SpaceX COTS Demo 2 Updates

[Jim]

Its nice when you get the SpaceX email. So many pictures and nice confirmation that they really are far along. With wet dress rehearsal done it seems like they could launch sooner than 15 weeks if not for the red tape.

1.  It isn't red tape, it is necessary analysis
2.  the Dragon isn't ready

Is it typical to perform the WDR without the payload on top of the rocket ? I thought the WDR performed all of the steps necessary to launch just shy of actually launching.

Shouldn't they perform this test again once the stack is completely assembled, or is it OK to check off the WDR 3 months before the actual launch date ?

WDR is for the launch vehicle and not the spacecraft.  There is no need to repeat it, since the configuration doesn't change.

There are LV/SC compatiablity tests that occur after mate.  There is no need to load LV propellants

[Jim]

A reminder they have NOT yet combined the two flights:

http://www.newspacejournal.com/2011/08/17/jumping-the-gun/

Absolutely

Can anyone explain this quote from Chris' article:

“SpaceX/Dragon: Phase 3 part 1 safety review tentatively scheduled for end of September 2011. Starting to see easy phase 3 level hazard reports,” added the MOD ISS Presentation. “Some phase 2 level work pushed off to phase 3 (not unusual). Estimate phase 3 complete 2/2012.”

Does that "phase 3" completion relate to the COTS-2 flight, secondary payloads on COTS-2, the CRS flight, or what?

The safety process is broken up into 3 phases that are schedule driven according to launch date.

[cuddihy]

A reminder they have NOT yet combined the two flights:

http://www.newspacejournal.com/2011/08/17/jumping-the-gun/

Absolutely

Can anyone explain this quote from Chris' article:

“SpaceX/Dragon: Phase 3 part 1 safety review tentatively scheduled for end of September 2011. Starting to see easy phase 3 level hazard reports,” added the MOD ISS Presentation. “Some phase 2 level work pushed off to phase 3 (not unusual). Estimate phase 3 complete 2/2012.”

Does that "phase 3" completion relate to the COTS-2 flight, secondary payloads on COTS-2, the CRS flight, or what?

The safety process is broken up into 3 phases that are schedule driven according to launch date.

So that sounds like the "real" launch date is around next feb, no matter what Musk says about Nov 30th.

Is that accurate? I see some suggesting that the "phase 3" refers to CRS-1, but that doesn't make sense, as each mission has the same 3 phases, correct?

I find it hard to read this as any other way than SpaceX / NASA internally planning a Feb 2012 launch for COTS 2/3 but Musk promoting a "NET Nov 30th" date.

(Yes, Feb 2012 is no earlier than Nov 30th 2011, but, come on!)

[2552]

With safety reviews a standard for NASA, the procedures are already being lined up through their respective phases, with phase 3 expected to be completed early next year – likely relating to a green light for the opening CRS flight for the Dragon in 2012.

Click here for recent SpaceX News Articles: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/

“SpaceX/Dragon: Phase 3 part 1 safety review tentatively scheduled for end of September 2011. Starting to see easy phase 3 level hazard reports,” added the MOD ISS Presentation. “Some phase 2 level work pushed off to phase 3 (not unusual). Estimate phase 3 complete 2/2012.”

[Prober]

A reminder they have NOT yet combined the two flights:

http://www.newspacejournal.com/2011/08/17/jumping-the-gun/

Absolutely

Can anyone explain this quote from Chris' article:

“SpaceX/Dragon: Phase 3 part 1 safety review tentatively scheduled for end of September 2011. Starting to see easy phase 3 level hazard reports,” added the MOD ISS Presentation. “Some phase 2 level work pushed off to phase 3 (not unusual). Estimate phase 3 complete 2/2012.”

Does that "phase 3" completion relate to the COTS-2 flight, secondary payloads on COTS-2, the CRS flight, or what?

The safety process is broken up into 3 phases that are schedule driven according to launch date.

Shouldn't they be adding fuel margin if two sets of COTS 2 & 3 demos are combined?

[Lars_J]

Shouldn't they be adding fuel margin if two sets of COTS 2 & 3 demos are combined?

Who says Dragon doesn't have adequate propellant margin for a combined COTS2+3 mission?

