Author Topic: SpaceX COTS Demo 2 Updates (Read 448934 times)

corrodedNut · « **Reply #100 on:** 02/14/2011 07:33 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 02/14/2011 02:27 pm

"There was nothing significant I think would hold up the next flight," Lindenmoyer said. "It's just a matter of routine engineering analysis that has to be done to correct those observations."

There were a number of observations tracked during the flight that need to be resolved before the next one," said Alan Lindenmoyer, manager of NASA's commercial crew and cargo program at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. "Nothing major, but certainly things that need to be addressed before SpaceX attempts the next demonstration flight."

Nothing personal corrodedNut but, you combined parts of two different quotes to produce a different tone or response.

Please note the ellipsis. This was done for brevity, not "tone".

mr. mark · « **Reply #101 on:** 02/28/2011 03:57 pm »

2 months later and no one has heard a word about the next launch. Not sure what to believe at this point. You would think that NASA must have given Spacex a go or no go for combining COTS 2&3 by now? The longer things go the less likely it will probably be. We may even hear about CCDev 2 funding before we hear about COTS 2 since news on that is due in March.

docmordrid · « **Reply #102 on:** 02/28/2011 05:27 pm »

I would think a full go couldn't be given until the COTS-2 goals have been met during the flight. Launch with COTS-3 equipment & noncritical cargo of couse, and hope NASA has prepped for the eventuality, but assume nothing.

Chris-A · « **Reply #103 on:** 02/28/2011 05:32 pm »

Here is a guess, correct or wrong. It could depend on hardware and software development progress. If the "Demo 3" configuration is not ready for the Demo 2 launch date, would they just fly the Demo 2 configuration, or delay the next launch to finish the "Demo 3" configuration? Or, Demo 2 could be delayed.

Danderman · « **Reply #104 on:** 02/28/2011 07:21 pm »

IMHO, a separate COTS mission that delivered water, and returned trash would be very useful for ISS functionality.

spacetraveler · « **Reply #105 on:** 02/28/2011 10:48 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 02/28/2011 03:57 pm

2 months later and no one has heard a word about the next launch. Not sure what to believe at this point. You would think that NASA must have given Spacex a go or no go for combining COTS 2&3 by now?

The latest that has been reported is that they are waiting for some additional documentation from SpaceX.

More info here: http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/003/110213cots2/

One of the questions is whether Dragon had enough propellant margin to complete all the maneuvering requirements of the COTS 2 mission and still have enough to approach and berth afterward. Musk says that capability is not in question for him.

NASA also had some unnamed concerns about the first flight that they wanted to see addressed, and there is an outstanding question on whether all the training for COTS 2 and 3 can be combined into a shortened schedule.

Antares · « **Reply #106 on:** 03/01/2011 12:10 am »

Financially, they would delay the Demo if Demo 3 is not ready. 2 separate flights is a lot more expensive for SpaceX than 1, twice as much hardware spent.

Why would the schedule be necessarily shortened? If training had to be complete, there's no reason the calendar time couldn't be expended.

LegendCJS · « **Reply #107 on:** 03/01/2011 12:27 am »

Quote from: Antares on 03/01/2011 12:10 am

Financially, they would delay the Demo if Demo 3 is not ready. 2 separate flights is a lot more expensive for SpaceX than 1, twice as much hardware spent.

Why would the schedule be necessarily shortened? If training had to be complete, there's no reason the calendar time couldn't be expended.

The training is for the ISS crew as well. If they aren't trained to work the robot arm to grab the dragon or complete all the other tasks for berthing the dragon because it was supposed to be the "next" crew's job then that is a problem.

Lars_J · « **Reply #108 on:** 03/01/2011 12:35 am »

Quote from: LegendCJS on 03/01/2011 12:27 am

Quote from: Antares on 03/01/2011 12:10 am
Financially, they would delay the Demo if Demo 3 is not ready. 2 separate flights is a lot more expensive for SpaceX than 1, twice as much hardware spent.

Why would the schedule be necessarily shortened? If training had to be complete, there's no reason the calendar time couldn't be expended.

The training is for the ISS crew as well. If they aren't trained to work the robot arm to grab the dragon or complete all the other tasks for berthing the dragon because it was supposed to be the "next" crew's job then that is a problem.

