SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) PRE LAUNCH UPDATES

[Prober]

Ok, some key quotes from me (anyone else can join in on quotes and screenshots - but no random chatter! ), with Aaron providing a one page summary at conclusion.

Discovery still dominating the face time on NASA TV right now

yes, that was so sad to see just before this news.

[corrodedNut]

Is Holly Ridings the Flight Director specifically for SpaceX-D, or is she the ISS Flight Director at the time the SpaceX mission occurs?

[QuantumG]

Here's the archive of the FRR:

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21900888

starts 37 minutes in. Finishes in this one:

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21902433

[ChrisC]

ISS SpaceX/Dragon Post-Flight Readiness Review Preflight Briefing
110 minutes / 780 MB  (tomorrow I upload a small version)
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7480

Thanks John44, looking forward to the smaller version.  And thanks QuantumG for the ustream links.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

  - Launch opportunities consist of a 3 day pattern, so after May 3rd would be May 6th, 2012.

Not entirely true, there are other range users, and hence Spacex does not get to repeat indefinitely.

Good point, I've forgotten that the Atlas V now is on the range for May 5th.

Orbiter

ULA & AF have confirmed that SpaceX has May 3 as their backup, then Atlas May 5 (or 6) and then SpaceX would presumably try again the 9th.

If SpaceX slips ahead of time, or if their scrub requires more than 72 hours, Atlas could potentially move up to May 3. They are currently working towards a May 3 target just in case.

I thought all launch attempts after May 3 are out until the new ISS crew launches on May 15?

[Robotbeat]

  - Launch opportunities consist of a 3 day pattern, so after May 3rd would be May 6th, 2012.

Not entirely true, there are other range users, and hence Spacex does not get to repeat indefinitely.

Good point, I've forgotten that the Atlas V now is on the range for May 5th.

Orbiter

ULA & AF have confirmed that SpaceX has May 3 as their backup, then Atlas May 5 (or 6) and then SpaceX would presumably try again the 9th.

If SpaceX slips ahead of time, or if their scrub requires more than 72 hours, Atlas could potentially move up to May 3. They are currently working towards a May 3 target just in case.

I thought all launch attempts after May 3 are out until the new ISS crew launches on May 15?

Nope! Current plan is to have 3 crew members on ISS when Dragon launches.

[happyflower]

ISS SpaceX/Dragon Post-Flight Readiness Review Preflight Briefing
110 minutes / 780 MB  (tomorrow I upload a small version)
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7480

Thank you.

[Chris Bergin]

NASA asked us to rename the threads C2+ (as opposed to C2/C3 or D2/D3) so will rename all associated threads today.

[robertross]

NASA asked us to rename the threads C2+ (as opposed to C2/C3 or D2/D3) so will rename all associated threads today.

wow, don't see that too often.

[Space Pete]

NASA asked us to rename the threads C2+ (as opposed to C2/C3 or D2/D3) so will rename all associated threads today.

I think this "C2+" business is some clever way to make the mission sound successful even if only the C2 objectives are met (as was the original plan), since the "+" implies that any objectives beyond C2 are merely a bonus.

[rsnellenberger]

NASA asked us to rename the threads C2+ (as opposed to C2/C3 or D2/D3) so will rename all associated threads today.

I think this "C2+" business is some clever way to make the mission sound successful even if only the C2 objectives are met (as was the original plan), since the "+" implies that any objectives beyond C2 are merely a bonus.

It sounds more like someone finally noticed that the goalposts were moving...

I take this as an acknowledgement that this mission WILL BE successful if only the C2 objectives are met. 

[JBF]

I take this as an acknowledgement that this mission WILL BE successful if only the C2 objectives are met. 

That makes sense, it was one of the things Elon Musk was emphasizing.

[david1971]

I take this as an acknowledgement that this mission WILL BE successful if only the C2 objectives are met. 

That makes sense, it was one of the things Elon Musk was emphasizing.

Yeah, watching the video I got the impression that they told Elon "We are unsure if you are ready for the C3 stuff, but it is in everyone's best interests to get the rocket off the pad."

Anybody else get that vibe?

[mr. mark]

If NASA says that they are ready to carry out the mission plus the COTS 3 objectives, they are. Whether SpaceX succeeds in those requirements is another matter. Here's hoping for a  excellent flight.

[Robotbeat]

I take this as an acknowledgement that this mission WILL BE successful if only the C2 objectives are met. 

That makes sense, it was one of the things Elon Musk was emphasizing.

Yeah, watching the video I got the impression that they told Elon "We are unsure if you are ready for the C3 stuff, but it is in everyone's best interests to get the rocket off the pad."

Anybody else get that vibe?

I get the vibe that Elon already knows what's at stake and how things can easily go wrong and how quickly his enemies (and enemies of commercial crew) will jump on anything less than full success of both COTS 2 and 3.

[Chris Bergin]

I think it makes perfect sense actually. Anyway, back to pre-launch updates, was just explaining the change

[mr. mark]

Next up is Spacex's own readiness review on Sunday the 22nd along with a final NASA review on the 23rd. One step at a time......

[Jorge]

If NASA says that they are ready to carry out the mission plus the COTS 3 objectives, they are.

NASA hasn't said that *yet*, and won't say it until the GO/NO-GO poll after the successful completion of C2. What NASA says *now* is that SpaceX will be given a GO for C3 pending completion of C2.

[northanger]

noticed yesterday, in the COTS Status Report for Feb 23:

Demo C2+ Key Mission Objectives
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/627984main_4-Status%20of%20COTS_508.pdf


Godspeed Falcon & Dragon!

[Maciej Olesinski]

They have to do a lot of new stuff for the first time.
I won't be disappointed if they fail. If they success that will mean a lot.
Hopefully this will cut some 'they can't do it' attitude.
But to be honest I need to agree with Ben:
"DON'T PROPAGANDISE, FLY!!!"

ISS SpaceX/Dragon Post-Flight Readiness Review Preflight Briefing
110 minutes / 780 MB  (tomorrow I upload a small version)
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7480

Many thanks!