Author Topic: LIVE: SpaceX Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) FD5+ (DOCKED OPS) UPDATES (Read 153616 times)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #40 on:** 05/26/2012 10:45 am »

Josh saying they are going over the Sahara Desert (Red Dragon

)

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #41 on:** 05/26/2012 10:45 am »

Still waiting to get back into Dragon. Letting for the air to mix around a bit more.

10 minutes until dust masks can come off.

Back to work, looks like Don and Andre are installing a shroud between the two vehicles (some closeout work). This is nominal.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #42 on:** 05/26/2012 10:46 am »

10 more minutes of masks - after Don asks the ground.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #43 on:** 05/26/2012 10:47 am »

Won't be the same without Clay Anderson doing his tricks. Not big enough anyway!

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #44 on:** 05/26/2012 10:51 am »

They made short work of that.

I bet Clay could make something work inside there, Chris!

Bugfix · « **Reply #45 on:** 05/26/2012 10:51 am »

Duct tape, essential for the operation of every spacecraft!

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #46 on:** 05/26/2012 10:54 am »

GO to remove goggles and masks at this time.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #47 on:** 05/26/2012 10:55 am »

Taking pics!

rushdrums · « **Reply #48 on:** 05/26/2012 10:55 am »

Quote from: Ford Mustang on 05/26/2012 10:45 am

Still waiting to get back into Dragon. Letting for the air to mix around a bit more.

10 minutes until dust masks can come off.

Back to work, looks like Don and Andre are installing a shroud between the two vehicles (some closeout work). This is nominal.

Got up early to watch this and the first live image I see is the install of that protective shroud...then they break out that highly technical connection device: silver duct tape
Huge grin by me. Some things never change. Like the easy solution and application of good ole duct tape. Anyone who has a roll or 3 in their house uses the same device that they use on ISS! Ha ha ha!

Still grinning...

-rush

..

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #49 on:** 05/26/2012 10:56 am »

Heh, Kirstin at SpaceX using a headline I used in a preview (coincidence):

SpaceX Mission Update

This morning, at 2:53 AM Pacific/5:53 AM Eastern, NASA astronauts stationed on board the International Space Station opened the hatch to SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

Astronaut Don Pettit opened the hatch and he and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, Station Commander, entered the Dragon for initial inspections. They were joined at the entrance of the hatch by ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers and Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka.

The operation went smoothly and ahead of schedule. Dragon’s interior looked good and Pettit remarked on the vehicle’s new car smell.

SpaceX engineers in Hawthorne, CA are putting Dragon into its final configuration for the duration of its visit to the station. Now the astronauts will get to work unloading the more than 1,000 pounds of cargo before refilling the vehicle with more than 1,400 pounds of cargo that will make the trip home.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #50 on:** 05/26/2012 10:57 am »

And another preview article covered the upmass and downmass for Dragon:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/04/cargo-up-down-spacexs-dragon-demonstrate-importance-downmass/

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #51 on:** 05/26/2012 10:57 am »

Oh! Josh notes the SSRMS is going to keep a hold of Dragon, so I wonder if the Dextre inspection is now off. I'll try and find out.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #52 on:** 05/26/2012 10:58 am »

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #53 on:** 05/26/2012 10:59 am »

NTV closing coverage until the presser.

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #54 on:** 05/26/2012 11:00 am »

And live coverage on NASA TV has ended, they'll be back at 11:25 am EDT for an Expedition 31 news conference..

Rex Chan · « **Reply #55 on:** 05/26/2012 11:02 am »

On the ISS feed, Don talking more about air sample testing (keen to see results).

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #56 on:** 05/26/2012 11:02 am »

For anyone who missed the Dragon hatch opening, it's now on NASA TV's YouTube page:

Space Pete · « **Reply #57 on:** 05/26/2012 11:09 am »

So the most important question of the day is answered: They DID install the VBA (Vestibule Barrier Assembly)!

Great coverage, awesome work.

Space Pete · « **Reply #58 on:** 05/26/2012 11:14 am »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 05/26/2012 10:57 am

Oh! Josh notes the SSRMS is going to keep a hold of Dragon, so I wonder if the Dextre inspection is now off. I'll try and find out.

Hmm, that seems odd. Don't know why they'd do that.

Dextre inspection was scheduled for tomorrow, last I heard.

swervin · « **Reply #59 on:** 05/26/2012 11:26 am »

Can someone provide a link to the ISS feed? Already saw the press conf yesterday...

Live footage from onboard, right?

Nick