SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon CRS SpX-2 PROCESSING/Pre-LAUNCH UPDATES

[woods170]

Time for a SpX-2 processing thread now that the Dragon for this mission has arrived at the launch site.

Picture of Dragon and F9 005 at SLC-40!

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/537695_10152360964895131_383864606_n.jpg

FOR THE MISSION SPECIFIC DISCUSSION (NOT UPDATES), SEE THIS THREAD:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30184.0

Please note the difference between this thread and the update thread.

Resources:

SpaceX GENERAL Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=45.0 - please use this for general questions NOT specific to SpX-2.

SpaceX MISSIONS Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0 - this section is for everything specific to SpaceX missions.

SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0

SpaceX News Articles (Recent):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/


L2 SpaceX Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=tags&tags=SpaceX

L2 SpaceX Dragon C2+ Mission Special (Exclusively acquired pre-launch and Mission Coverage, Presentations, Graphics, Videos, Updates) - in the new L2 Commercial Crew and Cargo Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=54.0

[Moe Grills]

Time for a SpX-2 processing thread now that the Dragon for this mission has arrived at the launch site.

Picture of Dragon and F9 005 at SLC-40!

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/537695_10152360964895131_383864606_n.jpg

FOR THE MISSION SPECIFIC DISCUSSION (NOT UPDATES), SEE THIS THREAD:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30184.0

Please note the difference between this thread and the update thread.

Resources:

SpaceX GENERAL Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=45.0 - please use this for general questions NOT specific to SpX-2.

SpaceX MISSIONS Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0 - this section is for everything specific to SpaceX missions.

SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0

SpaceX News Articles (Recent):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/


L2 SpaceX Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=tags&tags=SpaceX

L2 SpaceX Dragon C2+ Mission Special (Exclusively acquired pre-launch and Mission Coverage, Presentations, Graphics, Videos, Updates) - in the new L2 Commercial Crew and Cargo Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=54.0

     I like the fact that March/01/13 is still listed as the target date
for this next launch. That's quite a show of confidence from SpaceX.
They are growing in confidence with each launch it seems.
Good of them.

[Antares]

It will be interesting to see if the cargo manifest changes and look at the uniqueness/expense of any cargo removed or added.  That could indicate NASA's confidence in SpaceX's investigation and any corrective actions.  We get those manifests on L2, right?

[smoliarm]

Today in Yahoo News they say:
       "SpaceX’s next cargo flight to the station is set for May 2013."
http://news.yahoo.com/private-space-travel-giant-leaps-2013-173812138.html
(3-d paragraph)

Is this a real delay, or just a mistype ?

[Ben the Space Brit]

@ smoliarm,

Given that Yahoo News aren't renowned for doing anything but republishing wire reports, I'll say 'mistype', unless we get it confirmed by someone like Space News or even the East Range.

[IRobot]

It seems the source for Yahoo was space.com, which has a bit more credit. Still, they have serious typos from time to time.

http://www.space.com/19086-private-space-travel-leaps-2013.html

[Jason1701]

The authoritative list on NSF doesn't show any changes. Space.com probably got it wrong.

[dsobin]

Space.com just acknowledged their error and changed the date to March 2013.

[Dappa]

SpaceX ‏@SpaceX

Over the holidays, #Dragon arrived at @SpaceX’s Cape hangar. Now preparing for next mission to station! pic.twitter.com/GCNULPLe

[jabe]

SpaceX ‏@SpaceX

Over the holidays, #Dragon arrived at @SpaceX’s Cape hangar. Now preparing for next mission to station! pic.twitter.com/GCNULPLe

pics now at http://spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com/p190296859
jb

[Chris Bergin]

L2's CRS-2 mission section has (well, yesterday, forgot to cross-over):

SLC-40 – Falcon 9 / ISS Resupply SPX-2
Launch > 3/1 > launch window - 1010L

[Ben the Space Brit]

L2's CRS-2 mission section has (well, yesterday, forgot to cross-over):

SLC-40 – Falcon 9 / ISS Resupply SPX-2
Launch > 3/1 > launch window - 1010L

So, that would be the first daylight launch of a full Dragon?

[Orbiter]

L2's CRS-2 mission section has (well, yesterday, forgot to cross-over):

SLC-40 – Falcon 9 / ISS Resupply SPX-2
Launch > 3/1 > launch window - 1010L

So, that would be the first daylight launch of a full Dragon?

That would be a night launch if I'm reading it right, 6:10am.

EDIT -- take that back, would be indeed a day launch.

[Jason1701]

L2's CRS-2 mission section has (well, yesterday, forgot to cross-over):

SLC-40 – Falcon 9 / ISS Resupply SPX-2
Launch > 3/1 > launch window - 1010L

So, that would be the first daylight launch of a full Dragon?

That would be a night launch if I'm reading it right, 6:10am.

1010 local time, and yes to Ben.

[Occupymars]

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130117/SPACE03/130117013/NASA-confident-SpaceX-engines-ready-March-launch?nclick_check=1

[jacqmans]

SpaceX‏@SpaceX

Great photo of @NASA astronauts with Falcon 9, helping prepare cargo for #Dragon's next trip to station http://pic.twitter.com/p6zjBHYK
 

[corrodedNut]

These vehicle arrival photos are dated Nov 9th and 12th, but I think they must have been added recently:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=225

Note that the 2nd stage arrived first. Not sure if one or both stages came direct from McGregor or were previously held at Hangar AO ("HangarX").

