SpaceX COTS Demo 2/3 Updates (THREAD 2)

[mr. mark]

It's WRD is Thursday as reported at least it should be. Such is private space, need to know basis only. But is up for some form of testing today and Thursday is only a few days off.

[Rocket Guy]

I am not guessing. It is Thursday. Doing some practice today.

[Robotbeat]

I am not guessing. It is Thursday. Doing some practice today.

A practice for a practice (WDR) for a practice (COTS 2/3) for the real thing (CRS). Practice makes perfect.

[ugordan]

hobbyspace is suggesting WDR is today

It's not suggesting anything. It says the vehicle was moved to the pad to do a WDR, which is factually correct. The stack being on the pad is a prerequisite for a WDR. There's not a single mention of today, tomorrow, Thursday in that post.

There are vehicles seen moving around the pad so they sure as hell aren't loading the rocket with propellants and it's too late in the day to start thinking about it now.

[jabe]

maybe this is the start of the WDR..which is moving it to the pad
jb

[dcporter]

maybe this is the start of the WDR..which is moving it to the pad
jb

True, this is the WDR if you redefine WDR. 

[stockman]

a bit more contrast now that the light is swinging around a bit..

[mr. mark]

Nice to see it's actually on the pad ready for testing. It's starting to happen, COTS 2/3 and CRS will soon no longer be just a power point.

[Robotbeat]

Nice to see it's actually on the pad ready for testing. It's starting to happen, COTS 2/3 and CRS will soon no longer be just a power point.

It's already well beyond powerpoint. We're looking at flight hardware right now.

EDIT:There seems to be a crane doing something right now:
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/chan14large.jpg

[stockman]

looks like they are doing some work with a Crane...

[cuddihy]

With F1 that was how they lifted the strongback. I know F9 uses hydraulics, but does the crane assist? Anyone know?

[ugordan]

With F1 that was how they lifted the strongback.

No. It appears to have been hydraulic as well. They did use a cherry picker to attach the upper stage umbilicals to the fixed mast.

but does the crane assist?

No.

[corrodedNut]

With F1 that was how they lifted the strongback.

No. It appears to have been hydraulic as well. They did use a cherry picker to attach the upper stage umbilicals to the fixed mast.

Yes. Cranes (aka "meat-on-the-hook") and cherry pickers are the only way personnel can access the uppermost parts of the vehicle(s) when vertical.

[apace]

New official wording for Dragon as a "spaceship"? In earlier documents they named it always a spacecraft ;-)

[Robotbeat]

I don't think that wording comes from an official press release, much as it sounds like PR propaganda....

Meh, you can call it a spaceship if you'd like. I wouldn't call it propaganda or dishonesty. It just makes you sound like you're 8 years old.

[JayP]

A media advisory went out this afternoon about a photo op at the pad on thursday afternoon. I'm assuming that it is planned for after the WDR is completed and the vehicle safed. We should get some good shots.

I believe this is the first time they've lifted a vehicle with the redesigned strongback with the new support arms. That may have something to do with the tests going on today.

[ugordan]

I believe this is the first time they've lifted a vehicle with the redesigned strongback with the new support arms.

More like the 3rd time.

[JayP]

I believe this is the first time they've lifted a vehicle with the redesigned strongback with the new support arms.

More like the 3rd time.

What were the other dates was this vehicle was vertical at the pad?

[ugordan]

Other two WDRs, last year.

[corrodedNut]

Here's another one:

http://twitter.com/#/rob_in_space/status/174625501560832000/photo/1