SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon CRS SpX-1 PROCESSING/Pre-LAUNCH UPDATES

[Chris Bergin]

There's a pre-launch presser at 6pm Eastern on NASA TV if someone wants to cover it. (I can't).

[tigerade]

6PM also for SpaceX webcast/livestream:
http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

[tigerade]

Suff. talking about hardware they wanted to fly on ATV, they are instead flying on CRS-1.  Talked about how it was easier to fly thanks to domestic capability.

[tigerade]

Shotwell going over the timeline for this flight.  Opportunity for Monday and Tuesday if scrubbed due to weather.  Berthed by JAXA astronaut and Suni Williams.  1000 pounds of cargo up, including powered cargo (Glacier freezer).  bringing back Glacier as well.  Insertion orbit slightly different on this mission compared to COTS2.  Full cargo racks.  Volume relatively full.  Falcon 9 is the same.  FTS improved, minor differences. 

[tigerade]

Weather officer:  Weather currently not favorable, optimistic it'll get better tomorrow.  even less chance of weather violation on Tuesday.

[sdsds]

Marcia Dunn asks about the low mass of cargo up. Shotwell dodged the question.

EDIT: On followup from another reporter, Shotwell: "I don't think there is any chance we won't make our 20 mt target."

[tigerade]

Could you put on more to go up on the Dragon? (cargo)

Shotwell:  CRS2 - scheduled for January
it's about volume
required to fly 20 metric tons, will carry 60 metric tons on successive flights

[Joffan]

Marcia Dunn asks about the low mass of cargo up. Shotwell dodged the question.

Disagree - there was an interesting assertion of 60 metric tons over the contract! (adding up and down - but still!)

[tigerade]

What if failure?

Shotwell: If mission failure, won't be fully paid.  I don't believe there is any chance we won't reach 20 metric ton requirement.

[Chris-A]

F9 related: First SpaceX made fuel domes, and improved FTS.

Weather:

[Chandonn]

Accuweather says there is a 50% chance of rain in the evening that drops to 20% by 8pm.

Rob'll get you for that

[tigerade]

What's the most important thing learned from COTS2?

Shotwell:  Spaceflight continues to be difficult, lot of hardwork went into that mission.  Not easy, hopefully we get better and better.  It's a good reminder that this is hard.

Dragon will be on station for about 3 weeks.

[tigerade]

Anything special on board Dragon?

Suff:  Flying things up for whole team.  Don't know really, talked about ice cream.  (light hearted).  Bonus food. 

[northanger]

Ice Cream? LOL. Suffy's checking if they're bringing that up.

[tigerade]

Secondary payload?

Shotwell:  Secondary payload... Orbcomm sat.  Needs to operate on orbit before launching 8-12 of them on a single flight.

Instantaneous launch window?

Shotwell: Not instant, but pretty dang close.  Want to rendezvous with ISS.  Short window for that.  Could not recycle in time.  That's why it's instantaneous.
Suff:  True for all vehicles, including Soyuz.

Weather constraints?
Shotwell:  Could have vehicle on pad during the rain.  Has to be vehicle on pad for 1pm.  Late load cargo.  Ice cream possible.
Further ahead in Texas, possible commercial site in Brownsville.  Puerto Rico nice.  Georgia potentially.  Further along with Texas.

COTS2 comparison?
Shotwell:  Won't do C2 maneuvers.  already demonstrated. Will just go to station this time.

[northanger]

Shotwell: We are driving straight to the station. C2/C3 demonstrated we could.

[tigerade]

Suff on space debris: Possible on Monday, probably will clear.  will talk to spacex if ISS is maneuvered.  I think will turn green.

[tigerade]

Suff:  Tests still going on with Orbital Sciences.  Not expecting demo flight until late Feb/early March.

[tigerade]

Human spacelight on Dragon?

Working closely with all 3 companies on space act agreements. 

[tigerade]

How much of hardware is built in California?

Shotwell:  Vast majority of hardware built in California.  Build tanks, domes, engines, avoinics, build Dragon, merlin, draco. Would be easier to tell you what we don't build.