[tigerade]

Dragon being loaded onto it's trunk for the March 1st flight:

[Ben the Space Brit]

Dragon being loaded onto it's trunk for the March 1st flight:

Clean suits and dust sheets up! I'm sure Jim will be pleased as punch to see the SpaceX crew looking so much more 'professional' (i.e. NASA-like) than usual.

Do my eyes deceive me or are the solar array bays open and uncovered? Does SpaceX carry out condition checks on the solar arrays during final integration?

[Space Pete]

Clean suits and dust sheets up! I'm sure Jim will be pleased as punch to see the SpaceX crew looking so much more 'professional' (i.e. NASA-like) than usual.

Just a good job we can't see the guy smoking behind the camera.

[IRobot]

You have cleaner environment in a small SMD electronics assembly company...

[kirghizstan]

Dragon being loaded onto it's trunk for the March 1st flight:

Clean suits and dust sheets up! I'm sure Jim will be pleased as punch to see the SpaceX crew looking so much more 'professional' (i.e. NASA-like) than usual.

Do my eyes deceive me or are the solar array bays open and uncovered? Does SpaceX carry out condition checks on the solar arrays during final integration?

Looks like the open them up to access somtng they cover needed for joining the dragon to its tail

[Lars_J]

Do my eyes deceive me or are the solar array bays open and uncovered? Does SpaceX carry out condition checks on the solar arrays during final integration?

No, the arrays still seem to be in their protective (plastic?) cover, unopened. There appears to be some other black things hanging in the background on the left side that only makes it look like the array is opened.

[pippin]

What are these red, circular items on the heat shield? Never noticed this for the other Dragons.

[Lars_J]

What are these red, circular items on the heat shield? Never noticed this for the other Dragons.

Where the capsule attaches to the trunk.

[pippin]

Ah. Thanks. So there are like power connections there? Didn't notice they have these going through the heat shield.
Are they somehow covered during reentry?
Do we have images of this after reentry here (didn't find any)

[pippin]

OK, I get the point....
http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/f9-3-c2.jpg

Still: how does this look after reentry and are there powerlines there, too?

[Jason1701]

Too small to tell for sure, but it looks like the red circles could be remove-before-flight covers.

[Jim]

Ah. Thanks. So there are like power connections there?

No, it is on the side like Apollo

[Lars_J]

Ah. Thanks. So there are like power connections there? Didn't notice they have these going through the heat shield.

No, those six points are just for structural attachment. The power and cooling lines do NOT go through the heat shield - they are connected by a "claw" arm that attaches to the outside base of the capsule. See the image in this post: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28920.msg903997#msg903997

Are they somehow covered during reentry?
Do we have images of this after reentry here (didn't find any)

No, those six points are not covered during re-entry, they are made of some sturdy alloy.

[oiorionsbelt]

I asked sometime back about those attachment points and what material they were made from as they aren't PICAX and yet are right in the heat of the plasma flow during reentry. I don't think I received a definitive answer. Anyone?

[pippin]

No, those six points are just for structural attachment. The power and cooling lines do NOT go through the heat shield - they are connected by a "claw" arm that attaches to the outside base of the capsule. See the image in this post: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28920.msg903997#msg903997

Thanks!
Starts to make sense to me....

Still kind of surprised about the hard attachment points.
Sturdy alloy or not they have to create some sort of heat transfer, at least if they are made of metal which I would assume is a bigger issue than getting them to survive themselves.
And if they are not, I'd be kind of surprised that they hold the whole thing, after all, Dragon is fully exposed so at MaxQ these 6 attachment points will have to carry quite some loads.

Are they maybe simply far enough out of the plasma flow to keep the temperature at bay simply by being deep enough behind the "plane" of the heat shield?

Or can you make stuff like that out of carbon-fiber/ceramics composites (like breaks) these days? But these would still have quite some thermal conductivity.

[beancounter]

No, those six points are just for structural attachment. The power and cooling lines do NOT go through the heat shield - they are connected by a "claw" arm that attaches to the outside base of the capsule. See the image in this post: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28920.msg903997#msg903997

Thanks!
Starts to make sense to me....

Still kind of surprised about the hard attachment points.
Sturdy alloy or not they have to create some sort of heat transfer, at least if they are made of metal which I would assume is a bigger issue than getting them to survive themselves.
And if they are not, I'd be kind of surprised that they hold the whole thing, after all, Dragon is fully exposed so at MaxQ these 6 attachment points will have to carry quite some loads.

Are they maybe simply far enough out of the plasma flow to keep the temperature at bay simply by being deep enough behind the "plane" of the heat shield?

Or can you make stuff like that out of carbon-fiber/ceramics composites (like breaks) these days? But these would still have quite some thermal conductivity.

I remember reading an article some time back which demonstrated the flow of heat on the heatshield.  Think it was originally for Orion?!  Anyway, it seems that the design of the cavity directs the flow of heat partially into the cavity but not all the way and hence protects the hard spot from the extreme temperatures the rest of the heat shield experiences.  Cavity design is the key apparently, not necessarily great cavity depth.
Not well described - sorry, but hopefully you get the picture.
Cheers.

