Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION  (Read 500982 times)

Offline Chris Bergin

THIS IS NOW A GENERAL POST THREAD.

FOR SPECIFIC PRE-LAUNCH UPDATES, SEE THIS THREAD:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28586.0

Please note the difference between this thread and the update thread.

Resources:

Other COTS Demo 2 Threads:
SpaceX COTS Demo 2 Updates
SpaceX COTS Demo 2/3 Updates (THREAD 2)
SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) PRE LAUNCH UPDATES
SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) PRE LAUNCH UPDATES (PART 2)
SpaceX Dragon C2+ Press Kit
SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) VIEWING THREAD
SCRUB: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) LAUNCH ATTEMPT 1 UPDATES
SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) LAUNCH and FD1 UPDATES
SpaceX Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) FD2 and FD3 UPDATES
SpaceX Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) FD4 UPDATES
SpaceX Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) FD5+ (DOCKED OPS) UPDATES
SpaceX Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) FD10 - EOM - UNBERTH, ENTRY, SPLASHDOWN
Year In Review (Part IV - Covering SpaceX Missions COTS 2+ and CRS-1)
OMG it's the SpaceX Party Thread!

Thread 1 (1000 posts, 150,000 reads):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=23538.0

Thread 2 (1700 posts, 280,000 reads):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=26616.0


Links:
SpaceX Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=45.0 - please use this for general questions, non updates.

SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0

SpaceX News Articles (Recent):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/


Recent COTS2/3 Specific articles:

NASA managers aligning to combine final Dragon COTS test missions:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/05/nasa-aligning-combine-final-dragon-cots-missions/

ISS managers evaluating SpaceX via safety reviews ahead of debut arrival:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/iss-managers-spacex-test-safety-reviews-ahead-debut-arrival/

ISS Managers Conduct Expedition 29 FRR, Prepare Station for Post-Shuttle Ops - by Pete Harding:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/iss-managers-expedition-29-frr-prepare-station-post-shuttle-operations/

ISS partners prepare to welcome SpaceX and Orbital in a busy 2012 - by Pete Harding:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/10/iss-partners-welcome-spacex-orbital-busy-2012/

ISS Community reviews Station Progress, Anomalies, and Upcoming Flights - by Chris Gebhardt:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/10/iss-community-reviews-station-progress-anomalies-upcoming-flights/

SpaceX Dragon ISS flight to slip further, pending combined mission approval:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/12/spacex-dragon-flight-slipping-further-combined-approval/

NASA managers announce February 7 launch date for Dragon ISS mission:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/12/nasa-february-7-launch-date-dragon-iss-mission/

ISS performs hardware and software upgrades to support inaugural Dragon visit - by Pete Harding:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/01/iss-hardware-software-upgrades-support-inaugural-dragon-visit/

Dragon ISS flight slips – SpaceX determined to return US crewed access to LEO:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/01/dragon-slips-spacex-determined-return-us-crewed-access-leo/

SpaceX team conduct successful Falcon 9 WDR ahead of Dragon’s ISS debut:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/03/spacex-successful-falcon-9-wdr-dragons-iss-debut/


L2 SpaceX Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=tags&tags=SpaceX

L2 SpaceX Dragon C2/C3 Mission Special (NEW - Exclusively acquired pre-launch and Mission Coverage, Presentations, Graphics, Videos, Updates):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=54.0


« Last Edit: 08/08/2017 10:08 pm by gongora »
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Offline Paul Howard

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #1 on: 03/31/2012 12:27 pm »
This ATV issue won't impact will it?

Offline Chris Bergin

This ATV issue won't impact will it?

No, but as much as that situation is improving already, if anything it shows how much Dragon (and Cygnus) are required. They've all got a lot to make up for via the lack of those big winged ladies that used to launch from KSC.
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Online Orbiter

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #3 on: 03/31/2012 12:44 pm »
COTS-2/3 required 2 update threads and a processing to launch thread and will have a launch day thread plus On Orbit updates.

STS has got nothing on that for NSF.com.

Anyways, looking forward to this launch. Does anyone know how many days before hand the F9 will be raised vertical for launch? Also, the launch time is instantaneous right? Meaning no 10 minute window like for Shuttle?

L-30 days everyone!

Orbiter
KSC Engineer, astronomer, rocket photographer.

Offline psloss

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #4 on: 03/31/2012 12:47 pm »
COTS-2/3 required 2 update threads and a processing to launch thread and will have a launch day thread plus On Orbit updates.

STS has got nothing on that for NSF.com.
Not as much arguing and speculation about STS (or anything else) here.

Offline daver

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #5 on: 03/31/2012 04:28 pm »
  I hope someone has a video camera on the recovery vessel this time.   Would love to watch video of the splashdown.

Offline Space Pete

From the image of Dragon's interior linked below, I think I have figured out what the hardware shown in the attached image might be - a camera, to provide internal views of the Dragon hatch opening.