[Comga]

With safety reviews a standard for NASA, the procedures are already being lined up through their respective phases, with phase 3 expected to be completed early next year – likely relating to a green light for the opening CRS flight for the Dragon in 2012.

Click here for recent SpaceX News Articles: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/

“SpaceX/Dragon: Phase 3 part 1 safety review tentatively scheduled for end of September 2011. Starting to see easy phase 3 level hazard reports,” added the MOD ISS Presentation. “Some phase 2 level work pushed off to phase 3 (not unusual). Estimate phase 3 complete 2/2012.”

Yes, but why is it "likely" that Phase 3 of the IHA is associated with CRS-1 and not COTS-2/3?

Isn't the main hold-up the Orbcomm satellites on COTS-2/3?

And what is an "easy phase 3 level hazard report" anyway?

[Jorge]

With safety reviews a standard for NASA, the procedures are already being lined up through their respective phases, with phase 3 expected to be completed early next year – likely relating to a green light for the opening CRS flight for the Dragon in 2012.

Click here for recent SpaceX News Articles: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/

“SpaceX/Dragon: Phase 3 part 1 safety review tentatively scheduled for end of September 2011. Starting to see easy phase 3 level hazard reports,” added the MOD ISS Presentation. “Some phase 2 level work pushed off to phase 3 (not unusual). Estimate phase 3 complete 2/2012.”

Yes, but why is it "likely" that Phase 3 of the IHA is associated with CRS-1 and not COTS-2/3?

Isn't the main hold-up the Orbcomm satellites on COTS-2/3?

And what is an "easy phase 3 level hazard report" anyway?

Most likely a misspelling of "early".

[mr. mark]

Another COTS 2 Dragon pic...

[Chris Bergin]

Includes a lot on SpaceX C2/C3 via the ISS software issues for Dragon's arrival.

ISS Managers Conduct Expedition 29 FRR, Prepare Station for Post-Shuttle Ops:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/iss-managers-expedition-29-frr-prepare-station-post-shuttle-operations/

Superb article by Pete Harding via ISS presentations and Increment 29, Soyuz 26/28 FRR Presentations (August 17) available on L2.

[corrodedNut]

On the trunk:

EDIT: Higher res

[ChefPat]

On the trunk:

Where is this at?

[apace]

On the trunk:

Where is this at?

Go to the SpaceX twitter account to get all the informations for it ;-)
http://twitpic.com/68g8qt

Looks like SpaceX PR is running before November flight ;-)

... I WANT TO SEE THE CCDEV2 PROGRESS :-)

[Ben the Space Brit]

On the trunk:

Where is this at?

I presume that's Hawthorne.  The top picture shows the factory before SpaceX started working there and the bottom picture shows Dragon-C2 on top of its trunk.  The bottom picture also nicely helps you scale Dragon compared to the technicians clustered around it.

[Lars_J]

Neat! And an interesting before/after look at the facility.

[corrodedNut]

I can't seem to get a higher res version of this image, would anyone see if they can and re-post it?

http://twitpic.com/68g8qt

PS Yesterday I was able to mouse over the top these various images and select "view larger size", but can't seem to do it now

[apace]

Here we can see the attachment points for the solar arrays on the drunk... nice photos...

[Space Pete]

I can't seem to get a higher res version of this image, would anyone see if they can and re-post it?

http://twitpic.com/68g8qt

PS Yesterday I was able to mouse over the top these various images and select "view larger size", but can't seem to do it now

Twitpic tip: Just add "/full" to the link for hi-res.

http://twitpic.com/68g8qt/full

[corrodedNut]

I can't seem to get a higher res version of this image, would anyone see if they can and re-post it?

http://twitpic.com/68g8qt

PS Yesterday I was able to mouse over the top these various images and select "view larger size", but can't seem to do it now

Twitpic tip: Just add "/full" to the link for hi-res.

http://twitpic.com/68g8qt/full

Thanks!!

[corrodedNut]

Here we can see the attachment points for the solar arrays on the drunk... nice photos...

I think those are the attach points for the solar array "pontoon" covers, specifically. On the left side is the power and coolant loop capsule-to-trunk umbilical. Below that is a new, or modified GSE side-to-vehicle umbilical attach point on the trunk. And perhaps, colored navigation lights?