Author Topic: SpaceX COTS Demo 2 Updates (Read 448902 times)

dragon44 · « **Reply #300 on:** 05/03/2011 10:29 pm »

Quote from: ugordan on 05/03/2011 10:18 pm

I think it's the trip from ASOC to VIF. I haven't been able to find an image of CCBs being trucked around the country. AIUI, Centaurs are flown in, are CCBs as well?

The LCROSS site (http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/launchprep.htm) shows both the first stage and Centaur arriving via Antonov-124 transports.

Comga · « **Reply #301 on:** 05/03/2011 10:37 pm »

Quote from: dragon44 on 05/03/2011 09:50 pm

Quote from: ugordan on 05/03/2011 08:51 pm
Stage arrival images have been posted in the KSC media archive:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=52350
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=52353
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=52357

...and more. Apparently arrived April 26th.

So it looks like a custom transport (vs. the older picture which looked like a generic trailer). Interesting thing to notice is that the rocket is apparently a rigid part of the trailer. In essence, it is the trailer with some wheels attached. Will also let SpaceX extend the stage without needing to design a new trailer. I wonder how the stresses of being a road-worthy trailer compare to launch. Is any other stage every put through this kind of thing?

What holds up the tail end with the taillights and the "Oversized Load" sign, as seen in the second image? I don't see any counterbalance. If it's just the two straps around the tank, every time they go over a bump there has to be an enormous amount of force from the rear strap onto the tank.

Lee Jay · « **Reply #302 on:** 05/03/2011 11:30 pm »

Quote from: Comga on 05/03/2011 10:37 pm

What holds up the tail end with the taillights and the "Oversized Load" sign, as seen in the second image? I don't see any counterbalance. If it's just the two straps around the tank, every time they go over a bump there has to be an enormous amount of force from the rear strap onto the tank.

There are rails shown (they do nothing, probably), but don't forget the tanks weighs almost nothing for its size.

mto · « **Reply #303 on:** 05/05/2011 02:07 pm »

Is this correct? From the orlandosentinel.com (link) posted by Richard Tribou on May, 4 2011 2:49 PM

On July 15, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the second Dragon spacecraft, called Dragon C2. The spacecraft wll come within six miles of the International Space Station. SpaceX is developing the Dragon to fly on resupply missions to the International Space Station.

mr. mark · « **Reply #304 on:** 05/05/2011 02:14 pm »

This may be correct or not...Spacex is still planning for a combined COTS2/3 mission this Fall. NASA has yet to make a decision although, Chris has stated that documentation looks as if the flights will be combined with a birthing at the ISS.

ChefPat · « **Reply #305 on:** 05/05/2011 02:25 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 05/05/2011 02:14 pm

the flights will be combined with a birthing at the ISS.

Maybe you mean berthing.

kevin-rf · « **Reply #306 on:** 05/05/2011 02:39 pm »

Quote from: ChefPat on 05/05/2011 02:25 pm

Quote from: mr. mark on 05/05/2011 02:14 pm
the flights will be combined with a birthing at the ISS.
Maybe you mean berthing.

Well it would answer what sex is the uber sexy ISS

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #307 on:** 05/05/2011 03:32 pm »

Quote from: mto on 05/05/2011 02:07 pm

Is this correct?

As I understand it, 7/15 is the earliest that SpaceX can launch the second COTS demonstration mission if C-2 and C-3 are not combined. So, yes, it is accurate as far as that goes. However, if the missions are combined, the launch date goes back to winter, probably mid- to late-November. They might even be able to carry out a commercial launch in the July slot, if they've got a payload ready to go.

mr. mark · « **Reply #308 on:** 05/05/2011 03:34 pm »

Oops! LOL

notherspacexfan · « **Reply #309 on:** 05/05/2011 03:53 pm »

Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 05/05/2011 03:32 pm

They might even be able to carry out a commercial launch in the July slot, if they've got a payload ready to go.

CASSIOPE (MDA on the SpaceX manifest) is sitting and waiting. But http://www.spaceflightservices.com/FlightOpp.php lists a launch to the same odd 80 degree orbit in 2013, this used to be shown in 2012, so perhaps they are waiting for the VAFB pad.

The only other commercial payloads planned in the near future are the two orbcomm launches that were to follow COTS C-2 by 9 and 18 months. It doesn't seem like those will be ready.

Looks like we will be waiting till winter to see them launch again.

ugordan · « **Reply #310 on:** 05/05/2011 04:22 pm »

Quote from: notherspacexfan on 05/05/2011 03:53 pm

CASSIOPE (MDA on the SpaceX manifest) is sitting and waiting.

Can you provide a link stating that? I looked around and could find no info on the current status of the satellite.

notherspacexfan · « **Reply #311 on:** 05/05/2011 05:11 pm »

Quote from: ugordan on 05/05/2011 04:22 pm

Quote from: notherspacexfan on 05/05/2011 03:53 pm
CASSIOPE (MDA on the SpaceX manifest) is sitting and waiting.

Can you provide a link stating that? I looked around and could find no info on the current status of the satellite.

http://epop.phys.ucalgary.ca/schedule.html

ugordan · « **Reply #312 on:** 05/05/2011 05:27 pm »

Thanks, my google-fu apparently is weak. The page states it would be launched from CCAFS. The inclination suggests this can't be a secondary payload to a Dragon flight (performance reasons) so the vehicle would need to use the 5m fairing. Current status of which remains uncertain.

If SpaceX got official permission to combine C2/C3 Real Soon Now, I see a (very slim) chance of this flight jumping in. Again, that presumes the fairing is ready and that the next vehicle flow is going along nicely. Given that station resupply is their #1 priority, it would be an embarrassing situation to use up this vehicle and then not have one ready to launch C2+3...

mr. mark · « **Reply #313 on:** 05/05/2011 09:35 pm »

New COTS 2/3 pics.

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #314 on:** 05/05/2011 09:51 pm »

Ah! I do believe I saw the solar panel fairings on the Dragon's trunk!

ugordan · « **Reply #315 on:** 05/05/2011 09:53 pm »

Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 05/05/2011 09:51 pm

Ah! I do believe I saw the solar panel fairings on the Dragon's trunk!

There's no Dragon there.

dragon44 · « **Reply #316 on:** 05/05/2011 10:05 pm »

Quote from: ugordan on 05/05/2011 09:53 pm

Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 05/05/2011 09:51 pm
Ah! I do believe I saw the solar panel fairings on the Dragon's trunk!

There's no Dragon there.

True. Only 1st stage and interstage section in pics.

Alpha Control · « **Reply #317 on:** 05/05/2011 10:10 pm »

I looked at it too. Does anyone know what the item in the red box is? Could that be a fold-out solar wing?

baldusi · « **Reply #318 on:** 05/05/2011 10:14 pm »

Quote from: Alpha Control on 05/05/2011 10:10 pm

I looked at it too. Does anyone know what the item in the red box is? Could that be a fold-out solar wing?

I think is a tube that sends back pressure to keep the tanks at a constant pressure.

ugordan · « **Reply #319 on:** 05/05/2011 10:17 pm »

Quote from: Alpha Control on 05/05/2011 10:10 pm

Does anyone know what the item in the red box is? Could that be a fold-out solar wing?

That's the 1-2 interstage, has nothing to do with Dragon or its trunk. I believe that's one of the 3 pushers responsible for stage separation.