I just can't think of anything else that it might be, other than a lens. Anyone got any other ideas? I hope it is a camera! :)

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/634899main_mm-dragon.jpg
« Last Edit: 03/31/2012 06:56 pm by Space Pete »
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Offline Jason1701

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #7 on: 03/31/2012 07:25 pm »
That would make for some amazing video.

Offline docmordrid

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #8 on: 03/31/2012 07:33 pm »
PR heaven -

CC: US Congress ;)
DM

Offline Hootz

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #9 on: 03/31/2012 07:45 pm »
PR heaven -

CC: US Congress ;)

**like** :)

Offline Robotbeat

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #10 on: 03/31/2012 07:54 pm »
PR heaven -

CC: US Congress ;)
A successful COTS 2/3 demo (before, say, June) is probably the only shot for getting commercial crew more fully funded by Congress (and keeping the schedule from slipping) this year. Lots of people apparently distrust SpaceX, which is also the de facto standard bearer for commercial crew, and the only way to counter that is with a clear, spectacular success.
Chris  Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Offline cro-magnon gramps

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #11 on: 03/31/2012 08:12 pm »
From the image of Dragon's interior linked below, I think I have figured out what the hardware shown in the attached image might be - a camera, to provide internal views of the Dragon hatch opening.

I just can't think of anything else that it might be, other than a lens. Anyone got any other ideas? I hope it is a camera! :)

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/634899main_mm-dragon.jpg

Hi Pete, enlarged the image to see behind the clear bubble, which appears to be a cover, and behind in the middle is a circular object between two round edged rectangular shapes, the circular object has a blue chromatic reflection, and I am going to go out on a limb and say it is a lens of some sort; whether for a camera or a sensor that is up for grabs;

Gramps
Gramps "Earthling by Birth, Martian by the grace of The Elon." ~ "Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world, but it has not solved one yet." Maya Angelou ~ Tony Benn: "Hope is the fuel of progress and fear is the prison in which you put yourself."

Offline Jim

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #12 on: 03/31/2012 08:21 pm »
Fire detector is an option

Online AnalogMan

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #13 on: 03/31/2012 08:29 pm »
Fire detector is an option

I was thinking some sort of IR sensor given the dark nature of the lens/cover (IR transmitting but visible blocking).  Looks like its convex on the outer surface to me.

Also looks a bit scruffy to me - is this an actual flight unit?

Offline Mapperuo

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #14 on: 04/01/2012 03:15 pm »
Was looking at the NASA TV schedule and notice the launch coverage for April 30th has vanished?

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Breaking.html

A mistake I assume
« Last Edit: 04/01/2012 03:27 pm by Mapperuo »
- Aaron

Offline mr. mark

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #15 on: 04/01/2012 04:43 pm »
We will have to keep an eye on this. The schedule could shift. There is a final review coming mid April.

Offline JayP

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #16 on: 04/01/2012 04:49 pm »
From the image of Dragon's interior linked below, I think I have figured out what the hardware shown in the attached image might be - a camera, to provide internal views of the Dragon hatch opening.

I just can't think of anything else that it might be, other than a lens. Anyone got any other ideas? I hope it is a camera! :)

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/634899main_mm-dragon.jpg

Hi Pete, enlarged the image to see behind the clear bubble, which appears to be a cover, and behind in the middle is a circular object between two round edged rectangular shapes, the circular object has a blue chromatic reflection, and I am going to go out on a limb and say it is a lens of some sort; whether for a camera or a sensor that is up for grabs;

Gramps

Isn't the Dragon's hatch reversed compared to all of the other USOS hatches (and the ones on HTV and Cygnus) in that the latching mechanism is on the inside to protect it durring reentry? If so, I would assume thay want something more than just the position of a pointer viewd thru the window to confirm the latches are engaged before undocking.
« Last Edit: 04/01/2012 05:06 pm by JayP »

Offline Jim

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #17 on: 04/01/2012 04:56 pm »
I'll go out on a limb, a biological cargo container for mice, rats ect? I know...I know...

NASA supplies those, and they look like shuttle lockers.

Offline mr. mark

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #18 on: 04/01/2012 05:44 pm »
Sorry Jim, actually axed that comment but, yes knowing Elon Musk who knows....Last time it was cheese, who would have thought. I am now curious though about the schedule omission... we shall see. This test is becoming headline news and that bothers me a little. The expectations are just too high for a test launch. I still think that overall the mission will be successful but, any waiver from the flight plan even small will be considered a possible failure. Look at the remarks from COTS 1 about a suspect Dragon thruster. 

Offline peter-b

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION
« Reply #19 on: 04/01/2012 06:16 pm »
This test is becoming headline news and that bothers me a little. The expectations are just too high for a test launch.
Yes. It bothers me too.
Research Scientist (Sensors), Sharp Laboratories of Europe, UK

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