Edit:  sorry, forgot was an update thread.

[Ben the Space Brit]

I asked sometime back about those attachment points and what material they were made from as they aren't PICAX and yet are right in the heat of the plasma flow during reentry. I don't think I received a definitive answer. Anyone?

I think they're probably painted onto the PICA-X.

FWIW, I understand that the attach points are on top of the where the Dragonrider landing pads will be located.

[Lars_J]

I asked sometime back about those attachment points and what material they were made from as they aren't PICAX and yet are right in the heat of the plasma flow during reentry. I don't think I received a definitive answer. Anyone?

I think they're probably painted onto the PICA-X.

What?!? Are you seriously suggesting that the capsule is structurally supported by something "painted on the PICA-X". Even when told otherwise by several people?

[IRobot]

Doesn't carbon-carbon support reentry temperatures?

[renclod]

I think they're probably painted onto the PICA-X.

http://www.spacex.com/assets/img/20101001_dragonc1.jpg

http://www.spacex.com/assets/img/20100506_shieldassembly.jpg

compression pad with tension tie going through it, x6
not " painted "
same with Apollo, Orion

Apollo pix from web:

[pippin]

Ah. So the ties are simply too small to create a heat transfer the structure can't dissipate.

Also found that other thread now
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22041.300

[oiorionsbelt]

Thanks for all this guys and the link to the previous discussion.

[Space Pete]

Some new Dragon images up at the KSC Media Gallery.

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=225

[Lars_J]

Good find! Here are some more of the fairing unpack/install, in higher resolution:

[Ben the Space Brit]

I asked sometime back about those attachment points and what material they were made from as they aren't PICAX and yet are right in the heat of the plasma flow during reentry. I don't think I received a definitive answer. Anyone?

I think they're probably painted onto the PICA-X.

What?!? Are you seriously suggesting that the capsule is structurally supported by something "painted on the PICA-X". Even when told otherwise by several people?

No, and if you had bothered to read the rest of the post, you would have seen what I actually think is supporting the capsule.  If those are indeed the location points of the landing pads, then they will likely be directly below the structural load points that are intended to support the entire spacecraft during landing.

[padrat]

Some good pics in that group. The NASA photographers were in the hanger a lot the past couple weeks

[Lars_J]

Are you seriously suggesting that the capsule is structurally supported by something "painted on the PICA-X". Even when told otherwise by several people?

No, and if you had bothered to read the rest of the post, you would have seen what I actually think is supporting the capsule.  If those are indeed the location points of the landing pads, then they will likely be directly below the structural load points that are intended to support the entire spacecraft during landing.

So exactly what was "painted on" then?

[Lars_J]

Some good pics in that group. The NASA photographers were in the hanger a lot the past couple weeks

Padrat, are the people doing the dragon prep a separate group from the Falcon/pad people? Or was this a "all hands on deck" activity?

[padrat]

We tend to separate into our groups (Dragon, 1st Stage, etc.) But we can go to other groups anytime to help out if needed. In this case it was pretty much all Dragon people, some from Cali...

[Robotbeat]

We tend to separate into our groups (Dragon, 1st Stage, etc.) But we can go to other groups anytime to help out if needed. In this case it was pretty much all Dragon people, some from Cali...

I followed some of those SpaceX Cali folks on Twitter. They're pretty weird, heh.

[Jason1701]

We tend to separate into our groups (Dragon, 1st Stage, etc.) But we can go to other groups anytime to help out if needed. In this case it was pretty much all Dragon people, some from Cali...

I followed some of those SpaceX Cali folks on Twitter. They're pretty weird, heh.

Can you link to your favorite accounts?

[Ben the Space Brit]

Are you seriously suggesting that the capsule is structurally supported by something "painted on the PICA-X". Even when told otherwise by several people?

No, and if you had bothered to read the rest of the post, you would have seen what I actually think is supporting the capsule.  If those are indeed the location points of the landing pads, then they will likely be directly below the structural load points that are intended to support the entire spacecraft during landing.

So exactly what was "painted on" then?

The red marks - they're just visual aiming guides added on to the surface for the convenience of the integration crew.  If I'm right, then the real meat of the load supporting would be the  structural framework underlying the PICA-X tiles.

[Lars_J]

So exactly what was "painted on" then?

The red marks - they're just visual aiming guides added on to the surface for the convenience of the integration crew.  If I'm right, then the real meat of the load supporting would be the  structural framework underlying the PICA-X tiles.

Take a closer look at the image renclod posted a few posts back: http://www.spacex.com/assets/img/20100506_shieldassembly.jpg

[cordor]

Anyone remember I said Dragon's GNC bay has some kind of secret, they always cover it when taking pictures at close range or high res, If they couldn't cover it , they don't show that side in photo.

[Robotbeat]

They don't want to screw up the grapple fixture DragonEye, persumably.

[Lars_J]

Yep, I would think it is more to protect against damaging the dragon-eye, star trackers, and other instruments.

