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

[northanger]

How much is built in California?

Shotwell: SpaceX is not an integrator of other companies, we build a vast majority at SpaceX... probably easier to say what I don't build there.

[northanger]

Suffy just said: We are going to launch on Sunday, the good Lord willing.

[tigerade]

Suff:  SpaceX can maneuver if ISS is maneuvered for debris.

Cabana talking about changes to the Cape.

[northanger]

Cabana: During these times of inflation, &c, we're tightening our belts as needed to make sure (if we can't do all we want) that we continue to do what needs to be done.

[Prober]

[northanger]

Someone just asked again, which ice cream? Suffy: I don't even know if we're flying ice cream.

"We have to take care of Suni", somebody else says.

[tigerade]

Anything from Russia segment for return cargo?
Suff:  Yes.  Has arranged with partners.  As need arises.

Plan to do own launches in the future?
Shotwell:  Will do own technology development, doesn't do science.  Moon and Mars are very ambitious, would be very difficult to do on our own.  Want to be part of partnership.

Space tourism for Dragon?
Shotwell:  Designed for humans, just not capable yet.  Working on it.  Biggest thing is LES.  Still crew interface work to do, space suits.  We are working on it.  Market not well defined outside of NASA.  Tourism?  Not a focus, but thrilled about it.

How far is crew rating?
Shotwell:   Will fly crew in 3 years probably.  7 astronauts possible on Dragon.

[tigerade]

And that's a rap.  Good talk.

[northanger]

Another question, prior: Sarah Brightman flying Soyuz, is SpaceX planning on tourism?

 Shotwell: We desgined Dragon with crew in mind, doesn't mean it's capable now, but it's got the "hooks".... there's still some crew development that we have to do... but we're enhancing Dragon to handle crew. Space tourism is very ill-defined right now, [Bigelow mentioned]... I'm thrilled to hear about anyone buying a ticket, but tourism is not a SpaceX focus right now.

[Arceus12345]

Question asked about the status of the future launch site being considered about SpaceX, specifically in relation to the one in Texas. They're considering many launch sites, but are the furthest in negotiations for the Texas one. A site north of the cape and one in Georgia are also being considered.

[John44]

SpaceX CRS-1/Dragon Pre-Launch Briefing
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7883

ISS Science Briefing
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7882

[northanger]

These are some of my notes:

Instantenous launch window, why?

Shotwell: Not exactly, but close. Those windows tend not to be long... we could not recycle in time so in effect [grammar check] it's fundamentally instantaneous.

Suffy pointed out that launch is a precise point where it's most efficient... shuttle had a whole ten minute window... we want to conserve performance and launch at the best time. This is true for all spacecraft launching to ISS.

Sam and Shotwell both (at different times) expressed that space was not easy or routine. Shotwell pointed out it's about improving performance ability which they're working toward. This mission should "go a little bit smoother"... SpaceX has developed a great relationship with NASA, the Air Force, FAA, and the FCC has been helpful this time round.

If they fly Sunday, it's 53 hours before rendezvous and berthing, opportunity the same on Monday. Tuesday it's 30 hours.

add:
This is the first time SpaceX sends GLACIER up and brings one back. Suffy talked a little more, later, about different items they could start to bring up and down.

[Rocket Science]

This is the first time downmass will exceed upmass…

[Joffan]

This is the first time downmass will exceed upmass…

The message was that this is expected to be the only time that downmass will exceed upmass. I'm not sure that is entirely likely - with SpaceX being the major downmass provider, I could see that recurring.

[Orbiter]

Just passed the L-24 mark.

[collectSPACE]

Someone just asked again, which ice cream? Suffy: I don't even know if we're flying ice cream.

The ice cream is flying.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Re-posting from the Dragon party thread...

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/living/launch/index.html

SpaceX Targets 8:30 p.m. Rollout
Sun, 07 Oct 2012 07:04:57 AM GMT+0800

Waiting for the current line of clouds to clear over the Florida launch site, SpaceX is targeting 8:30 p.m. EDT for the rollout of the Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket for Sunday's launch. Launch remains scheduled for 8:35 p.m. EDT.

The fact that SpaceX has already launched a successful cargo demonstration mission to the space station does not mean the California-based company is taking its upcoming flight for granted, said Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX.

Speaking during a pre-launch press conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Shotwell said the upcoming mission will be flown by a Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket combination that is nearly identical to the ones that flew in May.

"Every time we fly we learn something," Shotwell said. "We're a launch company, I'm excited every time we get to launch."

Of course it should be 8:30 am.... 

[paycom]

Re-posting from the Dragon party thread...

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/living/launch/index.html

SpaceX Targets 8:30 p.m. Rollout
Sun, 07 Oct 2012 07:04:57 AM GMT+0800

Waiting for the current line of clouds to clear over the Florida launch site, SpaceX is targeting 8:30 p.m. EDT for the rollout of the Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket for Sunday's launch. Launch remains scheduled for 8:35 p.m. EDT.

The fact that SpaceX has already launched a successful cargo demonstration mission to the space station does not mean the California-based company is taking its upcoming flight for granted, said Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX.

Speaking during a pre-launch press conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Shotwell said the upcoming mission will be flown by a Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket combination that is nearly identical to the ones that flew in May.

"Every time we fly we learn something," Shotwell said. "We're a launch company, I'm excited every time we get to launch."

Of course it should be 8:30 am.... 

I don't think so.  I think it may be 8:30 pm yesterday. At the presser Shotwell mentioned that the rollout should be complete by 06:00 am today...

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Re-posting from the Dragon party thread...

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/living/launch/index.html

SpaceX Targets 8:30 p.m. Rollout
Sun, 07 Oct 2012 07:04:57 AM GMT+0800

Waiting for the current line of clouds to clear over the Florida launch site, SpaceX is targeting 8:30 p.m. EDT for the rollout of the Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket for Sunday's launch. Launch remains scheduled for 8:35 p.m. EDT.

The fact that SpaceX has already launched a successful cargo demonstration mission to the space station does not mean the California-based company is taking its upcoming flight for granted, said Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX.

Speaking during a pre-launch press conference at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Shotwell said the upcoming mission will be flown by a Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket combination that is nearly identical to the ones that flew in May.

"Every time we fly we learn something," Shotwell said. "We're a launch company, I'm excited every time we get to launch."

Of course it should be 8:30 am.... 

I don't think so.  I think it may be 8:30 pm yesterday. At the presser Shotwell mentioned that the rollout should be complete by 06:00 am today...

Are you sure that's what she said?

Falcon and Dragon are in the shed right now. Roll-out in another few hours, according  to the briefing earlier. As I recall, roll-out was as late as 1pm if necessary; as early as 6am if weather indicates that would be a good idea. Local times.

[krytek]

Just to make sure I didn't mess up.
The launch is 00:30 UTC  right?