OMG it's the SpaceX Party Thread!

[sanman]

So they're using regular consumer-level laptops in the ISS then? And this equipment doesn't have any problems with being in space? (ie. radiation, etc)

If (or when) they fry, they replace them. Apparently it's cheaper.

Yep.

These laptops do have modifications from the normal consumer-grade equipment. They have locking power connectors, and coated circuit boards to prevent arcing.

The "real" ISS control computers, the MDMs, are rad-hardened.

So those laptops weren't just bought from the store? They had to be modified afterward?

Why would there be a problem with arcing on the ISS? Are there static-charge-buildup/grounding issues on ISS?

[majormajor42]

That offset is interesting. They looked to me to be in trail and that would seem to make sense and be necessary for a docking tomorrow.

Anyone know, based on what time that picture was taken, how far apart the ISS and Dragon were at that moment? It would be interesting to know what 40 kilometers, or whatever it was, looks like in LEO from here.

[Chris-A]

It seems we're having better luck with Dragon visuals then the ISS crew upstairs.

The photo was taken around 5:02 am from the Detroit area.

[d3jf]

Tally ho on Dragon! WOOHOO

[majormajor42]

Thar She Blows!

[Jorge]

So they're using regular consumer-level laptops in the ISS then? And this equipment doesn't have any problems with being in space? (ie. radiation, etc)

If (or when) they fry, they replace them. Apparently it's cheaper.

Yep.

These laptops do have modifications from the normal consumer-grade equipment. They have locking power connectors, and coated circuit boards to prevent arcing.

The "real" ISS control computers, the MDMs, are rad-hardened.

So those laptops weren't just bought from the store? They had to be modified afterward?

Not sure whether the mods were a custom order or whether they were modified afterward.

Why would there be a problem with arcing on the ISS? Are there static-charge-buildup/grounding issues on ISS?

There are issues with floating FOD.

[Rex Chan]

Somebody at SpaceX is munching on potato chips.

A lot more getting up and pacing being done by the NASA people.

What's the blue ring on one of the monitor windows for the guy sitting at the back? Is that a Quicktime logo, or some kind picture of the Earth?

Do you mean this?

[sanman]

But if the air in ISS is clean and filtered, I can't imagine that it would pose a foreign object debris problem for electronics.

[Jorge]

Somebody at SpaceX is munching on potato chips.

A lot more getting up and pacing being done by the NASA people.

What's the blue ring on one of the monitor windows for the guy sitting at the back? Is that a Quicktime logo, or some kind picture of the Earth?

Do you mean this?

Ah. Those are Ku antenna blockage patterns. And that is actually the second row from the back. There's another row of consoles out of the field of view of the camera.

[d3jf]

But if the air in ISS is clean and filtered, I can't imagine that it would pose a foreign object debris problem for electronics.

Debris can get into the laptop before getting into a filter.

[sanman]

I must say that while the ISS looks nice from the outside in daylight, the nighttime darkened view of its exterior looks horrible, like endless darkness - I'm thinking 'Das Boot'.

[gospacex]

Why would there be a problem with arcing on the ISS? Are there static-charge-buildup/grounding issues on ISS?

There are issues with floating FOD.

It's not like laptops down here don't have to deal with the same danger every day.

I imagine off-the shelf laptops would work on ISS. At least as long as you don't take them to EVAs

Additional hardening may only marginally robustify them, but it does make sense considering how much does it cost to lift every kilogram up there.

[Ben the Space Brit]

It's just been confirmed that the ISS is receiving Dragon's transmissions clear enough for spacecraft data to be displayed on the ISS.  I have to say that this is a big relief for me; one of the big questions, IMHO, was whether Dragon and ISS, two classes of spacecraft that have never met outside of sims, would be able to work together.

Another achievement in the bag!

[HarryM]

I just saw ISS and Dragon pass over, visible in the NNE, a very bright star trailed by a very faint star. I had found out about the pass and woke up from a dead sleep 5 minutes prior, woo hoo!

[sanman]

Why would there be a problem with arcing on the ISS? Are there static-charge-buildup/grounding issues on ISS?

There are issues with floating FOD.

It's not like laptops down here don't have to deal with the same danger every day.

I imagine off-the shelf laptops would work on ISS. At least as long as you don't take them to EVAs

Additional hardening may only marginally robustify them, but it does make sense considering how much does it cost to lift every kilogram up there.

Now that tablet PCs are so common, why not just use those, since they seem to be quite sealed up and impenetrable. These days you can buy cases that let you take them underwater.

[Silmfeanor]

Why would there be a problem with arcing on the ISS? Are there static-charge-buildup/grounding issues on ISS?

There are issues with floating FOD.

It's not like laptops down here don't have to deal with the same danger every day.

I imagine off-the shelf laptops would work on ISS. At least as long as you don't take them to EVAs

Additional hardening may only marginally robustify them, but it does make sense considering how much does it cost to lift every kilogram up there.

Now that tablet PCs are so common, why not just use those, since they seem to be quite sealed up and impenetrable. These days you can buy cases that let you take them underwater.

because sometimes, you want a keyboard and you want to be able to swap out batteries. Also, you want to have insight into the systems and the hardware. I think batteries are also customized to be less of a firehazard - sometimes they are totally replaced by custom versions.

Tablet pc's also might not run the OS for the programs they need to run. There are or where tablets on the ISS - some kind of Archos I think.

[Ben the Space Brit]

SpaceX have reported acquisition of the ISS by the DragonEye sensor package.

[sanman]

Any screencaptures of that DragonEye thermal view?

[Rex Chan]

I saw Dragon (from the ISS cameras)!! Check the Update thread for pics.

[sanman]

They can't make out the strobe light - so does Dragon get a free pass on that step? 

Maybe next time color the strobe light red/pink/orange