Here is a great shot from ISS that shows what is in the bay: (very high res)

[padrat]

Its covered for cleanliness

[alexterrell]

Some good pics in that group. The NASA photographers were in the hanger a lot the past couple weeks

They need to get the workers behind the capsule. As it is, it looks really small. 

[JBF]

Anyone know when they will begin loading cargo?

[padrat]

Prob early to mid Feb

[Chris Bergin]

Short article, more to do with preparing for SpaceX's release of some root cause issue and the new sat deal.

(As opposed to just writing up the presser).

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/01/spacex-win-contract-ahead-crs-2-mission/

[jacqmans]

Good article Chris, Thanks,

Do we know when the FRR is ??

[Chris Bergin]

Thanks Jacques. I'll check the for the FRR, but per L2's CRS-2/SpX-2 update thread (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30259.0). Falcon 9 will undergo a hotfire on Feb 22.

FRR will be shortly after that, per previous flows.

[mr. mark]

Thanks for the hotfire update. Looks like we will have two hotfires this month Orbital's Antares and SpaceX's Falcon 9.

[Space Pete]

From astronaut Greg "Box" Johnson (@Astro_Box) via Twitter:

"At the cape during Dragon cargo load out. Space X team poses at the base of Falcon 9 - in prep for a March 1 launch."

NASA Astronaut Suni Williams - who returned from the ISS just this past November, and who flew in the CRS-1 Dragon  - is also visible in the pic.

[mr. mark]

I must be getting old. Most of these SpaceX employees look like they are right out of high school. Well if they can get the job done, that's all that matters. When I was their age I was working at a pizza parlour.

[LegendCJS]

NASA Astronaut Suni Williams ... who flew in the CRS-1 Dragon  ...

Maybe a re-phrasing is called for?

[padrat]

Most of the young ones are from Cali, here to help process. Most of the Florida hanger techs are around my age or older (former Delta, Atlas, Shuttle techs)

[ChefPat]

NASA Astronaut Suni Williams ... who flew in the CRS-1 Dragon  ...

Maybe a re-phrasing is called for?

The entire time the Dragon is in LEO it is flying. So is the ISS.

[JBF]

NASA Astronaut Suni Williams ... who flew in the CRS-1 Dragon  ...

Maybe a re-phrasing is called for?

The entire time the Dragon is in LEO it is flying. So is the ISS.

So are you in that picture padrat?

[padrat]

Nope. I think that photo was taken around midnight. I was gone already. Most of the people working second shift are Cali's, hence why they all look young...

[Chris Bergin]

We know this, but it's still nice to see it's holding per NASA level:

MEDIA ADVISORY: M13-029

NASA TARGETS MARCH 1 LAUNCH FOR NEXT SPACEX STATION RESUPPLY MISSION; MEDIA ACCREDITATION OPEN

HOUSTON -- NASA and its international partners are targeting Friday,
March 1, as the launch date for the next cargo resupply flight to the
International Space Station by Space Exploration Technologies
(SpaceX), designated CRS-2.

Launch is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. EST (9:10 a.m. CST) from Space
Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

Media accreditation to view the launch is open. International media
without U.S. citizenship must apply for credentials to cover the
prelaunch and launch activities by noon on Monday, Feb. 18. For U.S.
media, the deadline to apply is Monday, Feb. 25.

Questions about accreditation may be directed to Jennifer Horner at
NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 321-867-6598 or
321-867-2468. All media accreditation requests must be submitted
online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

NASA also is inviting 50 social media users to apply for credentials
for the launch. Social media users selected to attend will be given
the same access as journalists. All social media accreditation
applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Registration
for social media accreditation is open online. International social
media users without U.S. citizenship must apply for credentials by 5
p.m. EST Friday, Feb. 15, to qualify. For U.S. social media, the
deadline to apply is 5 p.m. EST Friday, Feb. 22. For more information
about NASA social media accreditation requirements and to register,
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/social

SpaceX's Dragon capsule will be filled with about 1,200 pounds of
supplies for the space station crew and experiments being conducted
aboard the orbiting laboratory.

On March 2, Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford and Flight Engineer Tom
Marshburn of NASA will use the station's robot arm to grapple Dragon
following its rendezvous with the station. They will attach the
Dragon to the Earth-facing port of the station's Harmony module for a
few weeks while astronauts unload cargo. They then will load
experiment samples for return to Earth.

Dragon is scheduled to return to Earth on March 25 for a
parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of
Baja California. It will be bringing back more than 2,300 pounds of
experiment samples and equipment.

To follow the mission and for more information about the International
Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

[mr. mark]

Any hotfire date yet? I heard it may move to the right slightly.

[jacqmans]

Any hotfire date yet? I heard it may move to the right slightly.

As seen in L2 its Feb. 25 now.....

[StephenB]

Here's a different report claiming the 22nd for both dragon and antares: Hot-firing tests of Antares and Falcon 9 + Commercial space rescuing NASA. No idea which is correct.

[mr. mark]

Old report from yesterday. Things seem to be changing fast which is a norm for hotfires. SpaceX now on for the 25th. Orbital is a go so far for the 22nd.

[padrat]

Yeah the dates have done a lot of jumping back and forth. The original dates were the last that I'd heard..

