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

[padrat]

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.

The Dracos are covered with rain covers that come off on ascent. The gold colored plate is one of the locations where 2nd stage and the trunk bolt together.

[guckyfan]

The Dracos are covered with rain covers that come off on ascent. The gold colored plate is one of the locations where 2nd stage and the trunk bolt together.

Thanks.

I really appreciate that you post your on site hands on knowledge.

[docmordrid]

The Dracos are covered with rain covers that come off on ascent. The gold colored plate is one of the locations where 2nd stage and the trunk bolt together.

Thanks.

I really appreciate that you post your on site hands on knowledge.

I think we all do! Thanks from here too padrat.

[dsmillman]

Press Kit for CRS2

http://www.spacex.com/downloads/crs2-press-kit.pdf
.

On page 8, the seconds part of the times have been cut off.

[Joffan]

The ability of SpaceX to hotfire the Falcon and turn it round for launch four days later is impressive. Perhaps even more is their confidence that they can do this. It shows how far they have matured the launch process for Falcon.

[Comga]

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)

Do you have distances for the offsets of the landings from the targets for COTS-2+ and CRS-1?  If so, can you tell us the source, mainly so that we can go there after the CRS-2 landing?

[Prober]

Just posted on SpaceX's YouTube channel:

Flame trench looks like it has been enlarged?

[russianhalo117]

Just posted on SpaceX's YouTube channel:

Flame trench looks like it has been enlarged?

New holes in the pad surface are approximately same spot and dimensions to those just built at SLC-4E The part inside the TEL tracks is next to be removed for new SLC-4E based TEL hydraulic lifting device. It is confirmed that F9 and FH will use same HIF.

[douglas100]

It is confirmed that F9 and FH will use same HIF.

Just to be clear: are you talking about SLC-40 or SLC-4E here? (or both?)

[corrodedNut]

It is confirmed that F9 and FH will use same HIF.

Just to be clear: are you talking about SLC-40 or SLC-4E here? (or both?)

See my post here:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30385.msg1017796#msg1017796

[Jim]

It is confirmed that F9 and FH will use same HIF.

Not at CCAFS

[russianhalo117]

It is confirmed that F9 and FH will use same HIF.

Not at CCAFS

HIF:
Can you link me or post confirmed information about HIF at CCAFS that is not from a forum. Both HIF's in photos and video appear the same dimensions.
Pad:
The changes to the SLC-40 pad surface closely resemble the holes at SLC-4E. Only the center between the tracks has not been removed yet for the new TEL lifting devices.

[Lars_J]

russianhalo117, be clear. Are you speculating based on the images or do you have a source for what you claim?

[russianhalo117]

russianhalo117, be clear. Are you speculating based on the images or do you have a source for what you claim?

it is based from what is shown in the SpaceX Videos on Youtube and comparing the images to videos. Based on what I analyzed I arrive at the conclusion that TEL end of both pad will be similar. Unless the video and imagery is deceiving in nature I credit these as valid sources of imagery and video since they are published. Since SpaceX itself rarely gives insight to this it make things more difficult to try and understand. Given the imagery in the assembly of SLC-4E's FH TEL, the track spacing appears close or identical to SLC-40 track spacing. Future imagery of both pads during mod construction will make things much clearer to me.

[Lars_J]

Ok - but since the transporter at SLC-4E will not use tracks at all, how do you come to a conclusion based off track size?

[russianhalo117]

Ok - but since the transporter at SLC-4E will not use tracks at all, how do you come to a conclusion based off track size?

Meant to specify road tracks I do not know what you call it in the USA since I grew up mainly in Europe.
the hole between the road tracks for the TEL at SLC -4E is about same width of center between the inside rail tracks at SLC-40. Yes, it is based off published media, but until SpaceX answers questions I will not fully know at this point.

[Jim]

It is confirmed that F9 and FH will use same HIF.

Not at CCAFS

HIF:
Can you link me or post confirmed information about HIF at CCAFS that is not from a forum. Both HIF's in photos and video appear the same dimensions.
Pad:
The changes to the SLC-40 pad surface closely resemble the holes at SLC-4E. Only the center between the tracks has not been removed yet for the new TEL lifting devices.

There is a thread showing it. 

[douglas100]

A while ago, in another thread, someone Photoshopped  two more cores onto a picture of F9 being rolled out of the hangar. This made it pretty clear that the current hangar at SLC-40 was too small for FH. Whether the current pad mods are for V1.1 only or for FH as well, is unclear. If FH is going to launch from SLC-40 I think it's certain that a new hangar will be needed (at least.)

[Ragmar]

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?

Still no insight on the HRSGF mass question? It seems odd that the HRSGF images on the mission patches would be the only public appearance Dragon's first unpressurized cargo would make in the days immediately preceding launch

[Ben the Space Brit]

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?

Still no insight on the HRSGF mass question? It seems odd that the HRSGF images on the mission patches would be the only public appearance Dragon's first unpressurized cargo would make in the days immediately preceding launch

On previous flights, there has been a camera on top of the F9US filming s/c separation.  If it works properly this time, we should get a clear view of the HRSGF in the trunk as SpX-CRS-2 moves clear of the launch vehicle.