SpaceX COTS Demo 2/3 Updates (THREAD 2)

[Jorge]

From the pdf (SpaceX Demo ISS Integration Status : Safety)

Upcoming:
• Phase III scheduled in August.
• All Phase III Hazard Reports should be approved by late Sept.
• Boeing Integrated Hazard Report approval scheduled in October.

Boeing? Anybody know what's that about?

Boeing is the ISS prime contractor and is involved in all safety reviews.

[Jorge]

Flow of money? When they complete the milestones, they get the money.

So if ISS is abandoned or destroyed, SpaceX will be uncompensated for their investment?

They have been compensated for the milestones they've completed so far. But if there are no future milestones, there will be no future money.

[corrodedNut]

I was trying to figure out if the grapple fixture was still under the hatch, or it had been relocated.

This large bracket appears to be part of the design. It seems to be mounted directly to the outside of the pressure vessel on one end, the other (triangular) end flush with or just proud of the backshell. The opening for the grapple door appears to be directly below it.

[JayP]

I was trying to figure out if the grapple fixture was still under the hatch, or it had been relocated.

This large bracket appears to be part of the design. It seems to be mounted directly to the outside of the pressure vessel on one end, the other (triangular) end flush with or just proud of the backshell. The opening for the grapple door appears to be directly below it.

Interesting. It's hard to tell from those photos, but that fixture does look like it is about he right size for mounting a grapple fixture. in the last photo, it looks like it is a fixed structure outside of the hatch opening. I wonder if they have decided to drop the deployable fixture and go with a fixed fixture under a jetisonable fairing and jetisoning the fixture itself at the EOM.

[Sotar]

" Any chance NASA could take a more direct role in the F9 and Dragon development to get a crewed version flying sooner than currently scheduled?"

Since when does getting the governement involved speed up anything?

[corrodedNut]

Interesting. It's hard to tell from those photos, but that fixture does look like it is about he right size for mounting a grapple fixture. in the last photo, it looks like it is a fixed structure outside of the hatch opening. I wonder if they have decided to drop the deployable fixture and go with a fixed fixture under a jetisonable fairing and jetisoning the fixture itself at the EOM.

I think it's either part of the hinge for the door, or part of a latch or locking mechanism that supports the door/grapple fixture in the "open" position.

The whole point of this system it to protect the grapple fixture during ascent and entry, right? Since the grapple fxture is only needed for ISS missons, and the Dragon can't be reused for ISS missions, then the only reason to have this is to save the grapple fixture for future use on subsequent Dragons?

Seems like a lot of trouble to save a grapple fixure. How much do these things cost?

[Nascent Ascent]

" Any chance NASA could take a more direct role in the F9 and Dragon development to get a crewed version flying sooner than currently scheduled?"

Since when does getting the governement involved speed up anything?

   I nearly choked on my Cheerios when I read the original post.  The only way NASA or the gubmint could speed things up for SpaceX would be for them to just give them the cash and get out of the way.

-NA

[Lobo]

Careful! On topic or I'll get the big stick out

Sorry, I went back and pulled my posts and moved them over to the general discussion thread.

I only posted here because I was wondering if the Soyuz and ISS issues were causing any re-evaluation of COTS 2/3 and future milestones, to possibly get them moved up and fasttracked.  So this seemed appropriate at the time.
guess not.  ;-)

[Lars_J]

I'm kind of surprised they didnt find it easier to attach the grapple fixture to the trunk. (in a recessed area)

[Antares]

How would this affect the flow of money?  Is there a contingency for this?

So if ISS is abandoned or destroyed, SpaceX will be uncompensated for their investment?  I'm not judging, just curious.  In fact, I prefer financial risk to be on the private sector as a general principal.  But would be a little surprised if there weren't some type of "clause" in the contract for such a scenario.

Sigh.  This is about the sixth time I've done this.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/contracts/index.html

SpaceX CRS: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/contracts/NNJ09GA04B/NNJ09GA04B.html

COTS: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/contracts/cots.html

[Antares]

Anyway SpaceX can bump up the launch of the Cots 2 to say end of Sept.?
 
If you wait for a Combo demo in Nov. it just might get cancelled out.

No, JSC Engineering, S&MA and Station Program need to complete the verification of requirements in the ICDs between Station and Dragon before it can berth.  Before that, SpaceX has to provide the evidence that the requirements are fulfilled to JSC.  That would require expedition on both sides.

[Chris Bergin]

A note to keep an eye on the launch date, per a very meaty overview by Pete Harding:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/iss-managers-flight-manifest-following-progress-failure/

[JayP]

I think it's either part of the hinge for the door, or part of a latch or locking mechanism that supports the door/grapple fixture in the "open" position.