[mr. mark]

Things seem to be getting confusing. Are you saying that the 22nd is still on? Well, it seems unless SpaceX actually posts a link we won't see their hotfire either. I know there is interest.

[Jason1701]

Things seem to be getting confusing. Are you saying that the 22nd is still on? Well, it seems unless SpaceX actually posts a link we won't see their hotfire either. I know there is interest.

L2 doesn't lie. 25th.

[Space Pete]

Don't think this pic have been posted yet. Dragon on the 19th,

Any comments from @padrat

That pic is from ages ago. It was originally posted at the KSC media gallery.

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=225

[psloss]

James Dean w/Florida Today tweeted a link to a cargo manifest:
https://mobile.twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/304675684251496448

Edit, also linked here:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html

[manboy]

James Dean w/Florida Today tweeted a link to a cargo manifest:
https://mobile.twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/304675684251496448

Edit, also linked here:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html

Thanks.

Total Up Cargo: 575 kilograms / 1268 pounds
Total Up Cargo+Packaging: 677 kilograms / 1493 pounds

Total Down Cargo: 1210 kilograms / 2668 pounds
Total Down Cargo+Packaging: 1370 kilograms / 3020 pounds

[Chris Bergin]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M13-037

NASA COVERAGE SET FOR MARCH 1 SPACEX MISSION TO SPACE STATION

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second SpaceX mission to the International
Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract is
scheduled to launch Friday, March 1, from Space Launch Complex 40 at
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA Television coverage
begins at 8:30 a.m. EST.

The company's Falcon 9 rocket carrying its Dragon cargo capsule will
lift off at 10:10 a.m. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is
available on March 2 with launch time at 9:47 a.m. and NASA TV
coverage beginning at 8 a.m.

The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to
resupply the space station. It will mark the third trip by a Dragon
capsule to the orbiting laboratory, following a demonstration flight
in May 2012 and the first resupply mission in October 2012.

The capsule will be filled with more than 1,200 pounds of scientific
experiments and cargo. It will remain attached to the space station's
Harmony module for more than three weeks. The Dragon capsule will
splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California on
March 25, returning more than 2,300 pounds of experiment samples and
equipment, which will be recovered for examination by scientists and
engineers.

In advance of the launch, NASA will host a briefing on NASA's human
deep-space exploration progress at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the
agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On Thursday, Feb. 28, NASA
will host a mission science briefing at 1 p.m. and a prelaunch news
conference at 3 p.m. All three briefings will be carried live on NASA
TV and the agency's website.

[Chris Bergin]

By the way, Pete Harding will have a long article for CRS-2 at the weekend. I'll include the lovely mission patch L2's CRS-2 area has acquired too.

[corrodedNut]

By the way, Pete Harding will have a long article for CRS-2 at the weekend. I'll include the lovely mission patch L2's CRS-2 area has acquired too.

They've kept the four leaf clover.

[oiorionsbelt]

  Oh boy that is seriously phallic. If the F9 protruded much further the forum filter would censor it.

[Space Pete]

By the way, Pete Harding will have a long article for CRS-2 at the weekend. I'll include the lovely mission patch L2's CRS-2 area has acquired too.

They've kept the four leaf clover.

That's SpaceX's mission patch - L2 has the NASA patch for the mission (which will be released in my article later today). I can reveal however that no clover is present.

(See below, seen as it's been released):

[mr. mark]

Nice patch from both SpaceX and NASA! So on the NASA patch we can see the trunk with it's cargo and what is that exactly?

[Space Pete]

Nice patch from both SpaceX and NASA! So on the NASA patch we can see the trunk with it's cargo and what is that exactly?

Those are the two Heat Rejection Subsystem Grapple Fixtures (HRSGFs) - grapple bars to be attached to the ISS radiators in order to aid in their handling in a future repair/replace scenario.

[Chris Bergin]

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/

[Chris Bergin]

Party thread for CRS-2/SpX-2:

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

[Galactic Penguin SST]

ahem 

[Ben the Space Brit]

I presume we're on the countdown to the WDR/Hotfire now.  What's the estimated t=0?

[Norm38]

I presume we're on the countdown to the WDR/Hotfire now.  What's the estimated t=0?

In a few minutes.  10:10am EST, per the party thread.  SpaceX webcast page doesn't show anything.
EDIT:  Ignore this.

[ugordan]

In a few minutes.  10:10am EST, per the party thread. 

That's the instantaneous launch opportunity on March 1, not T-0 for the static fire.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Per a source on L2, it will probably happen early afternoon EST.

[Chris Bergin]

Been told it's 1:30pm Eastern for the T-0.

[corrodedNut]

Falcon 9 is vertical, live on AE Video 2:

http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/

[Hunts Villain]

Vehicle loaded

[Prober]

Falcon 9 is vertical, live on AE Video 2:

http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/

on the bright side but you can make it out.

[corrodedNut]

on the bright side but you can make it out.

I can't tell if the strongback has been retracted, can anyone confirm?

[Jason1701]

on the bright side but you can make it out.

I can't tell if the strongback has been retracted, can anyone confirm?

Yes, comparing to a screenshot in L2.

