SpaceX COTS Demo 1 Updates

[docmordrid]

Try VLAN.  If it can't play a format under Linux odds are nothing else will.

http://www.videolan.org/index.html

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/features.php?cat=video

[Skyrocket]

Concerning the CubeSats:

I've got confirmation from LANL, that they had four (not two) Cubesats on this mission. That is consistent with they eight objects tracked besides Dragon-C1 and the second stage.

Unfortunately no names or mission descriptions have been released by now.

We are happy to note that we successfully deployed four tiny experimental "cubeSats" on the Falcon-9 launch, but we are not releasing the names or mission descriptions on these devices at this time.

[docmordrid]

Does that include the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Operational Nanosatellite Effect, aka SMDC-ONE, written up on SatNews or was it #5?

[Skyrocket]

Does that include the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Operational Nanosatellite Effect, aka SMDC-ONE, written up on SatNews or was it #5?

The payloads on this launch were:

Dragon C1
SMDC-ONE 1 (3-Unit Cubesat)
QbX 1 (3-Unit Cubesat)
QbX 2 (3-Unit Cubesat)
CAERUS-Mayflower (3-Unit Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 1" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 2" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 3" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 4" (unknown type Cubesat)

[docmordrid]

FWIW, from last falls American Geophysical Union pre-meeting synopsis where LANL gave a cubesat presentation -

>
 This presentation will highlight LANL techniques for the adaptation of instruments to a scalable form factor; aiming to reduce non-recoverable engineering costs by identifying and implementing modularity in instrument design. In addition, we have developed models for the LEO environment fluxes that can be used by instrument designers for the proper scaling of design parameters. An example of this approach to making energetic particle measurements at LEO will be presented. Also, preliminary ideas for applying the unique Cubesat paradigm of multipoint, but reduced resolution measurements to key questions of the dynamic space environment will be explored.
>

[KSC Sage]

Does that include the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Operational Nanosatellite Effect, aka SMDC-ONE, written up on SatNews or was it #5?

The payloads on this launch were:

Dragon C1
SMDC-ONE 1 (3-Unit Cubesat)
QbX 1 (3-Unit Cubesat)
QbX 2 (3-Unit Cubesat)
CAERUS-Mayflower (3-Unit Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 1" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 2" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 3" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 4" (unknown type Cubesat)

One was from Los Alamos labs.

[Antares]

LANL = Los Alamos National Labs 

Here's your sign

[markododa]

watching the press conference there is a mentioning that in order for bidirectional communication with dragon positioning of the spacecraft was needed, or is it just a bigger bandwith antena ? (having to position the spacecraft for sending commands makes no sense)

[rklaehn]

watching the press conference there is a mentioning that in order for bidirectional communication with dragon positioning of the spacecraft was needed, or is it just a bigger bandwith antena ? (having to position the spacecraft for sending commands makes no sense)

They were talking about "directional TDRSS" connections. The TDRS satellites are in GEO, so an omnidirectional antenna will not have a high data rate. But pointing an antenna at a GEO satellite from an object in LEO requires precise knowledge and control of the spacecraft attitude. So it is a major accomplishment.

[Nomadd]

watching the press conference there is a mentioning that in order for bidirectional communication with dragon positioning of the spacecraft was needed, or is it just a bigger bandwith antena ? (having to position the spacecraft for sending commands makes no sense)

They were talking about "directional TDRSS" connections. The TDRS satellites are in GEO, so an omnidirectional antenna will not have a high data rate. But pointing an antenna at a GEO satellite from an object in LEO requires precise knowledge and control of the spacecraft attitude. So it is a major accomplishment.

 I put Ku band dishes on ships that stay within 1/2 degree while pitching and rolling in heavy seas. It should be a lot easier on a smoothly moving spacecraft. I don't know much about orbital GPS, but downstairs, a three antenna system can give you pretty precise orientation data.

[Robotbeat]

Besides that, there are actually omnidirectional TDRSS antennae (if I recall correctly). I don't remember if Dragon was fitted with one in addition to the directional one. A directional one could do much more bandwidth for the same power, of course.

[SpacexULA]

Does that include the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Operational Nanosatellite Effect, aka SMDC-ONE, written up on SatNews or was it #5?

The payloads on this launch were:

Dragon C1
SMDC-ONE 1 (3-Unit Cubesat)
QbX 1 (3-Unit Cubesat)
QbX 2 (3-Unit Cubesat)
CAERUS-Mayflower (3-Unit Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 1" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 2" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 3" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 4" (unknown type Cubesat)

I had no clue that many cubesats where deployed, I wonder if this is going to be the normal amount for the COTS/CRS missions or if the number will increase/decrease.

[jcm]

Does that include the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Operational Nanosatellite Effect, aka SMDC-ONE, written up on SatNews or was it #5?

