I think the numbers we're assuming for mission cost probably aren't right either. None of them so far are really in line with what NASA alluded to: OA being "notably" cheaper, SX being the most expensive, and SNC being somewhere in the middle, but closer to SX than OA.
Lockheed Martin said that they would still be working on their proposal, but I kind of doubt that they're actually doing it. It would be a powerful capability, especially if paired with cheap launch.
CRS-2 Contract award was announced on 1/14/16- Awardees are Orbital-ATK, SpaceX, and Sierra Nevada Corporation- Contract post award briefings will be conducted in Mar/Apr- A minimum of six missions will be ordered from each provider- CRS-2 missions are planned for launch beginning in 2019- To bridge the launch gap, the current CRS contracts were extended to provide ordering through Dec 2018
Gerst: for future cislunar missions, NASA won’t provide cargo services; will look to commercial providers to do that.
Squyres: comm’l cislunar cargo sounds like a great idea. Have you given thought to requirements, etc.?Gerst: yes.
This isn't the first time that Gerst has nentionned this. But NASA is considering commercial cargo to cislunar space:QuoteGerst: for future cislunar missions, NASA won’t provide cargo services; will look to commercial providers to do that.https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/715552697873727488QuoteSquyres: comm’l cislunar cargo sounds like a great idea. Have you given thought to requirements, etc.?Gerst: yes.https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/715554907600740352
Scimemi: NASA will be a customer for comm’l LEO services in future, but bulk of our activity will be in beyond LEO activities, even research
Quote from: Gautam KhannaI had a couple of questions, I was wondering if you had an update to when you anticipate NASA will place its initial CRS-2 orders?Yes. I think there is a pretty good chance of that this quarter.Quote from: Gautam KhannaAnd how many do you think they'll actually order when they do so?It's harder to call. The assumption is one right now and additional orders next years, but we will have to wait and see.
I had a couple of questions, I was wondering if you had an update to when you anticipate NASA will place its initial CRS-2 orders?
And how many do you think they'll actually order when they do so?
This presentation was posted a couple of weeks ago:
The CRS2 contracts have been posted here:http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/contracts/index.html
Quote from: yg1968 on 12/28/2016 03:30 pmThis presentation was posted a couple of weeks ago:This presentation that yg1968 found from the ISPCS conference has info on all three of the CRS2 vehicles
This presentation was posted a couple of weeks ago:This presentation that yg1968 found from the ISPCS conference has info on all three of the CRS2 vehicles
the indication they will start to refly cargo Dragons with CRS 11. I suspect they won't be making many more cargo dragons to the original design, if they have not phased them out of the production line already.
CRS2 gives them an opportunity to prove the D2 design, but they will also fly D2 for crew missions.
The cautious approach would be to continue D1 production until D2 has flown successfully. Of course SpaceX isn't particularly known for being cautious!
Quote from: john smith 19 on 12/30/2016 09:03 amthe indication they will start to refly cargo Dragons with CRS 11. I suspect they won't be making many more cargo dragons to the original design, if they have not phased them out of the production line already. CRS2 gives them an opportunity to prove the D2 design, but they will also fly D2 for crew missions. The cautious approach would be to continue D1 production until D2 has flown successfully. Of course SpaceX isn't particularly known for being cautious!