[Chris Bergin]

Vehicle loaded

Cool and I make it T-5 mins for the T-0.

[R7]

Thar she blows

[ugordan]

I saw water deluge and ignition, but couldn't tell if it was full duration or not.

[Space Pete]

Saw it on the feed - hot fire did occur.

[Jason1701]

Did anyone screen record it?

[R7]

Is there any other feed than this overexposed 320x200 57 HIF N cam? something puffed, did not see flames

[butters]

Looked like a nominal static fire to me, exhaust was coming out the flame trench for at least two seconds.

[Prober]

Did anyone screen record it?

[R7]

Looks like the strong back is up again.

(weird soundtrack on the video feed, crank volume really loud to hear it)

[ugordan]

Ignition at 2:20.

[paycom]

Looks like the strong back is up again.

(weird soundtrack on the video feed, crank volume really loud to hear it)

Seems like a radio broadcast from the Orlando area...

Shortly after the test, some Falcon related comm could be heard on the KSC audio feed. Didn't make much senseto me, but i guess I heard something like "Falcon 9, falcon base: good job".

[StephenB]

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

[apace]

Press Kit for CRS2

[Robotbeat]

Press Kit for CRS2

No link to pdf?

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

[Chris Bergin]

SpaceX PAO:

On Monday, February 25, 2013 at 1:30 PM ET, SpaceX conducted a successful static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket, in advance of a targeted March mission to the International Space Station.  The nine-engine test took place at the company's Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as part of a full launch dress rehearsal leading up to SpaceX CRS-2, the second official cargo resupply mission under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract.

During the static fire test today, SpaceX engineers ran through all countdown processes as though it were launch day. All nine engines fired at full power for two seconds, while the Falcon 9 was held down to the pad. SpaceX will now conduct a thorough review of all data and continue preparations for Friday's targeted launch.

The first launch opportunity for CRS-2 is currently scheduled for 10:10 AM ET on Friday, March 1.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Oooh! 

NASA Kennedy / KSC ‏@NASAKennedy
The weather forecast is 90 percent favorable for the launch of the SpaceX at 10:10 a.m. EST Mar. 1 from SLC-40 at CCAFS.

[Ben the Space Brit]

Oooh! 

NASA Kennedy / KSC ‏@NASAKennedy
The weather forecast is 90 percent favorable for the launch of the SpaceX at 10:10 a.m. EST Mar. 1 from SLC-40 at CCAFS.

Good news.  It looks like the only thing now standing in the way of a launch on schedule is an unforseen technical problem (as always).

[Space Pete]

It looks like the only thing now standing in the way of a launch on schedule is an unforseen technical problem (as always).

Keep an eye on the two SIGIs on ISS - both of them being operational is a Dragon LCC (Launch Commit Criteria). One of them locked up last week.

See GPS-1 and GPS-2 on ISSLive!:
http://spacestationlive.jsc.nasa.gov/displays/adcoDisplay4.html

[Ian]

For those guys who like a little bit more details on the weather:

http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070716-028.pdf

[Galactic Penguin SST]

I don't think this photo has been posted before here.

 
SpaceX ‏@SpaceX
[PHOTO] Falcon 9 and #Dragon had successful static fire in prep for Mar 1 launch, all 9 engines fired nearly 2 sec! pic.twitter.com/ZVvd54DpB7

[jacqmans]

Media Events & Activities
 
Thursday, Feb 28

Prelaunch News Conference (3pm – 4pm)
 KSC TV Auditorium; live on NASA TV
 
Pad Photo opportunity (5pm – 6pm) &

Remote camera setup from UCS3 (6pm – 7pm)
 Media must arrive at the Press Site by 4 p.m.; buses depart at 4:30 p.m.
 
Friday, March 1
 Satellite trucks depart for causeway
 8am
 
Causeway launch viewing
 Media must arrive by 8am; buses depart at 8:30 a.m.
 

[nlec]

I don't think this photo has been posted before here.

 
SpaceX ‏@SpaceX
[PHOTO] Falcon 9 and #Dragon had successful static fire in prep for Mar 1 launch, all 9 engines fired nearly 2 sec! pic.twitter.com/ZVvd54DpB7

Interesting, Dragon sitting on the stack for hotfire.  Last time I recall that Dragon was not there for SPX-1 hotfire.

[Borklund]

Just posted on SpaceX's YouTube channel:

[Space Pete]

Some new processing pics now up at SpaceX's CRS-2 Zenfolio gallery:

http://spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com/p190296859/h568eba0e#h568eba0e

http://spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com/p190296859/h568ea486#h568ea486

http://spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com/p190296859/h568eae68#h568eae68

[Chris Bergin]

The CRS-2/SpX-2 Mission Special Section now live for L2 members.

[Joffan]

Just posted on SpaceX's YouTube channel:

By my count that's a five-second hotfire, unless the video editing has added time in.

[ugordan]

By my count that's a five-second hotfire

No, it's not. You must be counting the engine shutdown flameout into the "burn".

[AnalogMan]

Weather Still "Go" for Friday's SpaceX Launch
Wed, 27 Feb 2013 04:32:52 PM GMT

The weather forecast remains 90 percent favorable for Friday's launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft at 10:10 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Winds will be gusting from the northwest at launch time, but are expected to stay below the launch constraint limit.

