ChefPat: What was the other side of the bet? Three weeks, or just ten days?
When the Falcon 9 second stage reignites, will it pass within visual range of the Dragon Capsule as it overtakes and passes the capsules position? Seems like a great opportunity for capturing video of the Dragon and Falcon 9 second stage in operation.
Quote from: SpacexULA on 12/26/2011 10:27 pmWhen the Falcon 9 second stage reignites, will it pass within visual range of the Dragon Capsule as it overtakes and passes the capsules position? Seems like a great opportunity for capturing video of the Dragon and Falcon 9 second stage in operation.I think rather the Dragon observation will be done by ISS cameras instead.
Quote from: Nate_Trost on 12/24/2011 05:14 pmQuote from: RocketScientist327 on 12/24/2011 04:13 pmAnd with all of these delays, and lets not kid ourselves, there have been a ^@#$ton of delays, the cost to the American Taxpayer for these delays... $0Actually, between SpaceX and Orbital, the cost has been over $200 million for additional "risk reduction" milestones.NASA decided that... Not SpaceX... Not Orbital...
Quote from: RocketScientist327 on 12/24/2011 04:13 pmAnd with all of these delays, and lets not kid ourselves, there have been a ^@#$ton of delays, the cost to the American Taxpayer for these delays... $0Actually, between SpaceX and Orbital, the cost has been over $200 million for additional "risk reduction" milestones.
And with all of these delays, and lets not kid ourselves, there have been a ^@#$ton of delays, the cost to the American Taxpayer for these delays... $0
Made up milestones to funnel "keep alive" cash to the players...
Getting $5M for a test that cost $50k?Whatever. It was Recovery Act money. Everything about it is sketchy. At least it went to more effective recipients than most of ARRA.
Will the Orbcom Sats be on this mission? I though I'd heard they were cancelled.
The updated plan includes launching the first OG2 prototype satellite on the first Cargo Re-supply Services (CRS) mission in mid-2012, followed closely by an additional launch of two OG2 satellites into a high inclination orbit as a secondary payload in late 2012. In early 2013, SpaceX plans to launch eight to twelve OG2 satellites, and the remainder of the constellation of 18 OG2 satellites is expected to be launched in 2014. All launches are expected to be on Falcon 9 rockets.
"We are excited to put ORBCOMM's second generation satellites into orbit as scheduled, in the most desirable inclinations with the least amount of risk." said Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX. "ORBCOMM has been a great partner and we are looking forward to launch."
If that quote was received when asking about this change, as it is purported in the article to be, then boy oh boy is that a weasel thing to say. A good journalist* would ask a followup question to request an answer as to why there is no ORBCOMMs on the upcoming Feb launch
If NASA isn't OK having them on COTS, what's different about CRS ? More time to analyze ? Changes to mission that require development ?
Quote from: ChefPat on 12/27/2011 12:09 pmWill the Orbcom Sats be on this mission? I though I'd heard they were cancelled.You heard it right.QuoteThe updated plan includes launching the first OG2 prototype satellite on the first Cargo Re-supply Services (CRS) mission in mid-2012, followed closely by an additional launch of two OG2 satellites into a high inclination orbit as a secondary payload in late 2012. In early 2013, SpaceX plans to launch eight to twelve OG2 satellites, and the remainder of the constellation of 18 OG2 satellites is expected to be launched in 2014. All launches are expected to be on Falcon 9 rockets. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111228005553/en/ORBCOMM-SpaceX-Improve-Launch-Plans-OG2-Satellites
Quote from: Antares on 12/28/2011 02:41 amGetting $5M for a test that cost $50k?Whatever. It was Recovery Act money. Everything about it is sketchy. At least it went to more effective recipients than most of ARRA. It wasn't recovery act money, the COTS augmentation funds were FY 2011 funds. In any event, you have to remember that SpaceX was only getting 10 million for COTS2 which means a shortfall of more than $120 million over their regular prices.
QuoteThe updated plan includes launching the first OG2 prototype satellite on the first Cargo Re-supply Services (CRS) mission in mid-2012, followed closely by an additional launch of two OG2 satellites into a high inclination orbit as a secondary payload in late 2012. In early 2013, SpaceX plans to launch eight to twelve OG2 satellites, and the remainder of the constellation of 18 OG2 satellites is expected to be launched in 2014. All launches are expected to be on Falcon 9 rockets.http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111228005553/en/ORBCOMM-SpaceX-Improve-Launch-Plans-OG2-Satellites
Quote from: yg1968 on 12/28/2011 02:12 pmQuote from: Antares on 12/28/2011 02:41 amGetting $5M for a test that cost $50k?Whatever. It was Recovery Act money. Everything about it is sketchy. At least it went to more effective recipients than most of ARRA. It wasn't recovery act money, the COTS augmentation funds were FY 2011 funds. In any event, you have to remember that SpaceX was only getting 10 million for COTS2 which means a shortfall of more than $120 million over their regular prices. Spacex did receive recovery moneys
Kennedy worked with Space Florida to acquire several high-pressure tanks and dewars from the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California for SpaceX and other COTS partners. Government Recovery Act funds were used to complete Launch Complex-40 upgrades. The lightning towers, power substation, facilities and conductive floor for the integration facility were upgraded or repaired to improve reliability.
The manifest shows only two CRS flights from KSC and an MDA flight from Vandenburg. Presumably "high inclination" means these will be secondaries on that Vandenburg launch rather than CRS #2.
Quote from: MP99 on 12/29/2011 11:27 amThe manifest shows only two CRS flights from KSC and an MDA flight from Vandenburg. Presumably "high inclination" means these will be secondaries on that Vandenburg launch rather than CRS #2.That makes sense, as the MDA payload is very light.
