Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) PRE LAUNCH UPDATES (PART 2) (Read 134020 times)

corrodedNut · « **Reply #161 on:** 05/18/2012 04:34 pm »

The SFN camera is up and live.

psloss · « **Reply #162 on:** 05/18/2012 04:38 pm »

Quote from: corrodedNut on 05/18/2012 04:34 pm

The SFN camera is up and live.

Their feed; the camera is located on the SE corner of the VAB roof. (SFN is "broadcasting" that from the KSC Press Site...it's possible the video is being sourced from NASA KSC PAO rather than through an OTV-type circuit. Whichever route it's taking, it's a good sign for tomorrow morning's live coverage.)

Edit -- given SFN switched between OTV 080 and the PAO feed (with the news conference slate), they're probably hooked into a local circuit, as they have been.

Chris-A · « **Reply #163 on:** 05/18/2012 04:44 pm »

Very minor little thing, the webcast page is updated for the launch.
http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #164 on:** 05/18/2012 04:58 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #165 on:** 05/18/2012 05:01 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #166 on:** 05/18/2012 05:01 pm »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #167 on:** 05/18/2012 05:04 pm »

Opens with comments about the successful relationship that has been forged.

"Regardless of what happens tomorrow I want to congratulate everyone concerned."

Tomorrow is a test flight. Was only orginally a C2 flight. Most or all of C2 objectives would result in being very pleased in the test.

Hat tips to other vehicles, including Orion and SLS. Transition reference.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #168 on:** 05/18/2012 05:11 pm »

More about the partnership. References to the challenges of the software validation success.

"This mission is extreemly complicated. The precision that is required to get everything to work together to achieve orbit and get to ISS is extreemly complex".

Pays tribute to the C1 flight. "That was making history in itself".

C2+ is far more complex. Notes the firsts (Solar Arrays, RNDZ and PROX. Hatch, CBM. LIDAR. New flight computers. Sep from Trunk. UHF CSCS).

"First flight was tough, this is even more complex."

More references to the commercial funding structure (sounds like he's talking to those lawmakers via the media

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #169 on:** 05/18/2012 05:16 pm »

Very excited about the flight. 1850 folks in California, DC and at the Cape working on this.

Have 100s of e-mails today of support. Supportive customers. Investors have been great. Thanks the USAF and the FAA. Thanks NASA - "SpaceX would not be the company they are today without their support."

Started in Aug 2006, so it's been a long time coming.

Overview:
9.5 mins to S/C Sep. 11.5 mis - solar array deploy. 2.5 hours in - open GNC door, a key new feature for PROX sensors. T+2:26 noted as specific.

T+40 hours start the flyunder - the C2 element. Talk to the Station. RGPS test. ISS command to turn on strobe lights. Re-RNDZ. Integrated ops - T+70 hours. Should be berthed T+75 hours.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #170 on:** 05/18/2012 05:18 pm »

Weather time.

First good news, summer time early day launch results in favorable conditions.

Thunderstorms have been in the afternoon. Little bit dryer today. Not thunderstorm free, but much less than recent days. One or two, but not widespread.

Partly cloudy skies tonight. Winds favorable. Out of the North, North East.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #171 on:** 05/18/2012 05:19 pm »

Only 30 percent chance of violation.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #172 on:** 05/18/2012 05:19 pm »

Next op:

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #173 on:** 05/18/2012 05:22 pm »

Question time.

Marcia Dunn on objectives.

"If successful it will be a historic flight - only four countries have done it. This is a test flight.

Halidon · « **Reply #174 on:** 05/18/2012 05:24 pm »

Not one to fly off the handle at Jay Barbee, but this line of questioning seems out of place at this time.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #175 on:** 05/18/2012 05:25 pm »

Jay B on US astros via F9.

"3 this year. twice next year under CRS (eight F9s in total). Only a couple of spots left on the manifest. Should be about 20 or so flights before Commercial Crew flight. Presuming we are one of the winners for Commercial Crew."

"The plan is to fly crew within three years. Not every flight has to be successful to achieve that."

Jason1701 · « **Reply #176 on:** 05/18/2012 05:26 pm »

Quote from: Halidon on 05/18/2012 05:24 pm

Not one to fly off the handle at Jay Barbee, but this line of questioning seems out of place at this time.

It seemed like he was digging for something, but didn't quite get it.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #177 on:** 05/18/2012 05:30 pm »

Launch window noted as one of the main challenges (instant window).

Robert on mission success.

"Per SAA. We have a number of objectives listed, from ground ops through to re-entry and recovery. The nature of this flight is if they are not all achieved they would roll into the next flight."

Ken Kramer on what the additional testing was for.

"GNC and Software - the latter being the most recent. Worked very closely with NASA on the software assurance. Started at 7am to midnight. NASA people 9am to 2am. Found no issues with the software. A couple of process areas we could work better on, but no major issues. I'm pretty sure we wore the NASA folks out."

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #178 on:** 05/18/2012 05:33 pm »

What was it like to be regulated by NASA?

"We're used to a large set of requirements that we assure are verfied and met for all of our missions. This time we had to think like a customer. Only focused on the firm requirements for the safety of the ISS. Rest of it was up to SpaceX."

"NASA's role is not relegatory. FAA does that. NASA's role is more an investor."

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #179 on:** 05/18/2012 05:37 pm »

How has to lead of Dragon if someone goes wrong.

"SpaceX commands the Dragon. ISS crew and MCC-H can call an abort. Dragon could abort itself too, as could SpaceX."

"Flight rules are predefined on redundacy reliablity and a period of go/no gos, and that's managed by MCC-H".

Bill Harwood on Crewed missions (2015). NASA say 2017.

"What we've seen about the budget this year and next year, we believe 2015 is realistic. If cut further we may strech out. We would proceed regardless, it would just take longer." (Interesting).

NASA guy notes there's a distinction between when they can fly and when they will be certified for NASA astros. Thinks 2017 is reasonable.