ISS crew training shouldn't be as much of a problem due to schedule slips. If I recall right, the current ISS crew already has received SpaceX training. A combined COTS2+3 will simply bring the schedule more in line with what it was before.

spacetraveler · « **Reply #109 on:** 03/01/2011 12:36 am »

Quote from: LegendCJS on 03/01/2011 12:27 am

The training is for the ISS crew as well. If they aren't trained to work the robot arm to grab the dragon or complete all the other tasks for berthing the dragon because it was supposed to be the "next" crew's job then that is a problem.

Yes, that seemed to be what Lindenmoyer was referring to.

Quote

"Is it technically possible? Are the crews properly trained? It spans different increment crews on-orbit, so that's a factor," Lindenmoyer said. "We had been planning for a longer period, and now we have to see if all of that planning can be done. Those are the things we're looking at right now."

Comga · « **Reply #110 on:** 03/07/2011 03:43 am »

Does anyone know of any information on the mechanism that releases the cap on the Dragon capsule? Has SpaceX made any statements about it?

Unlike fairings that split down the middle, the cap looks like it comes off in one piece, going directly against the residual air resistance. Especially in light of last week's Minotaur fairing issue, the dumping of the Dragon nose cap is a success that was not assured.

meekGee · « **Reply #111 on:** 03/07/2011 03:58 am »

FWIW, on the video, the field of view shifts sideways noticeably when the cap is jettisoned.

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #112 on:** 03/07/2011 05:52 pm »

Quote from: Comga on 03/07/2011 03:43 am

Does anyone know of any information on the mechanism that releases the cap on the Dragon capsule? Has SpaceX made any statements about it?

It's probably held on with mechanical latches and jettisoned using an angled gas cartridge. The cartridge will be angled in such a way that a significant amount of the moment is sideways, so that it is knocked clear of the stack.

mr. mark · « **Reply #113 on:** 03/22/2011 01:57 am »

I saw this posted on twitter might be interesting.

March 3rd - "Soichi too! RT @Astro_Soichi SpaceX tweeps; Will be there tomorrow!!! // getting Dragon ready to go to the Space Station"

Soichi Noguchi - JAXA Astronaut

docmordrid · « **Reply #114 on:** 03/22/2011 02:51 am »

Sure sounds like a blended COTS-2/3 is game on if all goes well.

StuffOfInterest · « **Reply #115 on:** 03/22/2011 10:11 am »

"Go to" doesn't necessarily mean "dock with".

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #116 on:** 03/22/2011 12:05 pm »

Quote from: StuffOfInterest on 03/22/2011 10:11 am

"Go to" doesn't necessarily mean "dock with".

Assuming NASA doesn't want C2 berthed or hatches open, how far through the checklist could they take the test? As far as pre-approach parking position? To pre-grappling position? As far as grappling tests?

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #117 on:** 03/22/2011 12:57 pm »

Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 03/22/2011 12:05 pm

Quote from: StuffOfInterest on 03/22/2011 10:11 am
"Go to" doesn't necessarily mean "dock with".

Assuming NASA doesn't want C2 berthed or hatches open, how far through the checklist could they take the test? As far as pre-approach parking position? To pre-grappling position? As far as grappling tests?

Jorge can correct me, but it seems to me that just getting the spacecraft stabilized within the grappling envelope of the SSRMS is about the hardest thing on their agenda to demonstrate. If SpaceX can do that, then the actual berthing and hatch opening is easy. Either the CBM latches work or they don't; either SpaceX has shown through analysis and/or provision of ARS sampling ports that the interior volume is safe or they haven't. That stuff is not tricky.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #118 on:** 03/22/2011 04:29 pm »

Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 03/22/2011 12:05 pm

Quote from: StuffOfInterest on 03/22/2011 10:11 am
"Go to" doesn't necessarily mean "dock with".

Assuming NASA doesn't want C2 berthed or hatches open, how far through the checklist could they take the test? As far as pre-approach parking position? To pre-grappling position? As far as grappling tests?

Not from any insider information, but I would expect the C2 would probably be similar to the ATV-1 Demo Day 1, where it reached a hold point and then was commanded to abort.

Edit: Or more likely the Flight Day 3 demonstration from HTV-1

Comga · « **Reply #119 on:** 03/28/2011 01:41 am »

FWIW, today is halfway between the December 8 launch of COTS-1 and the supposed July 15 NET date for launch of COTS-2. I hope that means that the pace of news and images will be increasing.