The current version of the F9 is not certified
“As part of this reintroduction of competition, we’ve been working with our industry partners to develop and finalize this RFP,” said Leon. “Their feedback has been critical to developing the criteria for this source selection and how we are innovating government processes to better match commercial processes as directed by OSD’s Better Buying Power 3.0.
Quote from: Jim on 10/01/2015 12:46 amThe current version of the F9 is not certifiedFrom the article:"“With the recent certification of SpaceX, we now have multiple launch service providers that can service critical NSS missions. .... ” said Dr. Claire Leon, director of SMC’s Launch Enterprise Directorate."How are these two statements compatible?
Respectfully I disagree. Dr Leon introduces the notion that a launch service provider can be certified. The sentence quoted says nothing about launch vehicle certification.
“With the recent certification of SpaceX, we now have multiple launch service providers that can service critical NSS missions. .... ” said Dr. Claire Leon, director of SMC’s Launch Enterprise Directorate."
Quote from: sdsds on 10/01/2015 08:13 amRespectfully I disagree. Dr Leon introduces the notion that a launch service provider can be certified. The sentence quoted says nothing about launch vehicle certification.Semantics:Quote“With the recent certification of SpaceX, we now have multiple launch service providers that can service critical NSS missions. .... ” said Dr. Claire Leon, director of SMC’s Launch Enterprise Directorate."For a certified launch service provider to be able to service critical NSS missions, said launch service provider MUST have a certified launch vehicle.Meaning: the fact that SMC acknowledges that SpaceX is a certified launch service provider means that SpaceX, according to SMC, has a certified launch vehicle.That is incompatible to Jim stating that the current version of F9 is not certified. Note the word 'current' to which Jim, IMO, has given an incorrect interpretation.
Quote from: woods170 on 10/01/2015 10:33 amQuote from: sdsds on 10/01/2015 08:13 amRespectfully I disagree. Dr Leon introduces the notion that a launch service provider can be certified. The sentence quoted says nothing about launch vehicle certification.Semantics:Quote“With the recent certification of SpaceX, we now have multiple launch service providers that can service critical NSS missions. .... ” said Dr. Claire Leon, director of SMC’s Launch Enterprise Directorate."For a certified launch service provider to be able to service critical NSS missions, said launch service provider MUST have a certified launch vehicle.Meaning: the fact that SMC acknowledges that SpaceX is a certified launch service provider means that SpaceX, according to SMC, has a certified launch vehicle.That is incompatible to Jim stating that the current version of F9 is not certified. Note the word 'current' to which Jim, IMO, has given an incorrect interpretation.They have the v1.1 certified. They will be offering the v1.1 Full Thrust, which I believe, is currently not. But with 3 launches they should be able to do the delta certification (which is a lot easier than a full new certification), and the contractor (SpaceX) is fully certified.
Delta cert will have to be done for NASA too
I remember reading somewhere, but cant currently find, an Air Force statement that delta certification would not require 3 flights depending on the scope of the change.
Quote from: Jim on 10/01/2015 01:14 pmDelta cert will have to be done for NASA tooNot for a USAF launch, which is after all the subject of this thread...
The 'current' vehicle is F9 v1.1. The full thrust F9 does not become the 'current' vehicle until it has actually flown AND the last F9 v1.1 has flown.So, currently (no pun intended) SpaceX does have a certified launcher.
Quote from: woods170 on 10/01/2015 01:42 pmThe 'current' vehicle is F9 v1.1. The full thrust F9 does not become the 'current' vehicle until it has actually flown AND the last F9 v1.1 has flown.So, currently (no pun intended) SpaceX does have a certified launcher.I thought they yet to be flown Jason-3 would be the last F9 v1.1 to fly.