Author Topic: SpaceX COTS Demo 2 Updates (Read 448906 times)

Space Pete · « **Reply #140 on:** 04/13/2011 10:45 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 04/13/2011 03:04 pm

An interesting aricle with a sense of urgency..

"What we've been told by NASA is that if we don't reach the space station by the end of this year, there's a risk that they will have to de-man the space station next year. We've got to be sure that we get to the space station".

http://www.space.com/11373-spacex-rockets-dragon-capsule-nasa-nss27.html

Also notable from the article:

"The next test flight most likely will occur in late September or early October, Musk said."

So, this would seem to indicate that a merger of COTS-2 & 3 is likely to go ahead?

yg1968 · « **Reply #141 on:** 04/13/2011 11:20 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 04/13/2011 03:04 pm

An interesting aricle with a sense of urgency..

"What we've been told by NASA is that if we don't reach the space station by the end of this year, there's a risk that they will have to de-man the space station next year. We've got to be sure that we get to the space station".

http://www.space.com/11373-spacex-rockets-dragon-capsule-nasa-nss27.html

That quote doesn't make much sense. From what I have read, STS-135 is suppposed to bring enough supplies until the end of 2012.

Robotbeat · « **Reply #142 on:** 04/13/2011 11:53 pm »

Quote from: yg1968 on 04/13/2011 11:20 pm

Quote from: mr. mark on 04/13/2011 03:04 pm
An interesting aricle with a sense of urgency..

"What we've been told by NASA is that if we don't reach the space station by the end of this year, there's a risk that they will have to de-man the space station next year. We've got to be sure that we get to the space station".

http://www.space.com/11373-spacex-rockets-dragon-capsule-nasa-nss27.html

That quote doesn't make much sense. From what I have read, STS-135 is suppposed to bring enough supplies until the end of 2012.

Risk =! certainty.

Antares · « **Reply #143 on:** 04/13/2011 11:56 pm »

Methinks that's overdramatization by either Mr Musk or those managing his contract at NASA.

ugordan · « **Reply #144 on:** 04/19/2011 12:56 pm »

90 seconds, take #3?

http://www.kwtx.com/ourtown/headlines/SpaceX_90_Second_Test_Could_Provide__120174669.html

mr. mark · « **Reply #145 on:** 04/19/2011 02:07 pm »

It's getting near May and we should soon know whether COTS 2 and 3 will be a combined mission. By the way the mission flow is going it sure looks that way. Is it me or are they doing more Falcon test burns at McGregor than usual?

ugordan · « **Reply #146 on:** 04/19/2011 02:10 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 04/19/2011 02:07 pm

Is it me or are they doing more Falcon test burns at McGregor than usual?

Yes, as per L2.

starsilk · « **Reply #147 on:** 04/19/2011 03:06 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 04/19/2011 02:07 pm

Is it me or are they doing more Falcon test burns at McGregor than usual?

presumably some of these tests in the last few weeks are Merlin 1D, not COTS-2.

ugordan · « **Reply #148 on:** 04/19/2011 03:09 pm »

No. All those tests were 9-engine, stage tests. Merlin 1d is probably at most at qualification testing stage at this point.

Robotbeat · « **Reply #149 on:** 04/19/2011 04:17 pm »

Quote from: ugordan on 04/19/2011 03:09 pm

No. All those tests were 9-engine, stage tests. Merlin 1d is probably at most at qualification testing stage at this point.

Do we know that?

starsilk · « **Reply #150 on:** 04/19/2011 05:11 pm »

Quote from: ugordan on 04/19/2011 03:09 pm

No. All those tests were 9-engine, stage tests. Merlin 1d is probably at most at qualification testing stage at this point.

from the article:

Quote

SpaceX has performed multiple 10 and 90 second tests at the McGregor facility over the past month

why perform 'multiple 10 and 90 second tests .. over the past month' on a single stage?

and why would qualification tests not be done at McGregor? that's where they did (some of) the other qual tests..

mr. mark · « **Reply #151 on:** 04/19/2011 05:16 pm »

It may be part of the increased testing that is required to fly COTS 3. If Spacex/NASA fly a combined mission more testing must be done to meet milestones. Just a guess.

Jim · « **Reply #152 on:** 04/19/2011 06:43 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 04/19/2011 05:16 pm

It may be part of the increased testing that is required to fly COTS 3. If Spacex/NASA fly a combined mission more testing must be done to meet milestones. Just a guess.

Huh?
Falcon 9 would not require increased testing for any specific COTS mission. The critical parts of a COTS mission is ISS approach.

oldAtlas_Eguy · « **Reply #153 on:** 04/19/2011 06:47 pm »

The only reason I can think of to retest a stage is an engine changeout because of a low thrust or other problem identified by the test.

oldAtlas_Eguy · « **Reply #154 on:** 04/19/2011 06:58 pm »

Another item is as soom as stages reach Texas they would be tested irregardless of when they would be shipped on. The Texas testing is to identify if any engine swapouts or retests would be needed and there was several F9 deliveries for 2011 even if other causes may ultimatly delay launches into 2012.

ugordan · « **Reply #155 on:** 04/19/2011 08:38 pm »

Quote from: Robotbeat on 04/19/2011 04:17 pm

Quote from: ugordan on 04/19/2011 03:09 pm
No. All those tests were 9-engine, stage tests. Merlin 1d is probably at most at qualification testing stage at this point.
Do we know that?

Yes. They run single engine tests every week, if not every day and the do not put out warnings about them. They only do so for 9 engine firings due to the dB level they produce.

ugordan · « **Reply #156 on:** 04/19/2011 08:40 pm »

Quote from: starsilk on 04/19/2011 05:11 pm

why perform 'multiple 10 and 90 second tests .. over the past month' on a single stage?

The past two 90 s attempts were aborted for some reason before completion.

Quote

and why would qualification tests not be done at McGregor? that's where they did (some of) the other qual tests..

Who said they wouldn't be done at McGregor? I'm saying 1 engine produces much less noise than 9 engines do.

AnalogMan · « **Reply #157 on:** 04/20/2011 11:21 am »

Quote from: Space Pete on 04/13/2011 10:45 pm

Quote from: mr. mark on 04/13/2011 03:04 pm
An interesting aricle with a sense of urgency..

"What we've been told by NASA is that if we don't reach the space station by the end of this year, there's a risk that they will have to de-man the space station next year. We've got to be sure that we get to the space station".

http://www.space.com/11373-spacex-rockets-dragon-capsule-nasa-nss27.html

Also notable from the article:

"The next test flight most likely will occur in late September or early October, Musk said."

So, this would seem to indicate that a merger of COTS-2 & 3 is likely to go ahead?

This comment was included in yesterday's press release marking 10 years since Canadarm2 was launched to ISS:

"In late 2011 and early 2012, Canadarm2 will capture a series of 6 commercial spacecraft in just 7 months, beginning with the Dragon spacecraft, currently scheduled to arrive in October 2011."

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24807.msg726788#msg726788

Seems to be anticipating a combined Demo 2 & Demo 3 flight

Jason1701 · « **Reply #158 on:** 04/20/2011 07:56 pm »

I thought Nov/Dec was the earliest a combined flight could happen. If that's true, the statement is anticipating a non-combined test.

Nate_Trost · « **Reply #159 on:** 04/20/2011 08:20 pm »

Quote from: Jason1701 on 04/20/2011 07:56 pm

I thought Nov/Dec was the earliest a combined flight could happen. If that's true, the statement is anticipating a non-combined test.

That depends on whether you are sourcing the estimate from Elon or NASA. You are referencing the latter estimate.