Author Topic: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2  (Read 2965340 times)

Offline Ohsin

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #720 on: 01/08/2015 07:46 am »
It's possible that the tug changes from a long tow (better out at sea) to a shorter one (better manoeuvrability)

hmm could that explain ElsbethIII's dance near landing zone ?

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36326.msg1310244#msg1310244
« Last Edit: 01/08/2015 07:47 am by Ohsin »
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Online cartman

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #721 on: 01/08/2015 09:26 am »
Carnival Fascination is getting in port, so we should be able to see if the ASDS leaves today

Offline Arb

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #722 on: 01/08/2015 10:37 am »
Re the recently constructed stand; this extract from the Draft CCAFS SLC-13 Environmental Impact Assesment gives some (official) sense of it's size, construction and purpose:

Quote
...a steel and concrete “stand” would be built to secure the Falcon stage during post-landing operations. The stand would consist of four Individual pedestal structures which would be transported to site and bolted to a concrete base. Each of the four pedestals, would weigh approximately 15,000 lbs, and would be 107 inches tall and 96.25 inches wide. A mobile crane would lift the stage from the landing pad, and transport and place it on the stand. Activities such as allowing the landing legs to be removed or folded back to the stage (flight position) prior to placing the stage in a horizontal position would occur there.

Source: http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-141107-004.pdf, pdf page 17.

Offline Ohsin

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #723 on: 01/08/2015 10:43 am »
Here comes our spy ship. And one of the Mcallisters is doing rounds..
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Offline Bargemanos

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #724 on: 01/08/2015 11:08 am »
There we are
« Last Edit: 01/08/2015 11:14 am by Bargemanos »

Offline Ohsin

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #725 on: 01/08/2015 11:10 am »
Just as Fascination passed under Dames Point bridge, an anomaly in air gap data was observed  ;D

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ports/ports.html?id=8720376&mode=airgap

EDIT: Lot of activity on deck. Erin Mcallister is nearby!(For cruise ship probably)
EDIT2: Ooh people are checking stuff on deck! Group of three inspecting specific points on deck(grid formation) one by one.
Edit3: added video
« Last Edit: 01/08/2015 12:11 pm by Ohsin »
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Offline joshcryer

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #726 on: 01/08/2015 12:47 pm »
Is the cruise ship being used by the SpaceX people? Seems so odd that it parks right next to the drone ship so regularly. :)

Unless it's doing regular rounds or trips and they just happen to coincide. Thanks for the video Ohsin.

Offline Ohsin

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #727 on: 01/08/2015 01:06 pm »
More deck work around 'tie downs' and it is being filled ?
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Offline speedevil

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #728 on: 01/08/2015 01:17 pm »
Is the cruise ship being used by the SpaceX people? Seems so odd that it parks right next to the drone ship so regularly. :)

Unless it's doing regular rounds or trips and they just happen to coincide. Thanks for the video Ohsin.

The cruise ship is a cruise ship.
It sells inexpensive short-term cruises round the Bahamas.
You can probably get a closeish in-person look at the barge .

http://www.carnival.co.uk/BookingEngine/cruise-search/?shipCode=FS&CID=Psearch_Brand_Ship_Names_Classes0000524&gclid=CIyi-ZjHhMMCFeHHtAodORAA5g
The next available trip is a 5 day cruise to the Bahamas leaving on the 17th, for about $600.

Upcoming F9 launches are in a couple of days, the 29th, and Feb 17th.
Assuming the barge is returned to port within a couple of days, if you wanted to have a chance of seeing it, you'd probably want to be either departing or arriving on 31st Jan/1st Feb, or Feb 19/20.
I don't off-hand know if the Carnival Fascination goes faster in the river than the barge.
If so - that would be an additional opportunity to catch it.

There is a 5 days cruise departing on the 26th, and arriving back on the 31st with interior cabins for two at $350.
And one departing on Feb 14th, and arriving the 19th.

(I am not connected in any way with the above cruise-line)
,

Offline Ohsin

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #729 on: 01/08/2015 01:22 pm »
Gregg and Stacy are hovering nearby. Also truck stopped by for fueling ASDS :D
« Last Edit: 01/08/2015 01:24 pm by Ohsin »
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Offline cscott

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #730 on: 01/08/2015 01:32 pm »
Re the recently constructed stand; this extract from the Draft CCAFS SLC-13 Environmental Impact Assesment gives some (official) sense of it's size, construction and purpose:
From the same source (there's a dedicated thread), the following bit gives some insight into ASDS on-board operations:
Quote
A FireX system would be constructed with three or four remote controlled water cannons mounted on posts above ground to allow for remote firefighting capabilities. [...]

[...] Safing activities would begin upon completion of all landing activities and engine shutdown. The LOX oxidizer system would be purged, and any excess fuel would be drained into a suitable truck mounted container or tanker. Any remaining pressurants (i.e., helium or nitrogen) would be vented, and any FTS explosives would also be rendered “inert” prior to declaring the vehicle safe. [ed: then presumably the stage would be secured and the ASDS would return to shore and the following steps would take place at port:] The vehicle would then be lifted and placed on to the stand; the landing legs would then be removed or folded back into place. The vehicle would then be lowered into a horizontal position, placed on a transport vehicle and taken to a SpaceX facility.

Offline Ohsin

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #731 on: 01/08/2015 01:38 pm »
Looks like the last unidentified yellow 'box' on ASDS is also a fuel tank...so five NOV fuel tanks and two NOV generators.
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Offline Ohsin

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #732 on: 01/08/2015 02:00 pm »
They are removing that white ramp .ASDS is about to leave port ?
« Last Edit: 01/08/2015 02:02 pm by Ohsin »
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Offline robertross

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #733 on: 01/08/2015 02:04 pm »
They are removing that white ramp .ASDS is about to leave port ?

Can't have a gangway attached if it's going to leave...

So yes, that would be my guess

Offline Ohsin

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #734 on: 01/08/2015 02:06 pm »
They are removing that white ramp .ASDS is about to leave port ?

Can't have a gangway attached if it's going to leave...

So yes, that would be my guess

I was thinking may be they'll attach from other wing...it is facing other way today you see.
« Last Edit: 01/08/2015 02:07 pm by Ohsin »
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Offline Bargemanos

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #735 on: 01/08/2015 02:10 pm »
on the move!
« Last Edit: 01/08/2015 02:11 pm by Bargemanos »

Offline Brick_top

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #736 on: 01/08/2015 02:25 pm »
Isn't it a bit soon for it to leave if it is going to be used Saturday? Maybe it is going somewhere else

Offline robertross

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #737 on: 01/08/2015 02:28 pm »
on the move!

Oh, look at the ramps in the water to access the underside of the overhangs. I hadn't seen that before.

So perhaps they are spinning the barge 180 degrees to get to the underside.

Offline Ohsin

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #738 on: 01/08/2015 02:31 pm »
As it left a small boat was lowered by crane to follow it.
« Last Edit: 01/08/2015 02:40 pm by Ohsin »
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Offline speedevil

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Re: SpaceX's Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Discussion Thread 2
« Reply #739 on: 01/08/2015 02:34 pm »
From the application for a new pad at Canaveral.
http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-141107-004.pdf

'Although propellants would be burned to exhaustion during fight, there is the potential for 15 gallons of LOX, and 150 gallons of RP1 to remain in the falcon 9 after landing'.

That seems ... impressively small, and addresses some of the concerns raised about 'safing' the rocket, and potential hazards.

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