Author Topic: SpaceX COTS Demo 2/3 Updates (THREAD 2) (Read 787848 times)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #1440 on:** 03/01/2012 05:23 pm »

I've asked SpaceX a few questions.

NASA, meanwhile, tweeted:

"SpaceX's launch readiness test today went well. The test included the full countdown procedures for the upcoming test flight in late April."

ugordan · « **Reply #1441 on:** 03/01/2012 05:26 pm »

Strongback moving back.

dcporter · « **Reply #1442 on:** 03/01/2012 05:26 pm »

Nobody's said "WDR" in a while; this was the WDR, right?

ugordan · « **Reply #1443 on:** 03/01/2012 05:28 pm »

Yes. Next up is probably a static firing a few days before launch, similar to this but engines actually ignite and abort is at T-0 s, not T-5 s.

stockman · « **Reply #1444 on:** 03/01/2012 05:51 pm »

looks like venting has almost come to a finish

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #1445 on:** 03/01/2012 06:03 pm »

It's all a bit fluffy at the moment, but SpaceX are using the word successful in their tweets:

"Performed a successful launch readiness test today for our upcoming flight with @NASA. Important step on the road to the Space Station."

So clearly it was. Job done

ugordan · « **Reply #1446 on:** 03/01/2012 06:12 pm »

NASA TV video of the terminated attempt earlier:

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #1447 on:** 03/01/2012 06:36 pm »

SpaceX responded to my queries, test a confirmed success - so pushing on with an article and will have it on later today.

mr. mark · « **Reply #1448 on:** 03/01/2012 06:40 pm »

Good news all around, I have a Roku box on my TV so I watched the NASA video via my You Tube feed. Looks great and can't wait for the article!

Rocket Science · « **Reply #1449 on:** 03/01/2012 06:50 pm »

Thanks for the coverage and posting the video. Great expectations as Dickens would say!

corrodedNut · « **Reply #1450 on:** 03/01/2012 07:00 pm »

Unlike the previous flight, it appears there isn't an umbilical going directly to the Dragon, only the combo umbilical to the trunk and then to Dragon via the "Dragon Claw". How do they get conditioned air to the pressurized section? I had assumed the "Dragon Claw" was only for power, data and liquid coolant. Can they use active cooling while on the pad?

Mapperuo · « **Reply #1451 on:** 03/01/2012 07:10 pm »

Thanks for the video, NASA snuck it into the ISS update

. Very glad they covered it.

Rhyshaelkan · « **Reply #1452 on:** 03/01/2012 07:20 pm »

Am I mistaken? The last two launches had a last second abort due to over-pressure in the engines. Any word on whether they solved that problem?

ugordan · « **Reply #1453 on:** 03/01/2012 07:23 pm »

Quote from: Rhyshaelkan on 03/01/2012 07:20 pm

Any word on whether they solved that problem?

Kind of hard to know that if you stop the countdown before igniting the engines, which is what a wet dress rehearsal does.

There will be a static firing before the launch.

dcporter · « **Reply #1454 on:** 03/01/2012 07:24 pm »

Quote from: Rhyshaelkan on 03/01/2012 07:20 pm

Am I mistaken? The last two launches had a last second abort due to over-pressure in the engines. Any word on whether they solved that problem?

I don't know but I'd guess that this test didn't get that far. Per ugordon earlier, this test cuts off before the last second; another test run closer to the actual launch would cut off at T - 0 and hopefully answer your question.

Jim · « **Reply #1455 on:** 03/01/2012 07:25 pm »

Quote from: corrodedNut on 03/01/2012 07:00 pm

Unlike the previous flight, it appears there isn't an umbilical going directly to the Dragon, only the combo umbilical to the trunk and then to Dragon via the "Dragon Claw". How do they get conditioned air to the pressurized section? I had assumed the "Dragon Claw" was only for power, data and liquid coolant. Can they use active cooling while on the pad?

Usually, capsules don't get conditioned air because it is pressurized.

corrodedNut · « **Reply #1456 on:** 03/01/2012 07:38 pm »

Quote from: Jim on 03/01/2012 07:25 pm

Quote from: corrodedNut on 03/01/2012 07:00 pm
Unlike the previous flight, it appears there isn't an umbilical going directly to the Dragon, only the combo umbilical to the trunk and then to Dragon via the "Dragon Claw". How do they get conditioned air to the pressurized section? I had assumed the "Dragon Claw" was only for power, data and liquid coolant. Can they use active cooling while on the pad?

Usually, capsules don't get conditioned air because it is pressurized.

So, I guess they did it that way last time because Dragon C1 had no active cooling capability? Due to short duration flight? Also, does coolant come from the ground side, or is the system self contained and only needs power to function?

Airlock · « **Reply #1457 on:** 03/01/2012 07:44 pm »

Quote from: ugordan on 03/01/2012 06:12 pm

NASA TV video of the terminated attempt earlier:

@ 1:40: Is it just me or did the NASA PAO say that the COTS program is "simulating" private sector growth? A typo I would hope

corrodedNut · « **Reply #1458 on:** 03/01/2012 07:50 pm »

Five new pictures of the test are up at the KSC Media Gallery:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm

mr. mark · « **Reply #1459 on:** 03/01/2012 07:56 pm »

Yes, from the NASA pictures and video, the upper trunk and spacecraft are wrapped in some form of protective material. I guess to protect from some form of possible damage. The trunk with the solar panels is starting to look like the Falcon 9 in the re-usability video.