LIVE: SpaceX Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) FD2 and FD3 UPDATES

[psloss]

DCE burn coming up in about 38 minutes

[Rex Chan]

NASA ‏@NASA
The @SpaceX #Dragon capsule fly-under of the #ISS has been successfully completed! 10amET news briefing to follow live: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

[Ben the Space Brit]

Any news about whether any images were taken during closest approach?

[rdale]

Arm motion in progress - http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/iss_ustream.html

[psloss]

DCE burn TIG currently 12:53:10 GMT

Looks like the SSRMS is currently in motion...

[psloss]

Sounds like Don is doing an evaluation with the SSRMS, looking at dynamics, says he might need another 15 minutes or so...

[psloss]

Under four minutes to the DCE burn; TIG is now 12:53:00 GMT

[corrodedNut]

Video of the fly-under:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=144472261

[Rex Chan]

Video of the fly-under:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=144472261

Johnson Space Center ‏@NASA_Johnson
Video cameras aboard #ISS capture views of #Dragon during this morning's "fly-under" of the complex. http://1.usa.gov/KBmkod

SpaceX ‏@SpaceX
Incredible video from @NASA shows #Dragon as it closes in on the International Space Station. http://ow.ly/b7B01

SpaceX ‏@SpaceX
News briefing with @NASA live at 10:00 am ET on NASA TV http://ow.ly/b7xJT

[psloss]

No status of the DCE burn on the S/G loops, but no news is good news, at least for the time being.  Looks like they're taking pictures in the ISS FCR.

[garidan]

Video of the fly-under:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=144472261

Beautiful indeed !!
Nice to see Dragon with its panel-wings 

[Chris Bergin]

SpaceX release has been corrected (resent);

SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft Completes Key Tests In Quest to Visit Space Station

Most Difficult Challenges Still Ahead

 

Hawthorne, CA – Today, Space Exploration Technologies’ (SpaceX) Dragon spacecraft completed key on-orbit tests as part of a historic attempt to be the first commercial company in history to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station.

 

In the days since SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, the vehicle has steadily completed one task after another as it prepares to berth with the International Space Station. Only minutes after the spacecraft separated from the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage, its solar arrays successfully deployed, providing power to the spacecraft.  The door that had been covering sensors needed for proximity operations opened successfully. 

 

On Tuesday and Wednesday Dragon traveled in orbit, firing its thrusters to catch up to the space station. During that time, the vehicle hit a series of milestones.  Dragon showed its Absolute Global Positioning System (GPS) is in good working order.  The vehicle demonstrated both a pulsed and a full abort.  It also demonstrated free drift, floating freely in orbit as it will when grappled by the space station’s robotic arm. And its proximity operations sensors and SpaceX’s COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) are up and running.

 

Early this morning, Dragon’s thrusters fired, bringing the vehicle 2.4 kilometers below the International Space Station.  The vehicle completed two key tests at that distance. Dragon demonstrated its Relative GPS and established a communications link with the International Space Station using CUCU.  Astronauts commanded on Dragon’s strobe light to confirm the link worked.  A video of Dragon as seen by the space station is available at http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=144472261

 

With these tests complete, Dragon has started the trip flying around the space station, returning the spacecraft to its original approach location. 

 

Dragon has been performing well, but the most difficult aspects of the mission are still ahead.

 

FRIDAY MORNING – Final Approach, Dragon Grapple

 

Around 2:00 AM Pacific/5:00 AM Eastern NASA will decide if Dragon is GO to move into the approach ellipsoid 1.4 kilometers around the space station. If Dragon is GO, after approximately one hour Dragon will move to a location 250 meters directly below the station.  Dragon will then perform a series of maneuvers to show systems are operating as expected.  If NASA is satisfied with the results of these many tests, Dragon will be allowed to perform the final approach to the space station. 

 

Sometime around 6:00 AM Pacific/9:00 AM Eastern, astronauts on the space station will grapple Dragon with the space station’s robotic arm and the spacecraft will attach to the station.

 

SATURDAY MORNING – Hatch Opening

 

If all goes well, at approximately 2:00 AM Pacific/5:00 AM Eastern, the crew will start procedures to open Dragon’s hatch.  It will take around 2 hours to complete all operations leading to the hatch opening.  Once the hatch is opened, astronauts will enter Dragon for the first time in space.

                                                                                                                                           

All dates and times are approximate and could easily change.

 

This is SpaceX's second demonstration flight under a 2006 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement with NASA to develop the capability to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station. Demonstration launches are conducted to determine potential issues so that they might be addressed; by their very nature, they carry a significant risk. If any aspect of the mission is not successful, SpaceX will learn from the experience and try again.

 

For More on SpaceX’s Mission to the Space Station

Launch Press Kit: http://www.spacex.com/downloads/COTS-2-Press-Kit-5-14-12.pdf

Twitter: http://twitter.com/spacex/elonmusk

Twitter: http://twitter.com/spacex/SpaceX

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpaceX

[Rex Chan]

MIssion Status Briefing on NTV soon...

[Rocket Science]

Webcast started...

[Chris Bergin]

Ms Ridings noting how positive the objective completion was today, also with the dual team work of two teams with different vehicles. Was very smooth.

[Chris Bergin]

Ms Riding's opposite number at SpaceX MCC. (MCC-X).

"Looking good right across the board."

(Sorry about the mistimed capture!)

[jabe]

hope they ask about fuel reserves and if they have concerns about "running low" ...
jb
edit:there is the answer..fuel reserves are great

[rdale]

Great question from psloss! Back on timeline for tomorrow...

[rdale]

hope they ask about fuel reserves and if they have concerns about "running low" ...
jb

They have more fuel than planned pre-flight, no concerns. Should have enough protection for an extension, or in case they do another attempt. Cameras will be available if they are over a ground station, so video of station can be fed but will be in IR. SpaceX is feeding that to NASA so can be on NASA TV.

[John44]

SpaceXDragon Fly-Under of the ISS
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7600

SpaceX/Dragon Fly-Under of the ISS Full Coverage
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7598