The whole point of this system it to protect the grapple fixture during ascent and entry, right? Since the grapple fxture is only needed for ISS missons, and the Dragon can't be reused for ISS missions, then the only reason to have this is to save the grapple fixture for future use on subsequent Dragons?

Seems like a lot of trouble to save a grapple fixure. How much do these things cost?

Thats actually my point. with the grapple mounted to the door, the hinge has to take the torque of manuvering the entire vehicle around on the arm. They may have decided that designing the door for that would be prohibitive. If that was the case, they may have decided to fix the fixture in place with a cover for launch and a pneumatic / spring release to jetison the grapple before re-entry. They could still have the door on the bay to accomodate experiments or sensors.

[joek]

A note to keep an eye on the launch date, per a very meaty overview by Pete Harding:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/iss-managers-flight-manifest-following-progress-failure/

Great article!  So that's what Suffredini was hinting at when he said at the NAC eariler this month, "Two commercial providers are progressing in their development programs as expected... Expect existing schedules to move to the right."

[Lars_J]

A note to keep an eye on the launch date, per a very meaty overview by Pete Harding:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/iss-managers-flight-manifest-following-progress-failure/

Chris, your article did not mention the previously reported ISS software concerns (upgrades) that were needed before Dragon could berth. Are those no longer issues constraining the launch date?

[Andy USA]

Chris didn't write it, that's why it says "by Pete Harding". But I know L2 is expecting the next cycle of that sector of ISS presentations soon (they come in specialist batches which are produced on a cycle). The hope would be a resolution on this next cycle.

[Lurker Steve]

A note to keep an eye on the launch date, per a very meaty overview by Pete Harding:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/08/iss-managers-flight-manifest-following-progress-failure/

Chris, your article did not mention the previously reported ISS software concerns (upgrades) that were needed before Dragon could berth. Are those no longer issues constraining the launch date?

Pete's article said there were items related to the F9 and Dragon that were taking longer than expected, which might push the demo launch to Jan 2012. It did not mention any ISS issues delaying the demo.

[go4mars]

Sigh.  This is about the sixth time I've done this.

Thank you. (with my apologies)

[Lars_J]

Sorry Andy, I didn't realize someone else wrote it until later.

[Chris Bergin]

I wish I had written that. Pete's amazing with ISS content

As soon as we're updated on the software, I'll note.

Meanwhile...SpaceX PAO sent this out:

FYI – If you haven’t seen it, NASA’s latest Return on Investment Newsletter is out.

Below is the update on SpaceX’s next mission from the newsletter (dated 8/16).

Attached is the full newsletter, including CCDev milestones & timelines.  Also attached is a picture of the COTS 2 Falcon 9 rocket at the SpaceX hangar at Cape Canaveral.

NEXT SPACEX CARGO DEMO FLIGHT

After the successful launch of the first SpaceX cargo demonstration flight (C1) in December 2010, SpaceX approached NASA with a plan to accelerate its cargo transportation capability by attempting to achieve the third cargo demonstration flight (C3) mission objectives on the second demonstration (C2) flight.

C2 mission objectives include demonstrating ISS/Dragon communications and flight navigation, control, and contingency operations near ISS.

C3 mission objectives include demonstrating ISS proximity operations, berthing with the ISS, cargo transfer, and return to Earth. Operationally, the plan would be for SpaceX to successfully complete all the C2 mission objectives and then be given approval to rendezvous and berth with the ISS during the same flight.

According to Alan Lindenmoyer, Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Manager, “Combining C2 and C3 could accelerate cargo services to station by about two months.” NASA will not relax or eliminate any technical or safety requirements; rather, the combination will allow SpaceX the opportunity to meet all the C2 and C3 milestone objectives in a single flight.

At this point, NASA has not identified anything that would preclude combining the C2 and C3 mission objectives and is proceeding with mission planning. However, SpaceX wants to deploy two commercial satellites (Orbcomm) from the F9 second stage. The addition of Orbcomm's payloads to the combined mission is under review. If the risks associated with the secondary payloads are determined to be acceptable, NASA will give formal approval to the combined mission execution.

The C2 Falcon 9 launch vehicle is currently at Pad 40, Cape Canaveral, and is undergoing final preparation for the mission. The integrated Dragon spacecraft is preparing for electromagnetic compatibility and thermal vacuum testing to verify the spacecraft's compatibility with ISS environments. The Dragon spacecraft is planned to be shipped from SpaceX’s Hawthorne facility to Cape Canaveral in September.

This bi-monthly newsletter of accomplishments, progress, and happenings in NASA’s commercial spaceflight

development programs is distributed by the Commercial Spaceflight Development Division at NASA

Headquarters.