Friday's launch coverage will begin at 8:30 a.m. on NASA TV and the NASA launch blog www.nasa.gov/spacex.

[Chris Bergin]

NASA ‏@NASA
Following @SpaceX review, Falcon 9 and #Dragon are GO for Friday 10:10amET launch to #ISS.

[Silmfeanor]

From SpaceX facebook:

SpaceX managers held Launch Readiness Review today, confirmed Falcon 9 and Dragon are GO for launch! Looking good in the hangar as well.

Watch on Friday at www.spacex.com/webcast

[manboy]

I don't think this photo has been posted before here.

 
SpaceX ‏@SpaceX
[PHOTO] Falcon 9 and #Dragon had successful static fire in prep for Mar 1 launch, all 9 engines fired nearly 2 sec! pic.twitter.com/ZVvd54DpB7

Interesting, Dragon sitting on the stack for hotfire.  Last time I recall that Dragon was not there for SPX-1 hotfire.

You are correct.

[corrodedNut]

Payload (GLACIER) processing photos at KSC Media gallery:

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=225

[Chris Bergin]

Remember folks we'll be going to a new live thread for launch day/FD-1 either late tonight or early in the morning. This is the nearest we get to Shuttle mission coverage - if less intense - so it's all rather exciting. (no need to respond)

[mr. mark]

NASA will be holding a  SPX-2 preflight press briefing at 3pm eastern in about 45 minutes.

3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT), NASA will hold a press conference to discuss the launch readiness of the private spaceflight company SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon space capsule headed to the International Space Station.

Mike Suffredini, NASA program manager, International Space Station, Johnson Space Center
Gwynne Shotwell, president, SpaceX
Joel Tumbiolo, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

Off we go.

[Chris Bergin]

[Chris Bergin]

Suff notes a lot of work to config ISS for Dragon arrival - and the comm loss /software upgrade.

Over one million lines of code updated. RWS is up and configured. SSRMS in position for grapple. CUCU activated.

Dragon up with six crew. Down with three.

Research coming up on Dragon, and returning on the same vehicle.

[Chris Bergin]

SpaceX are ready for the second operational mission.

Late load ops started - 24 hours prior to launch. L-8 hours for the last cargo.

(Lists the events for the ride uphill, but you all know that stuff )

Quick mission to berth, less than 24 hours.

Can go as low as 200x200nms if they have an engine issue.

Grapple bars in the trunk as the first unpressed cargo.

[Chris Bergin]

Minor issues for weather. Mostly looking good. Cloud cover is the main issue (thick cloud rule).

[Chris Bergin]

"It's only going to be 60 degrees" (people laugh, including me!)

[Borklund]

Did I just hear Gwynne Shotwell say that CRS-3 would be the first flight for Falcon 9 v1.1? Like, first overall flight?

[ugordan]

Did I just hear Gwynne Shotwell say that CRS-3 would be the first flight for Falcon 9 v1.1? Like, first overall flight?

First *CRS* flight.

[Jason1701]

Did I just hear Gwynne Shotwell say that CRS-3 would be the first flight for Falcon 9 v1.1? Like, first overall flight?

No, first Dragon flight on 1.1.

Finally some more information about the CRS-1 anomaly. There was a material problem in the jacket that went undetected, leading to the combustion chamber losing pressure.

"Late June" MDA flight.

2-3 GTO 1.1 flights from Cape before CRS-3.

[Chris Bergin]

Questions.

Late fall for CRS-3. Will be on the new F9.

No secondary payloads.

Engine 1 issue: Material flaw in the jacket on Engine 1, leading to a breach and a decompression of the engine, commanded shutdown. State Dept dealing with the detailed report, so can't say much due to ITAR. Isn't comfortable talking about it. Did a lot of NDE testing.

[mr. mark]

Did I just hear right 5-6 flights this year?

[Borklund]

Did I just hear Gwynne Shotwell say that CRS-3 would be the first flight for Falcon 9 v1.1? Like, first overall flight?

First *CRS* flight.

No, first Dragon flight on 1.1.

Finally some more information about the CRS-1 anomaly. There was a material problem in the jacket that went undetected, leading to the combustion chamber losing pressure.

Right, yeah, I heard wrong.

Journo just asked the question I would've loved to ask re: first v1.1 flight and Gwynne said that the first v1.1 flight would probably be "end of first half of this year, late june" to be "followed by 2 GTO flights [..] before CRS-3" with the possibility of another one later this year (after CRS-3?). So... 5-6 flights this year?

[ugordan]

Did I just here right 5-6 flights this year?

Yes, but remember this is Shotwell talking...

[Chris Bergin]

If solar arrays fail they may have enough battery power to make one berthing attempt.

More CRS-1 engine 1 failure questions. NASA get to see all SpaceX's info, even if it's ITAR, Proprietary etc. Suff agrees with SpaceX's conclusions, resulting in a go to fly. They accept the risk.

Political stuff about cuts. Won't impact SpaceX's work, but "it's not up to me, it's up to my customer". Suff says they won't change their plans.

[manboy]

Lots of good questions.

Payload for this mission may almost be the max for Falcon 9 v1.0.

