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

[Wyvern]

Okay that settles it, I'm going to get L2 just so I can see the advanced knowledge from the people of that section.

[manboy]

very depressing...most likely it won't be a night launch as they are bringing out all the cameras for this launch. Looks like June.

Wait what?

[Wyvern]

http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/home/spacenews/files/3f8a43db532f88e3f0ed6b8fe9876eeb-403.html

[tigerade]

"NASA space station managers would prefer to delay the flight until after the Soyuz docking because there would be no backup opportunity if the weather or a technical problem prevented takeoff May 10 and because SpaceX would not have a second chance to dock with the station if something went awry during the rendezvous. "

I am thinking that SpaceX may try to launch on the 10th but it could be scrubbed.  So the real launch is probably NET Mid-May or June

[mr. mark]

I think they need to wait until after the Soyuz docking as they need every chance to dock with the station. Looks like late May, Early June.

[Halidon]

Ah, the frustration of it all! Here I was thinking the good hotfire meant smooth sailing, forgot that Dragon's software is still the sticking point and not Falcon's engines.

Re: March 10th, forgive an orbital mechanics noob but what prevents a second docking attempt with a launch on this date? Soyuz doesn't lift until the 15th, Dragon berthing would be on the 13th.  It would take two plus days for Dragon to re-set for another approach after a waive-off?

[Chris Bergin]

Here I was thinking the good hotfire meant smooth sailing

Remember:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/05/falcon-9s-merlin-engines-for-may-7-target/

Following the firing of the engines, SpaceX engineers have been tasked with a thorough review of all data as part of the final preparations for the upcoming launch. This will result in one of the final reviews to clear the vehicle for its mission.

The most crucial item to be reviewed after the test will be inspections of the engines themselves, so as to ensure the issues of delamination are not observed.

As much as this appears to be more likely to be Dragon/ISS issues still.

[ugordan]

And night launches are spectacular so why would this be a bad thing?

If you're actually there, perhaps, but they suck big time if all you get to do is follow it on screen.

[corrodedNut]

And night launches are spectacular so why would this be a bad thing?

If you're actually there, perhaps, but they suck big time if all you get to do is follow it on screen.

Also, I was really looking forward to seeing the MARS (visable wavelength) video, even if it's not live. Perhaps the vehicle will be in sunlight at altitude for staging/seperation events, if not, thermal will have to do. Can anyone say if this will be the case, or not, yet?

[kevin-rf]

So with all the delays, does that mean they may need to combine COTS 2/3 and CRS1

Seriously, as long as it safely gets off the ground day or night, that is all that counts.

Remember Orbital has had delays with the Antares. Anyone ever notice that when you look at the list of coming year launches, by the end of the year many have always slipped into the following year. I really would like to say it is not SpaceX's fault, but really what I should say is it is not something SpaceX should be crucified over.

[psloss]

Seriously, as long as it safely gets off the ground day or night, that is all that counts.

I think I know what you mean, but launch is just the beginning of what counts to me.  Falcon gets a lot of attention, but this flight will hopefully be much more of a Dragon show.

[ugordan]

Falcon gets a lot of attention, but this flight will hopefully be much more of a Dragon show.

Hopefully.

[rcoppola]

Well, the good news is, everyday they are learning, learning, learning.

Invaluable key learnings for not only COTS but CCDev as well. Learnings that only a handful of nations have, let alone a small Space company.

Knowing this, I am more then happy to give them another month to get it right.

[Chris Bergin]

Per L2, Eastern Range received cancellation notice for the May 7 date. No new date requested at this time.

[Diagoras]

Good for me: I had an exam on the 7th. 

[Chris Bergin]

Good for me: I had an exam on the 7th. 

Sources refuse to confirm, nor deny, that's the reason for the slip!

On a serious note, SpaceX are the ones who'll release any official slip presser, though they are on the West Coast, so we need to be patient. They may also wait until they have a new date slot, we'll see.

PS I'll be AWOL from about 1pm Eastern to 5pm Eastern today, so if they do release a presser, someone post it into the thread, thanks!

[sweet-d]

hmm kinda sucks it's most likely gonna slip now again. i guess that's rocketry well "software" now i guess. I wonder what the exact problem is though?

[Mapperuo]

I wonder if the fact no new date has been booked could be seen as bad news, aka, a longer than say a week slip?

[tigerade]

hmm kinda sucks it's most likely gonna slip now again. i guess that's rocketry well "software" now i guess. I wonder what the exact problem is though?

Might not be a problem at all.  My guess is that they think the software needs more testing.  We never got the word that software testing was complete.

[Airlock]

The NASA website seems to really INSIST that May 7th is still the launch date... I agree that SpaceX is probably wanting to determine a new launch date before they announce the delay.