SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) GENERAL DISCUSSION

[oiorionsbelt]

Oh perfect, thanks again.
I didn't realize the engine with thrust chamber is bigger/longer than the tankage.

[corrodedNut]

The Launch Commit Criteria are given here:

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/649911main_050912_falcon9_weather_criteria.pdf

Nit: the weather subset of that (weather commit criteria).

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28764.msg892087#msg892087

Could you or someone else explain what "proton flux" means? Does it pertain to solar/space weather?

[Jim]

The Launch Commit Criteria are given here:

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/649911main_050912_falcon9_weather_criteria.pdf

Nit: the weather subset of that (weather commit criteria).

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28764.msg892087#msg892087

Could you or someone else explain what "proton flux" means? Does it pertain to solar/space weather?

yes

[corrodedNut]

Sorry if this rather basic question has been asked and answered already, but I couldn't find it.

Is this the first attempt of any US spacecraft, to make an automatic or robotic rendevouz/dock/berth with a manned platform in space? If successful, will it be the first?

[Jim]

Sorry if this rather basic question has been asked and answered already, but I couldn't find it.

Is this the first attempt of any US spacecraft, to make an automatic or robotic rendevouz/dock/berth with a manned platform in space? If successful, will it be the first?

There were no unmanned shuttles and  Skylab was never manned with Apollo approaching it.  CSM and LM used man in the loop.  Agena wasn't manned.

So there is your answer.

Also, as for automatic or robotic rendevouz/dock/berth with a any platform in space, it is less than 5 times.

[mmeijeri]

Also, as for automatic or robotic rendevouz/dock/berth with a any platform in space, it is less than 5 times.

Do you think there may have been secret robotic inspection flights of Russian satellites?

[cosmicvoid]

Found this item tucked away on Yahoo news:
http://news.yahoo.com/spacex-launching-student-experiments-emblems-1st-space-station-220555112.html

Haven't seen anyone else post this.

Looks like it is duplicated here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47453877/ns/technology_and_science-space/

[corrodedNut]

Sorry if this rather basic question has been asked and answered already, but I couldn't find it.

Is this the first attempt of any US spacecraft, to make an automatic or robotic rendevouz/dock/berth with a manned platform in space? If successful, will it be the first?

There were no unmanned shuttles and  Skylab was never manned with Apollo approaching it.  CSM and LM used man in the loop.  Agena wasn't manned.

So there is your answer.

Also, as for automatic or robotic rendevouz/dock/berth with a any platform in space, it is less than 5 times.

So is this list right? Also chronologically?

1-USSR/Russia > Mir/ISS(perhaps Salyut as well?) with Progress
2-ESA > ISS with ATV
3-Japan > ISS with HTV

And now the big "if"

4-USA > ISS with SpaceX/Dragon

[krytek]

Pardon me,
Soyuz doesn't dock autonomously?

[kevin-rf]

Also, as for automatic or robotic rendevouz/dock/berth with a any platform in space, it is less than 5 times.

Do you think there may have been secret robotic inspection flights of Russian satellites?

Google: Prowler

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=23904.0

Now lets get back to SpaceX

[corrodedNut]

Pardon me,
Soyuz doesn't dock autonomously?

Yes, but it's manned.

[RocketEconomist327]

Sorry if this rather basic question has been asked and answered already, but I couldn't find it.

Is this the first attempt of any US spacecraft, to make an automatic or robotic rendevouz/dock/berth with a manned platform in space? If successful, will it be the first?

There were no unmanned shuttles and  Skylab was never manned with Apollo approaching it.  CSM and LM used man in the loop.  Agena wasn't manned.

So there is your answer.

Also, as for automatic or robotic rendevouz/dock/berth with a any platform in space, it is less than 5 times.

So is this list right? Also chronologically?

1-USSR/Russia > Mir/ISS(perhaps Salyut as well?) with Progress
2-ESA > ISS with ATV
3-Japan > ISS with HTV

And now the big "if"

4-USA > ISS with SpaceX/Dragon

Sorry for OT - but you forgot the biggie:

http://teapartyinspace.org/?q=content/china-shenzou-viii-successfully-docks

China is planning on this for future missions.

VR
RE327

[corrodedNut]

Sorry for OT - but you forgot the biggie:

http://teapartyinspace.org/?q=content/china-shenzou-viii-successfully-docks

China is planning on this for future missions.

VR
RE327

Yeah but neither spacecraft were manned for that mission. In the future, Shenzhou will be.

I guess I'm splitting hairs here. My point is that an automatic/robotic vehicle, with no humans on board to take over if needed, but still trying to rendevouz/dock/berth with another manned (thus the inherent risk to crew) vehicle, has never been attempted by the US until now, and only achevied by 3 other national space agencies before.

[zerm]

Gettin' on the plane to go and cover the COTS 2/3 launch for Aero-News... Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work I go. Hope to see some of you there. If they launch- this first ever night launch of a Falcon 9, could be fairly spectacular.

[Multivac]

I noticed that based in the time of launch, the orbital plane of the ISS, and the time it would take Dragon circle half of the earth, it may be visible from Perth, Western Australia toward south at approximately 17:50 local Perth time give or take 10 minutes.

The sun should be approximately 4 degrees below the horizon relative to Perth as Dragon passes over. Only slight problem may be that the maximum elevation of the pass will probably be less than 13 degrees. Regardless I will be keeping an eye out.

[corrodedNut]

Looks like SpaceX has put in some new tracking assets at LC-40:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.131474330255308.25052.123621931040548&type=3#/photo.php?fbid=334880546581351&set=a.131474330255308.25052.123621931040548&type=3&theater

Anyone care to elaborate?

[Comga]

Gwen Shotwell just mentioned Dragon's strobe lights.
Where on the capsule or trunk are these lights? 
Have they been included in published illustrations?

[corrodedNut]

Gwen Shotwell just mentioned Dragon's strobe lights.
Where on the capsule or trunk are these lights? 
Have they been included in published illustrations?

Trunk

[oiorionsbelt]

I'm afraid I need one of your handy little arrows to find them corrodedNut

[jabe]

I'm afraid I need one of your handy little arrows to find them corrodedNut

they little red and blue lights point to where the strobes are... just below dragon
jb