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

[joek]

It looks like the 677kg up mass for Dragon does not include the Two Heat Rejection Subsystem Grapple Fixtures (HRSGFs) in Dragons trunk. Does anyone know their mass?

Good question.  I was going to include unpressurized up-mass in the chart, but couldn't find a reference.  (An old reference suggested 1278kg total up-mass for SpX-2, which suggests the HRSFG's are ~600kg, but no idea if that's accurate.)

Anyone?  And any reason those aren't listed on the manifest--or if they are, is there a code for deciphering the published manifest for pressurized vs. unpressurized?

[Chris Bergin]

Posting Pete's excellent article for CRS-2 in here to allow discussion:

SpaceX Dragon to make third ISS visit amid logistics schedule challenges
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/02/dragon-third-visit-logistics-schedule-challenges/

[Antares]

As usual SpaceX > NASA.  I wonder what the three colors in the ascent flourish on the SpaceX insignia signify.

[Jason1701]

I wonder what the three colors in the ascent flourish on the SpaceX insignia signify.

Sciences blue, engineering red, command gold? (Or vice versa for the last two.)

[Prober]

Remember, this is a live update thread. We have other threads for non updates.

Now, an excellent article by Pete Harding. Will give it a standalone.

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/02/dragon-third-visit-logistics-schedule-challenges/

excellent historical timeline article......great to bring a person back up to speed on events.

[ugordan]

I wonder what the three colors in the ascent flourish on the SpaceX insignia signify.

Sciences blue, engineering red, command gold? (Or vice versa for the last two.)

Err, the SpaceX one is the one with the F9 and four-leaf clover. The colors are white and two shades of blue.

[Jason1701]

I wonder what the three colors in the ascent flourish on the SpaceX insignia signify.

Sciences blue, engineering red, command gold? (Or vice versa for the last two.)

Err, the SpaceX one is the one with the F9 and four-leaf clover. The colors are white and two shades of blue.

Sorry, was thinking NASA's.

[MP99]

As usual SpaceX > NASA.  I wonder what the three colors in the ascent flourish on the SpaceX insignia signify.

Third Dragon flight to go to ISS?

Cheers, Martin

[jcm]

It looks like the 677kg up mass for Dragon does not include the Two Heat Rejection Subsystem Grapple Fixtures (HRSGFs) in Dragons trunk. Does anyone know their mass?

Good question.  I was going to include unpressurized up-mass in the chart, but couldn't find a reference.  (An old reference suggested 1278kg total up-mass for SpX-2, which suggests the HRSFG's are ~600kg, but no idea if that's accurate.)

Anyone?  And any reason those aren't listed on the manifest--or if they are, is there a code for deciphering the published manifest for pressurized vs. unpressurized?

I'd like to second this request - I think it's important to know what the HRS FG masses are  - perhaps we can get that from whichever part of NASA is responsible for this item, do we know? I think the overall HRS is NASA-Glenn but I don't know who would do the grapple fixtures.

[Chris Bergin]

Party thread for CRS-2/SpX-2:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31195.0

[Space Pete]

I think the overall HRS is NASA-Glenn but I don't know who would do the grapple fixtures.

I would say JSC, as the HRSGFs are to aid in radiator repair/replace, which is all handled by JSC.

On that subject, any info at all on the HRSGFs would be nice.

[manboy]

I think the overall HRS is NASA-Glenn but I don't know who would do the grapple fixtures.

I would say JSC, as the HRSGFs are to aid in radiator repair/replace, which is all handled by JSC.

On that subject, any info at all on the HRSGFs would be nice.

What's weird is that we haven't even seen any pictures of hardware. I wonder when or if they've been attached to Dragon's trunk.

[padrat]

Join L2..

[Ben the Space Brit]

I think the overall HRS is NASA-Glenn but I don't know who would do the grapple fixtures.

I would say JSC, as the HRSGFs are to aid in radiator repair/replace, which is all handled by JSC.

On that subject, any info at all on the HRSGFs would be nice.

What's weird is that we haven't even seen any pictures of hardware. I wonder when or if they've been attached to Dragon's trunk.

It's odd for a company that's normally so media-savvy but SpaceX does not seem to be as interested as ULA and NASA in pouring hundreds of processing images into the public domain for routine flights and routine processing operations.

[Joffan]

Press Kit for CRS2

http://www.spacex.com/downloads/crs2-press-kit.pdf
On page 6, something I hadn't realized:

Dragon’s landing is controlled by automatic firing of its Draco thrusters during reentry.

(bold added)

Does this just mean damping out attitude oscillations or are we talking about steering here?

[dragon44]

Does this just mean damping out attitude oscillations or are we talking about steering here?

From http://www.spaceflight101.com/dragon-c2-mission-updates.html
Dragon's computers were constantly using navigation data provided by the vehicle's GPS System and Inertial Measurement Units to adjust the vehicle's orientation to control the lift generated by the capsule to precisely target its desired splashdown zone. The Draco Thrusters were used to orient the spacecraft during entry.

From http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20120530
The landing location is controlled by firing the Draco thrusters during reentry.

[jabe]

well
Elon just Tweeted that all is well..so next firing is friday
jb

[Comga]

Posted in the Updates thread:

Posted 14 minutes ago on SpaceX's facebook page:

The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft in SpaceX’s hangar! Just T-4 days until launch, targeted for this Friday March 1 at 10:10AM ET.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152594840350131&set=a.10150303260090131.563831.353851465130&type=1&theater

The Draco openings are covered in white.  There are no "Remove before launch" tags.  Do they just burst that material when they fire?

What is the copper/brass/gold element on top?  An antenna?

Is the aft-looking launch camera in the protrusion on the tunnel on the second stage?

I think it looks darn good, and am looking forward to the launch.

[Lars_J]

Press Kit for CRS2

http://www.spacex.com/downloads/crs2-press-kit.pdf
On page 6, something I hadn't realized:

Dragon’s landing is controlled by automatic firing of its Draco thrusters during reentry.

(bold added)

Does this just mean damping out attitude oscillations or are we talking about steering here?

Steering, otherwise they would not be able to achieve the precision they have so far. (all landings appear to have been within a mile of the target)

[corrodedNut]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152594840350131&set=a.10150303260090131.563831.353851465130&type=1&theater

The Draco openings are covered in white.  There are no "Remove before launch" tags.  Do they just burst that material when they fire?

Is the aft-looking launch camera in the protrusion on the tunnel on the second stage?

The Draco covers probably tear away at or before MaxQ. The onboard camera is on the strongback-side of the vehicle, at least it was on every previous launch.