SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon CRS-2 SpX-2 MISSION GENERAL DISCUSSION

[Norm38]

A general question. Now that all the flight hardware is at the cape, how much time is needed to assemble the hardware and be ready to go vertical?  How fast can they launch if they wanted to?

[oldAtlas_Eguy]

A general question. Now that all the flight hardware is at the cape, how much time is needed to assemble the hardware and be ready to go vertical?  How fast can they launch if they wanted to?

CRS-1 Dragon arrived at SLC-40 on 14 August and was launched on 7 October, a period of about 7 weeks.

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=29792.0

CRS-2 is already at SLC-40 so a mid to early March launch date is easilly attainable based on historical past performance data.

[aero]

Since the rocket is already at the cape, what are the odds of a modification resulting from the conclusion of the study of the recent engine failure?

[Lars_J]

Since the rocket is already at the cape, what are the odds of a modification resulting from the conclusion of the study of the recent engine failure?

Rather good, I would say. Remember, these are the people that trimmed the upper stage nozzle while vertical at the pad on Dragon C1.

[PCSTEL]

Question on docking availability at ISS.  I believe I read that there are 4 Soyuz/Progress/Dragon docking ports and a single Soyuz always docked for emergencies.  So that leaves 3 open.  Just looking at Space X CRS 2 and the Soyuz/Progress planed launches. 

We have the following planned Progress/SpaceX launches for 2013

February 11 – Progress M-18M
March 1 - Dragon-CRS2
March 28 – Soyuz TMA-08M
April 24 – Progress M-19M
May 28 – Soyuz TMA-09M
July 24 – Progress M-20M
September 25 – Soyuz TMA-10M
September 30 - Dragon CRS3
October 16 – Progress M-21M
November 25 – Soyuz TMA-11M


So my question is.. IF SpaceX can't make the March 1st launch (for some reason). Which is sandwiched 3 weeks in between two Soyuz/Progress launches.  At what point does a delayed SapceX launch begin to interfere with processing capability of cargo at the ISS with Russian launches and what kind of delays would this present to CRS2? 
TIA. 

[hop]

Question on docking availability at ISS.  I believe I read that there are 4 Soyuz/Progress/Dragon docking ports

This is not correct, Dragon does not use Russian segment docking ports, it is berthed to the US segment by the robot arm, like HTV. Soyuz, Progress and ATV dock on the Russian segment.

[baldusi]

BTW, there has to always be enough Soyuz for everybody to leave. So you only get one Soyuz when the crew gets to three between one increment landing and the next's launch (less than a month per year).
And Progress, Soyuz and ATV use the Russian Side Cone and Probe, while HTV/Dragon/Cygnus use the CBM. The Crewed version of Dragon, CST-100 and Dream Chase use whatever will replace APAS, thus, they have on port, and may be you could convert one of the CBM to crew, too.
Just a basic Wikipedia read would have shown this.

[manboy]

Question on docking availability at ISS.  I believe I read that there are 4 Soyuz/Progress/Dragon docking ports and a single Soyuz always docked for emergencies.  So that leaves 3 open.  Just looking at Space X CRS 2 and the Soyuz/Progress planed launches. 

We have the following planned Progress/SpaceX launches for 2013

February 11 – Progress M-18M
March 1 - Dragon-CRS2
March 28 – Soyuz TMA-08M
April 24 – Progress M-19M
May 28 – Soyuz TMA-09M
July 24 – Progress M-20M
September 25 – Soyuz TMA-10M
September 30 - Dragon CRS3
October 16 – Progress M-21M
November 25 – Soyuz TMA-11M


So my question is.. IF SpaceX can't make the March 1st launch (for some reason). Which is sandwiched 3 weeks in between two Soyuz/Progress launches.  At what point does a delayed SapceX launch begin to interfere with processing capability of cargo at the ISS with Russian launches and what kind of delays would this present to CRS2? 
TIA. 

Soyuz, Progress and ATV use SSVP-G4000. Dragon, HTV, and Cygnus use the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM). At the moment there are only two CBMS that visiting vehicles can be attached to, Node 2 nadir and Node 2 zenith.

[Norm38]

Based on the Florida Today article OccupyMars posted in the update thread, it looks like SpaceX ended up about where I thought they might. They have theories on the engine issue but no real root cause. They can't identify any problems with the remaining 1Cs and have no changes to make.

So they can either spend a year on potentially fruitless ground testing, or they can launch the last of the old design. Time to move on.  I think they'll make the March date baring anything new.

[kevin-rf]

Well, hopefully the engines are new

[woods170]

Based on the Florida Today article OccupyMars posted in the update thread, it looks like SpaceX ended up about where I thought they might. They have theories on the engine issue but no real root cause.

That usually is the case when the failed component in question has not been recovered from the ocean floor. With no examination performed on the actual engine, and only very marginal visual evidence (from launch footage) it can be quite hard to pin down the root cause.

[IRobot]

Based on the Florida Today article OccupyMars posted in the update thread, it looks like SpaceX ended up about where I thought they might. They have theories on the engine issue but no real root cause.

That usually is the case when the failed component in question has not been recovered from the ocean floor. With no examination performed on the actual engine, and only very marginal visual evidence (from launch footage) it can be quite hard to pin down the root cause.

No, there is plenty of telemetry info. The image only shows the implosion due to pressure drop.

[Comga]

jacqmans posted a photo of the CRS-2 rocket.

There are tire tracks on the interstage.
Can anyone explain how SpaceX gets tire tracks on their rocket body?

[joek]

There are tire tracks on the interstage.
Can anyone explain how SpaceX gets tire tracks on their rocket body?

Possibly; see strangequark 's post here

[Robotbeat]

jacqmans posted a photo of the CRS-2 rocket.

There are tire tracks on the interstage.
Can anyone explain how SpaceX gets tire tracks on their rocket body?

Probably one of the stands (someowhere in its processing flow, or perhaps used for transport) has tires on it to make rotating the stage easy. And apparently, the tires got dirty.

It doesn't strike me as anything important at all.

[joek]

It doesn't strike me as anything important at all.

Dare say on this forum?

[Comga]

jacqmans posted a photo of the CRS-2 rocket.

There are tire tracks on the interstage.
Can anyone explain how SpaceX gets tire tracks on their rocket body?

Probably one of the stands (someowhere in its processing flow, or perhaps used for transport) has tires on it to make rotating the stage easy. And apparently, the tires got dirty.

It doesn't strike me as anything important at all.

You, and strangequark and Lars all make the same logical guess, but does anyone here really know?

I agree it is probably not important for flight, but it is hard to imagine how they could even get that much dirt on a fixture without running it on the ground, and they didn't clean it off.  With all that gleaming white it is just odd.

[Robotbeat]

It doesn't strike me as anything important at all.

Dare say on this forum?

You're right. I REALLY meant:
"Oh no, SpaceX ran over their rocket! ISS is clearly doomed next time Dragon launches there..."

[corrodedNut]

There were similar marks on previous vehicles.

[Comga]

There were similar marks on previous vehicles.

Thanks!  The photo with Elon explains it.  Just what I was looking for.