Assuming that this does go ahead as a delivery mission, does anyone know how they are planning on integrating the payload? Are they going to build a clean room in the launch pad hanger and do it there or are they going to check out the vehicle now, move it somewhere else to install the payload and then return it to the pad to integrate it with the Falcon 9?
They may have already integrated it. Tang, t-shirts, and toilet paper, right?
The video shows the side of the truck "Protech Express Towing", so that answers whether SpaceX owns or leases their transport.
Quote from: JayP on 10/28/2011 04:26 pmAre they going to build a clean room in the launch pad hanger and do it there or are they going to check out the vehicle now, move it somewhere else to install the payload and then return it to the pad to integrate it with the Falcon 9?That area of the hangar is the clean room. They just have to put up more curtains. It is also the prop loading area. You can see the fueling pad, it is the area in the square.
Are they going to build a clean room in the launch pad hanger and do it there or are they going to check out the vehicle now, move it somewhere else to install the payload and then return it to the pad to integrate it with the Falcon 9?
Quote from: Jim on 10/28/2011 05:43 pmQuote from: JayP on 10/28/2011 04:26 pmAre they going to build a clean room in the launch pad hanger and do it there or are they going to check out the vehicle now, move it somewhere else to install the payload and then return it to the pad to integrate it with the Falcon 9?That area of the hangar is the clean room. They just have to put up more curtains. It is also the prop loading area. You can see the fueling pad, it is the area in the square.It seemed odd that they started removing the black "shrink-wrap" before the pod bay doors were closed. Indeed, the truck that had just rolled off the highway was still inside the "clean room" at that point!
So they're still saying it will launch this year lolThe date keeps changing so much I have no idea.
Quote from: sdsds on 10/28/2011 09:33 pmQuote from: Jim on 10/28/2011 05:43 pmQuote from: JayP on 10/28/2011 04:26 pmAre they going to build a clean room in the launch pad hanger and do it there or are they going to check out the vehicle now, move it somewhere else to install the payload and then return it to the pad to integrate it with the Falcon 9?That area of the hangar is the clean room. They just have to put up more curtains. It is also the prop loading area. You can see the fueling pad, it is the area in the square.It seemed odd that they started removing the black "shrink-wrap" before the pod bay doors were closed. Indeed, the truck that had just rolled off the highway was still inside the "clean room" at that point! they didn't get the memo?
Quote from: Prober on 10/28/2011 10:13 pmQuote from: sdsds on 10/28/2011 09:33 pmQuote from: Jim on 10/28/2011 05:43 pmQuote from: JayP on 10/28/2011 04:26 pmAre they going to build a clean room in the launch pad hanger and do it there or are they going to check out the vehicle now, move it somewhere else to install the payload and then return it to the pad to integrate it with the Falcon 9?That area of the hangar is the clean room. They just have to put up more curtains. It is also the prop loading area. You can see the fueling pad, it is the area in the square.It seemed odd that they started removing the black "shrink-wrap" before the pod bay doors were closed. Indeed, the truck that had just rolled off the highway was still inside the "clean room" at that point! they didn't get the memo?To be frank, I have no idea why an assembled (with all ports covered) Dragonwould need a clean room environment. I there might be a need when doing work on electronic, inside the capsule, motors etcBut considering what it's gonna go through on it's way up and back and still stay operational, it's hard to fathom that it can be delicate.
12 minutes of NASA footage of Dragon's arrival. This looks like it was ripped off NASA's UStream channel, don't know if there's a better quality available:
I have to wonder: where are the hardhats? And I don't think I saw everyone wearing safety boots. **sighs**
Quote from: robertross on 10/30/2011 05:08 pmI have to wonder: where are the hardhats? And I don't think I saw everyone wearing safety boots. **sighs**This seems to be a space-industry thing. You've got guys standing under the load, not wearing hard hats, and not wearing fall protection. If I did that at work, my safety officer would probably beat me to death. I don't know how these guys get away with it, and with pictures on the web no less!http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/imageviewer.cfm?mediaid=39901&mr=l&w=0&h=0&fn=2009-1820&sn=KSC-2009-1820http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/imageviewer.cfm?mediaid=52977&mr=l&w=0&h=0&fn=2011-3805&sn=KSC-2011-3805
Quote from: Lee Jay on 10/30/2011 05:46 pmQuote from: robertross on 10/30/2011 05:08 pmI have to wonder: where are the hardhats? And I don't think I saw everyone wearing safety boots. **sighs**This seems to be a space-industry thing. You've got guys standing under the load, not wearing hard hats, and not wearing fall protection. If I did that at work, my safety officer would probably beat me to death. I don't know how these guys get away with it, and with pictures on the web no less!http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/imageviewer.cfm?mediaid=39901&mr=l&w=0&h=0&fn=2009-1820&sn=KSC-2009-1820http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/imageviewer.cfm?mediaid=52977&mr=l&w=0&h=0&fn=2011-3805&sn=KSC-2011-3805Maybe they figure if somebody drops something that would hurt someone, it would also do about a billion dollars worth of damage to the shuttle. So don't drop anything!
