134 on: 04/19/2017 02:10 pm »
Chart from March 28, 2017 https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=37802.380
Also updated listing on first page.
« Last Edit: 04/19/2017 02:18 pm by Roy_H »
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Offline woods170

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #135 on: 01/19/2018 11:28 am »
Chart from November 2017.

Offline Roy_H

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #136 on: 01/19/2018 02:36 pm »
Thanks, woods170 for posting this. I have updated dates on my first post list, but it is not complete as there are now many more milestones than originally listed. I'm not planning on adding these new milestones into the list at this time, so your post will be the only record of them here.


Edit: There are now 16 milestones on this chart still to go. The original list was 18 milestones. I think this partially explains why schedule has been pushed out 2 years from original estimates.
« Last Edit: 01/19/2018 02:49 pm by Roy_H »
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Online gongora

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #137 on: 01/19/2018 05:23 pm »
80KSC018F0039
Effective Date 12/15/2017, Completion Date 04/16/2018  $10,134,469.00

Performance of this Task Order is in accordance with the terms&conditions of the base contract NNK14MA74C. The purpose of the Commercial Crew Program (CCP) is to facilitate the development of a U.S. commercial crew space transportation capability with the goal of achieving safe, reliable and cost effective access to and from low Earth orbit (LEO) including the International Space Station. 

In accordance with the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contract NNK14MA74C, the Contractor shall complete the design, development, test, evaluation, and certification of an integrated CTS capable of transporting NASA crew to and from the ISS, in accordance with the design reference missions and the certification standards and requirements specified in this contract.

In accordance with Attachment J-03, Contract Performance Work Statement (PWS), the task ordering procedures and other terms and conditions in the contract, the Contractor shall perform special studies, test and analyses, as initiated by written direction from the Contracting Officer.  IDIQ tasks may include performing technical, cost, schedule and risk assessments for potential new or changes to existing requirements, as identified by the Government, for their impact on the Contractor's design, schedule and cost/price as it relates to CCtCap or life cycle activities; performing additional analyses, modeling, and/or tests of hardware or software to provide further confidence and understanding of robustness of design and advance planning, feasibility or trade studies for development or certification activities.

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.

Online gongora

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #138 on: 01/19/2018 05:24 pm »
80KSC018F0024
Nov 30, 2017

The Government is unilaterally ordering Special Studies Services in accordance with the following contract clauses for the Augmented Parachute Study:
(1) B. 5 Special Studies (IDIQ) (CLIN 003)
(2) H.7 Special Studies Task Ordering Procedures (Applicable to CLIN 003 Only), and
(3) I.7  FAR 52-216-19 Order Limitations (Oct 1995)  (Applicable to CLINs 002 and 003 of the contract).

Period of Performance of this Task Order is:
1 year after completion of the SpaceX Parachute system qualification program.

Performance of this Task Order is in accordance with the terms&conditions of the base contract NNK14MA74C.
The Contractor shall conduct a Augmented Parachute Testing Study for NASA to collect reliability data on the contractor's parachute deployment system in addition to the contract requirements and additional system-level testing in accordance with the attached Statement of Work.

Task Order Value and Funding:
Total Fixed Priced IDIQ Task Order Value is $34,066,143.
CLIN 001 Total is $25,364,064
CLIN 002 (1 Capsule build) Total is $5,309,195
CLIN 003 (1 PTV build) $3,392,884

Task Order Invoices:
Invoices submitted against task orders shall describe the name of the study and the associated CLIN (CLIN 003) and shall reference the task order number.

Authority to Proceed:
Award of this task order represents the Authority to Proceed (ATP) for CLIN 001 only.
CLIN 002 and CLIN 003 NASA may grant ATP  at  a future date and within the Statement of Work.
At NASAs discretion it may cancel  tests 4th, 5th, and/or 6th.  Reference the discounted Final Milestone Payments in the Statement of Work.

In consideration of the modification agreed to herein as complete equitable adjustment for changes described above, the Contractor hereby releases the Government from any and all liability under this contract for further equitable adjustments attributable to such facts or circumstances giving rise to the proposed adjustment.

Offline Coastal Ron

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Re: SpaceX CCtCAP Milestones
« Reply #139 on: 01/19/2018 05:41 pm »
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.

OK, so NASA is willing to pay SpaceX to investigate an Inconel version of the current Falcon 9 Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel (COPV)?

Or, is this NASA directing SpaceX to investigate using an Inconel version of the COPV?

There are already different versions of the Falcon launcher first stage due to structural differences between the Falcon 9 and the Falcon Heavy core and boosters, and this could introduce additional versions that are different between human-rated Falcon 9's and non-human-rated Falcon 9's. That's a lot of variants to keep track of.

All the more reason to replace them with the BFR/BFS...  ;)
If we don't continuously lower the cost to access space, how are we ever going to afford to expand humanity out into space?

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