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

[ugordan]

How is that risk aversion pertinent to the discussion on how many Dragon flights there ought to be before people fly? How many do you think that same risk-averse NASA will choose for Orion?

That's a moot point to make. Risk can be managed even in a risk-averse environment. In this particular case, I'd go so far to say that SpaceX has more to lose with a LOC event than NASA so they will most certainly not take the issue lightly.

[clongton]

Btw, I feel like the trunk should have been called the "tail" instead - just to keep things thematically consistent (which is oh-so-important, you know  )

It could be worse...they could have called it "Draggin' Azz"

Oh that is *SO* good lol!!! 

[manboy]

NASA is really dropping the ball on posting these pictures.

[robertross]

NASA is really dropping the ball on posting these pictures.

Loooonnnngggg  weeekeeenddd

We'll see them, though probably on Tuesday

[Jim]

NASA is really dropping the ball on posting these pictures.

There is no need for any expediency.

[tigerade]

NASA is really dropping the ball on posting these pictures.

Loooonnnngggg  weeekeeenddd

We'll see them, though probably on Tuesday

Yep.  It's Memorial Day weekend here in the States.  Let's give em a break for now, we'll see pictures soon enough.

[Jorge]

NASA is really dropping the ball on posting these pictures.

You really haven't experienced a mission that straddled a holiday weekend before, have you?

[corrodedNut]

I was wondering where the radiators went. Some have suggested that they must be inside the trunk, and I was hoping to find out.

Aren't they on the outer surface of the trunk?

That's what I understood, the radiators were literally built into the trunk, as with the Apollo SM.

That's what I thought too, and is what all previous conceptual renderings show. A tube is clearly visible snaking its way down the trunk and back, similar to Apollo's SM. These features are not visible in photos of the actual trunk, not to me at least. The trunk is made of alumininum now, even small details such as rivets are clearly discernible. But there is no evidence of any tubes and such. They could be just on the inside of the the trunk's outer skin, but the trunk appears to be constructed in a similar manner to Falcon's first and second stage fuel tanks, so I was curious how the coolant loops negotiate the longerons and stringers on the inside, if indeed that's where they are.

[darkenfast]

Discussion on the Docked Updates thread says that there's probs with how the bags are packed. Who would have loaded the bags on the ground?

Edit to add: how was it decided where each bag went in Dragon, SpaceX, NASA or joint planning?

Obviously the kind of thing that will be ironed out before CRS flights!

[peter-b]

Discussion on the Docked Updates thread says that there's probs with how the bags are packed. Who would have loaded the bags on the ground?

The problem is not with the packing that was carried out on the ground -- the problem is packing the trash and other downmass back into the vehicle. AIUI ISS ops would have planned this, based on Dragon's COM requirements/restrictions.

[darkenfast]

Thanks, Peter (I don't have sound on my computer ATT, so I rely on forum comments)!  Next question: why pack trash in before unloading the cargo (or are they just planning ahead)?

[manboy]

NASA is really dropping the ball on posting these pictures.

There is no need for any expediency.

I disagree because by the time they are posted there will be very few news agencies still covering the story. And I'm just getting kind of annoyed because I bet the crew has already downlinked them and someone just couldn't be bothered to upload them to the web.

[Space Pete]

Thanks, Peter (I don't have sound on my computer ATT, so I rely on forum comments)!  Next question: why pack trash in before unloading the cargo (or are they just planning ahead)?

It is standard ISS cargo ops to load trash into a particular location as soon as you have taken new cargo out of it - prevents there being a big cluster of cargo bags on ISS, with the crew getting confused as to what it good, what is trash, etc.

[baldusi]

Thanks, Peter (I don't have sound on my computer ATT, so I rely on forum comments)!  Next question: why pack trash in before unloading the cargo (or are they just planning ahead)?

It is standard ISS cargo ops to load trash into a particular location as soon as you have taken new cargo out of it - prevents there being a big cluster of cargo bags on ISS, with the crew getting confused as to what it good, what is trash, etc.

Does it has anything to do to keep the center of gravity requirements on the vehicle most of the time, too?

[Space Pete]

Does it has anything to do to keep the center of gravity requirements on the vehicle most of the time, too?

Yes, that's true - protect CG in event of a contingency departure.

[clongton]

I'm just getting kind of annoyed because I bet the crew has already downlinked them and someone just couldn't be bothered to upload them to the web.

The folks who would normally do the uploading are home with their families for the holiday. Isn't that where you are? Don't you think they are allowed that as well?

To say you're getting impatient to see them is understandable but to say you are getting annoyed is disingenuous as if someone is withholding something from you. Be patient. They will be back to work tomorrow.

[peter-b]

I think the ISS crew SOP for packing CTBs is going to have to be changed to not over-stuff them, especially if they're scheduled to be returned on a Dragon. They seem to be having massive issues with this packing, adjusting/repacking many of the CTBs scheduled for stowage on this flight.

[clongton]

I think the ISS crew SOP for packing CTBs is going to have to be changed to not over-stuff them, especially if they're scheduled to be returned on a Dragon. They seem to be having massive issues with this packing, adjusting/repacking many of the CTBs scheduled for stowage on this flight.

Being used to packing a Progress for atmospheric disposal isn't the same as packing for surface recovery. Shuttle was considerably larger so it doesn't surprise me they are having difficulty this first time around.

[Jim]

I disagree because by the time they are posted there will be very few news agencies still covering the story. And I'm just getting kind of annoyed because I bet the crew has already downlinked them and someone just couldn't be bothered to upload them to the web.

It doesn't matter if you disagree, you are in the wrong.
So what?  That doesn't matter about the news agencies.  It is a holiday weekend and for that matter, they don't even need to be posted until after the mission because there is no urgency.

[Jim]

Discussion on the Docked Updates thread says that there's probs with how the bags are packed. Who would have loaded the bags on the ground?

Edit to add: how was it decided where each bag went in Dragon, SpaceX, NASA or joint planning?

NASA and its contractors pack the bags and it is up to Spacex to determine where to load them in the Dragon, for Spacex to perform the actual loading.  Spacex just has to inform NASA where they are located. The unloading procedure is a joint task