The payloads on this launch were:

Dragon C1
SMDC-ONE 1 (3-Unit Cubesat)
QbX 1 (3-Unit Cubesat)
QbX 2 (3-Unit Cubesat)
CAERUS-Mayflower (3-Unit Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 1" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 2" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 3" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 4" (unknown type Cubesat)

I had no clue that many cubesats where deployed, I wonder if this is going to be the normal amount for the COTS/CRS missions or if the number will increase/decrease.

LANL Cubesats are apparently called Perseus 000 to Perseus 003.
Space-Track has ids as follows



37245   QBX2   2010-066B   US   2010-12-08   
37246   SMDC ONE   2010-066C   US   2010-12-08   
37247   PERSEUS 003   2010-066D   US   2010-12-08   
37248   PERSEUS 001   2010-066E   US   2010-12-08   
37249   QBX1   2010-066F   US   2010-12-08   
37250   PERSEUS 002   2010-066G   US   2010-12-08   
37251   PERSEUS 000   2010-066H   US   2010-12-08   
37252   MAYFLOWER   2010-066J   US   2010-12-08

[hernick]

Does that include the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command - Operational Nanosatellite Effect, aka SMDC-ONE, written up on SatNews or was it #5?

The payloads on this launch were:

Dragon C1
SMDC-ONE 1 (3-Unit Cubesat)
QbX 1 (3-Unit Cubesat)
QbX 2 (3-Unit Cubesat)
CAERUS-Mayflower (3-Unit Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 1" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 2" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 3" (unknown type Cubesat)
"LANL-Cubesat 4" (unknown type Cubesat)

I had no clue that many cubesats where deployed, I wonder if this is going to be the normal amount for the COTS/CRS missions or if the number will increase/decrease.

LANL Cubesats are apparently called Perseus 000 to Perseus 003.
Space-Track has ids as follows



37245   QBX2   2010-066B   US   2010-12-08   
37246   SMDC ONE   2010-066C   US   2010-12-08   
37247   PERSEUS 003   2010-066D   US   2010-12-08   
37248   PERSEUS 001   2010-066E   US   2010-12-08   
37249   QBX1   2010-066F   US   2010-12-08   
37250   PERSEUS 002   2010-066G   US   2010-12-08   
37251   PERSEUS 000   2010-066H   US   2010-12-08   
37252   MAYFLOWER   2010-066J   US   2010-12-08

[edkyle99]

I had no clue that many cubesats where deployed, I wonder if this is going to be the normal amount for the COTS/CRS missions or if the number will increase/decrease.

I doubt it.  This test flight served as a "target of opportunity" for these payloads, since Dragon C1 did not have a fully equipped "trunk", the trunk remained connected to the upper stage, and the mission flew into a relatively low inclination orbit. These payloads probably replaced some of the mass that will be added to the trunk when it is equipped with solar panels, etc.  Also, the ISS partners probably don't want to see a lot of microsats deployed into an ISS inclination orbit.

 - Ed kyle

[spacetraveler]

Does anyone know when we might reasonably expect NASA to make their decision on combining COTS 2 and 3?

[go4mars]

since Dragon C1 did not have a fully equipped "trunk", the trunk remained connected to the upper stage, and the mission flew into a relatively low inclination orbit.  - Ed kyle

Did the cubes deploy right after the dragon flew the nest, or did they wait until after the next US burn?

Also, regarding a cube named "Mayflower";   Any ideas what that one was?

[ugordan]

Did the cubes deploy right after the dragon flew the nest, or did they wait until after the next US burn?

Before the restart.

[Skyrocket]

Also, regarding a cube named "Mayflower";   Any ideas what that one was?

Mayflower is a 2 units technology testbed for cubesat technologies by Novaworks of Northrop Grumman. it is integrated with the Caerus 1 unit cubesat to form a 3 unit satellite.

http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mayflower-caerus.htm

[jcm]

since Dragon C1 did not have a fully equipped "trunk", the trunk remained connected to the upper stage, and the mission flew into a relatively low inclination orbit.  - Ed kyle

Did the cubes deploy right after the dragon flew the nest, or did they wait until after the next US burn?

Also, regarding a cube named "Mayflower";   Any ideas what that one was?

Caerus/Mayflower is an experiment for Northrop Grumman
NovaWorks and the University of Southern California, a 3U cubesat made
up of the 2U (double cube) Mayflower Next Generation Technology Nanosat
from Northrop Grumman and a 1U (single cube) from USC's engineering   
schools in Los Angeles and Marina del Rey, with deployable solar panels.   

Does anyone know anything about NG NovaWorks? Are they part of NG Redondo Beach, or at a separate location? They don't seem to have a web presence.