A first tethered test flight? I assume that it remained tethered, or was there an actual drop and landing?
Quote from: matejz on 05/29/2012 08:01 pmQuote from: vt_hokie on 05/27/2012 11:50 pmAny indication on how close they are to rolling out the atmospheric test vehicle? Seems like all is quiet on the vehicle development front...Looks like they're pretty close: http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_20733780/spacecraft-tested-tuesday-at-broomfield-airportThe first tethered test flight from a SkyCrane helicopter took place earlier today Also, great pics and video of the flight and preparation in the L2 section.
Quote from: vt_hokie on 05/27/2012 11:50 pmAny indication on how close they are to rolling out the atmospheric test vehicle? Seems like all is quiet on the vehicle development front...Looks like they're pretty close: http://www.dailycamera.com/broomfield-news/ci_20733780/spacecraft-tested-tuesday-at-broomfield-airport
Any indication on how close they are to rolling out the atmospheric test vehicle? Seems like all is quiet on the vehicle development front...
I think the expectation is the rear hatch will have a small window for a center-line camera - just like on the Shuttle docking system hatch.Some depictions of the Dream Chaser show what could be an instrument bay door on the left of the fuselage (see below) which could house star-trackers, etc. (maybe airspeed also?). Of course you can just point rangefinders out the cockpit windows too. So my guess is you approach ISS 'frontwards' and then turn 180 degrees in place, and then come in by camera.
If a center-line camera is insufficient for Dragon, I would imagine that it would be insufficient for Dream Chaser as well. (This assumes that a pilot direct line of sight will be in the final requirements)
Quote from: adrianwyard on 05/30/2012 10:37 pmI think the expectation is the rear hatch will have a small window for a center-line camera - just like on the Shuttle docking system hatch.Some depictions of the Dream Chaser show what could be an instrument bay door on the left of the fuselage (see below) which could house star-trackers, etc. (maybe airspeed also?). Of course you can just point rangefinders out the cockpit windows too. So my guess is you approach ISS 'frontwards' and then turn 180 degrees in place, and then come in by camera.If a center-line camera is insufficient for Dragon, I would imagine that it would be insufficient for Dream Chaser as well. (This assumes that a pilot direct line of sight will be in the final requirements)
Are there front windows on the Soyuz, or am I missing something here?
Quote from: jtrame on 05/30/2012 11:39 pmAre there front windows on the Soyuz, or am I missing something here?Yes, there is a front window on Soyuz, but it is rarely (if ever) used during docking - a periscope attached the descent module is used by the pilot.But Soyuz is 'grandfathered' into ISS operations anyway (just like Shuttle), so any requirements for future manned visiting spacecraft does not apply to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcrYurGgs_0
I apologize if this isn't related to the spacecraft's real function, but doesn't the Dreamchaser look very awkward on the rocket?
There's the rocket, and then the dreamchaser looks out of place on top.
Many foreign people might think: Oh look! The U.S just makes a shuttle clone to fly themselves up again!
Nicely dealt with Tom!
That does bring up a good point. What and where is the LAS?