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

[FinalFrontier]

Ahhh that accounts for the delay, NASA wanted more system level tests.

This seems to be the case. They did mention they want a few more sims anyway (even now) but I think this is all really positive. Seems like they will make their timeline.

[manboy]

Elon's personality is remarkably different.

[FinalFrontier]

Elon speaking now. Mentions that both the vehicle and spacecraft are still new, mission is pretty tricky.

[Chris Bergin]

Elon time:

Notes appreciation to NASA for their help and the American public who are funding this.

I think we've got a pretty good shot, but there's a lot that can go wrong.

We've launched the rocket twice before, the spacecraft once, but they are new. Rendezvous will be a first. There's no ISS on the ground, so it's important to appreciate it's really tricky.

People may not realize ISS is zooming around the planet at 17,500mph, so it's hard. I think we've got a very good chance, but this is test flight, so we have a couple more missions to succeed.

[StephenB]

Did I get this right? Musk: if we don't succeed on birthing on this mission, we have another couple of missions to accomplish it this year.

[Chris Bergin]

Notes the upcoming hot fire to come.

Some B-Roll type videos on preps and COTS overview. I'm missing Mike Moses right now!

[FinalFrontier]

Holly now discussing the effort involved (in the past several years) leading to this launch. Discussing individual interactions between all the teams in each facility.

Really puts the whole thing into perspective, just how far this effort has come.

[Chris Bergin]

Ms Ridings noting a lot of work has been going on with the integration between the ISS and this new spacecraft.

Two dynamic vehicles, very important they communicate. ISS' role is mainly the safety of the crew. SpaceX for the spacecraft.

Two crewmembers available for Dragon ops. A lot of time working with them, to ensure they understand what is expected of them.

Short mission overview.

[STS Tony]

Did I get this right? Musk: if we don't succeed on birthing on this mission, we have another couple of missions to accomplish it this year.

Read Chris' notes. Short answer, Yes.

Mr Gerstenmaier notes this wasn't like a shuttle FRR. Was for the ISS.

Which means they didn't go launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware like a shuttle FRR.  It is mostly the onorbit stuff.  Launch topics would only be schedule, range, and recycle, but not nitty-gritty details.

So true Jim. I find it surprising seen as NASA's paying for it.

[Robotbeat]

Suff notes there's still some non standard work relating to hardware testing in the loop for software and hardware.

Left it to SpaceX to define their mission parameters (mission success).

521 kg of cargo flying up.

660kg downmass for refurbishing (that's a big deal).
...

Wow, 660kg... Must be nice to get the downmass capability back, huh? That's more than I expected.

[Chris Bergin]

[corrodedNut]

Will they integrate this final flight sim into the static fire, like they did with the WDRs? Or is that too late?

[Kabloona]

NASA Twitter reporting it's a go for April 30.

[ugordan]

Will they integrate this final flight sim into the static fire, like they did with the WDRs? Or is that too late?

I'm thinking it's the latter.

[Chris Bergin]

NASA Twitter reporting it's a go for April 30.

Please read the thread. Mr Gerstenmaier's comments are more important than what they post on twitter.

#Context!

[Jim]

So true Jim. I find it surprising seen as NASA's paying for it.

NASA isn't paying for the hardware, just the service.  The FRR covers the NASA/Spacex interaction, which only occurs onorbit.

[Chris Bergin]

The first flyunder is very important, as it's the first command from the ISS, per:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/04/iss-robotic-arm-preparation-greet-spacexs-dragon/

[Jim]

Will they integrate this final flight sim into the static fire, like they did with the WDRs? Or is that too late?

Usually not, since the flight sim doesn't want to be subject to the real world issues and delay that might arise during the static fire.

[Chris Bergin]

Integrated operations:

[manboy]

More slides