August 2nd updates from the International Space Station Research and Development Conference
Planned:
“Mission B” Variant: 4 segment version debuts with NG-23 in 2025
Uprated from 3750kg (3 segment "enhanced" version) to 5000kg of cargo.
Mass growth is concurrent with extra lift capability of Antares 330
Studying:
Switching to docking (presumably with IDS) vs berthing
Increasing production rate to 2 vehicles a year
Capability to do multiple reboosts per mission for the ISS and other commercial stations (note that they are also bidding for the ISS deorbit vehicle based on Cygnus)
There appears to be a lot of contention for the two IDS ports on ISS already. Would they (NASA?, NG?) add another IDSS port to ISS?
Isn't the Shooting Star module from Dream Chaser basically an IDSS-to-CBM adapter? I have to imagine they've at least considered the possibility of leaving one of those behind, rather than taking it for disposal...
I'm not very familiar with ISS ports. Is there an unused or little-used CBM somewhere?
August 2nd updates from the International Space Station Research and Development Conference
Planned:
“Mission B” Variant: 4 segment version debuts with NG-23 in 2025
Uprated from 3750kg (3 segment "enhanced" version) to 5000kg of cargo.
Mass growth is concurrent with extra lift capability of Antares 330
Studying:
Switching to docking (presumably with IDS) vs berthing
Increasing production rate to 2 vehicles a year
Capability to do multiple reboosts per mission for the ISS and other commercial stations (note that they are also bidding for the ISS deorbit vehicle based on Cygnus)
There appears to be a lot of contention for the two IDS ports on ISS already. Would they (NASA?, NG?) add another IDSS port to ISS?
Isn't the Shooting Star module from Dream Chaser basically an IDSS-to-CBM adapter? I have to imagine they've at least considered the possibility of leaving one of those behind, rather than taking it for disposal...
I'm not very familiar with ISS ports. Is there an unused or little-used CBM somewhere?
The poster is referring to Sierra Space's Dream Chaser's Shooting Cargo module (and Orbital Service Module) based off of the purpose and function of Boeing's Pressurized Mating Adapter (though designed by LM, SS, and Applied Composites and built by Applied Composites) which has a pass-through tunnel through which it comprises a 1.2m or1200mm internal pressurized diameter IDSS regulated passive mating ring, consisting of either a APAS/IDSS designed/compliant hard capture system with no soft capture system or an APAS/IDSS designed/compliant hard capture system with a soft capture system or as in this current configuration a bolt on pyrotechnically frangible mating ring, on one end that is attached to DC from spacecraft integration for flight until after the deorbit burn and on the other end of the conical module a Boeing Space Systems Passive Common Berthing Mechanism mating ring with an internal pressurized diameter of 1.8m or 1800mm. Dream Chaser has an 1.2m or1200mm internal pressurized diameter APAS/IDSS regulated active mating ring by default with the current configuration using the IDSS contingency separation system as its redundant primary and secondary jettison method which uses a pyrotechnically frangible charge to split apart and separate the mating ring.
Long winded answer.
The presently available ACBM counterpart equivalent ports are Node-1 Nadir and Node-2 Nadir for visiting vehicles.
Additional Renders of Cygnus:
Deep Space Cygnus Conceptall handwavy speculation from this point forward4x segment pressure vessel from mission B variant
4 meter service section
Uprated solar arrays from their geo sat bus line in lieu of Ultraflex solar arrays
2x BT-4 engines
External payloads are now located on the rear of the craft
Artist believes that Cygnus be the first logistics vehicle to get to Gateway, capture the flag and deliver Canadarm3
/s4 segment, Mission "B" variant