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

[Jim]

What is this used for? Launch, orbital operations,

Doesn't need to be on a boat for orbital ops

[butters]

SpaceX: Earlier this week SpaceX and NASA successfully completed the last joint simulation before the upcoming mission.

I'm guessing here but I'll bet that the last minute software changes that led to the slip to 5/7 were as a result of analysis of the simulation.

I haven't read any evidence of last-minute software changes. Maybe a scope expansion of the test series, or possibly only a schedule extension for the planned testing. Changing the software at this stage would be a much bigger deal, more than a one-week slip. A one-week slip would only give them enough extra time to run some more tests, not to validate a new build.

[butters]

What is this used for? Launch, orbital operations,

Doesn't need to be on a boat for orbital ops

Sounds like it could be useful for collecting thermal and structural data on first stage reentry.

[cneth]

I haven't seen this mentioned before:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=59168

Freedom and Liberty Star are now in Portsmouth, NH, waiting for the launch.   Here's a local media account (with some pics):

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20120425-NEWS-204250365

[phred]

Sounds like it could be useful for collecting thermal and structural data on first stage reentry.

It says in the article on seacoastonline.com that they'll use it to observe the ascent.  It would be cool if they could learn something about the reentry as well. 

[SpacexULA]

Sounds like it could be useful for collecting thermal and structural data on first stage reentry.

It says in the article on seacoastonline.com that they'll use it to observe the ascent.  It would be cool if they could learn something about the reentry as well. 

I don't think think those boats are going to make it to the coast of California in time.

[corrodedNut]

Sounds like it could be useful for collecting thermal and structural data on first stage reentry.

It says in the article on seacoastonline.com that they'll use it to observe the ascent.  It would be cool if they could learn something about the reentry as well. 

I don't think think those boats are going to make it to the coast of California in time.

I was thinking 1st stage "reentry", but it probably can only track one target at at time, most likely 2nd stage/Dragon, right?

[ugordan]

Is there any reason to believe they would track the 2nd stage as opposed to the 1st stage reentry?

[corrodedNut]

Is there any reason to believe they would track the 2nd stage as opposed to the 1st stage reentry?

They tried to track the 2nd stage to impact on previous flights, correct? I'm wondering if maybe they (NASA or SpaceX) don't care as much now that the recovery strategy has changed.

[ugordan]

They tried to track the 2nd stage to impact on previous flights, correct?

You mean the 1st stage? I only remember that on flight 1 the tracking radar (?) locked onto the 2nd stage by mistake.

[corrodedNut]

You mean the 1st stage? I only remember that on flight 1 the tracking radar (?) locked onto the 2nd stage by mistake.

Yes, I meant 1st stage, sorry.  Previous campaigns made use of some type of X-band radar asset (like you mention), and a thermal or infrared telescope out of Hawaii, to track Dragon reentry.

Also, on some Shuttle missions, a Navy P-3 Orion "cast glance" was used to observe reentry, as well as an airborne HYTHIRM. Would be great if these were used again for Dragon missions.  I believe MARS (correct me if I'm wrong) is a evolution of HYTHIRM, hopefully any data will be made available, if only on L2, perhaps.

[ChrisC]

SpaceX: Earlier this week SpaceX and NASA successfully completed the last joint simulation before the upcoming mission.

Boy would I love to see a high-res version of that photo, or the screens in that Mission Control Center ...

[Mapperuo]

I haven't seen this mentioned before:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=59168

As a photographer my other inner geek let out a scream, Thats a RED camera they have attached to a tracking lens in that photo. RED being a 4K camera, Now that will be a cracking video!

[mduncan36]

I haven't seen this mentioned before:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=59168

As a photographer my other inner geek let out a scream, Thats a RED camera they have attached to a tracking lens in that photo. RED being a 4K camera, Now that will be a cracking video!

Beat me to it. Yes, that should do the job very nicely. Think of the crop, captures, etc. that you could do with that. Actually that's exactly what they will do with it. Very cool.

[ChrisC]

A coworker told me today that on a recent airline flight he sat next to Walt Lindblom (the SAIC half of the NASA TV HD leadership) and he was showing him pictures of their RED setups for the last two shuttle launches.  So the video is out there ...

Oh look, now *I* am getting offtopic.  Shocking!

[Space Pete]

Former Shuttle Booster Recovery Ship to Image SpaceX Launch

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/scifli.html

[corrodedNut]

Former Shuttle Booster Recovery Ship to Image SpaceX Launch

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/scifli.html

Awesome. This is going to be the best SpaceX mission coverage yet.

Question: What capability is implied by "directed energy"?

[docmordrid]

....As a photographer my other inner geek let out a scream, Thats a RED camera they have attached to a tracking lens in that photo. RED being a 4K camera, Now that will be a cracking video!

BBC plans to demo UHDTV (8k - 4320p) at the summer Olympics this year

[Kabloona]

Former Shuttle Booster Recovery Ship to Image SpaceX Launch

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/scifli.html

Awesome. This is going to be the best SpaceX mission coverage yet.

Question: What capability is implied by "directed energy"?

Not sure what the context is, but the phrase that comes to my mind is "directed energy weapon."

[Space Pete]

Some good views of the Dragon CCP (Crew Command Panel) near the Lab RWS.

http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-30/html/iss030e250643.html

http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-30/html/iss030e250651.html