[Chris Bergin]

Gwen doesn't really want to talk about the loss of one flight computer on CRS-1. Radiation tolerant, but can have faults. Doesn't want to say why they decided not to re-sync the computer.

Water intrusion caused an issue with a GLACIER. Samples were fine despite the temp loss of power.

Gwen now saying budget reductions would impact on their Commercial Crew milestones, such as launch abort reviews. Don't know until the funding is known.

[Jason1701]

F9 is visible horizontal at the pad on KSC cam AE 2.

http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/

mms://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/ae%20video%20channel%202 in VLC - so you can change contrast

[manboy]

Grapple fixtures are 273 kg.

[Chris Bergin]

Yay, it's Philip, for us!

Suff loves his question "That's an excellent question" I kinda missed it the question due to personal excitement....we'll check back on the recording.

[Chris Bergin]

Suff says they will soon start flying rodents on Dragon.

[Jason1701]

Yay, it's Philip, for us!

Suff loves his question "That's an excellent question" I kinda missed it the question due to personal excitement....we'll check back on the recording.

He wanted to know where on the truss the grapple bars go.

[Chris Bergin]

Apparently Elon swore in joy at being awarded the COTS contract.

Question about how great SpaceX's launch vehicle record is......ok then Suff pretty good with the answer, saying they have followed SpaceX closely, but if this was a NASA vehicle he can't say if they would be flying again right now, but he's happy.

Vandenberg might be ready within a month. Built the site very quickly.

Merlin 1D is not susceptible to the issue seen on CRS-1.

[Chris Bergin]

Upmass and downmass being mentioned again. Reminds us about how tiny it is compared to Shuttle.

Suff notes CDRA bed hardware is a critical element going up.

Twitter member asking of F9 can take up other stuff other than Dragon........and can F9 carry humans....................................

Guy pictured asked about engine config change between the upgrade to F9, which was a pretty good question.

Vandenberg is designed to cope with both F9 and FH. Not sure about the schedule for FH yet.

SpaceX are not in partnership with Tito's Mars Inspiration, but if he has the money, she'll be happy to if he gets the money.

[Jason1701]

Says SpaceX has fully powered up used Dragons and the electronics work perfectly.

[manboy]

Won't say what the initial payload of Falcon Heavy will be.

Talks about re-using capsules.

[Chris Bergin]

New Dragon per NASA mission, but they are looking to sell used Dragon's to other customers. Have tested them when they've come back and they work fine.

A strange question about the engine 1 failure, no idea what Irene was asking, but it seems it was about restrictions on the issue.

Gwen says she needs to work with the State Dept. She doesn't want to go to jail

Lost no customers as a result of CRS-1 issue. Says they won all the contracts for customers in their class.. "BOOOM" (she did that!)

Presser over.

[mr. mark]

Ok 5 flights this year and the possibility of Inspiration Mars. Wow, if they pull that off, it's gonna be a good year!

[manboy]

New Dragon per NASA mission, but they are looking to sell used Dragon's to other customers. Have tested them when they've come back and they work fine.

I believe they also mentioned possibly re-using them for NASA missions.

[peter-b]

Let's stick to updates, folks.

[corrodedNut]

SpaceX are ready for the second operational mission.

Late load ops started - 24 hours prior to launch. L-8 hours for the last cargo.

(Lists the events for the ride uphill, but you all know that stuff )

Quick mission to berth, less than 24 hours.

Can go as low as 200x200nms if they have an engine issue.

Grapple bars in the trunk as the first unpressed cargo.

At this point in the briefing, Shotwell also stated that the grapple bars-to-trunk payload interface was designed and built by SpaceX, as well as the grapple bar "bundlers", which will stay on the ISS after Dragon departs.

[Comga]

Grapple fixtures are 273 kg.

Each or combined?
Does that include the hardware that will be left in the trunk?

[manboy]

Lots of images of the hot fire test were just uploaded. Here are a few.

http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=225

[jacqmans]

Falcon 9 and Dragon rolled out from the hangar, looking pretty on the pad! Launch targeted tomorrow morning at 10:10AM ET / 7:10AM PT. Watch LIVE at www.spacex.com/webcast.

[John44]

SpaceX/Dragon-2 - Pre-Launch Readiness Briefing
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8100

[manboy]

Grapple fixtures are 273 kg.

Each or combined?
Does that include the hardware that will be left in the trunk?

It sounded like she meant the 273 kg was the combined mass of the HRSGFs.

[king1999]

Grapple fixtures are 273 kg.

Each or combined?
Does that include the hardware that will be left in the trunk?

It sounded like she meant the 273 kg was the combined mass of the HRSGFs.

She also said packaging hardware in the trunk an extra 100kg.

[jacqmans]

From NASA's Kennedy Space Center facebook page....

[jacqmans]

All is "Go" for Friday Morning's Launch
Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:51:00 PM UTC+0100


"We're about to launch and we're happy to be here," said Mike Suffredini, NASA program manager for International Space Station at Johnson Space Center, as he kicked off the Falcon 9 prelaunch press conference. "Quite a bit of work has been done by the SpaceX and ISS teams to get here. We've spent a few weeks getting the station ready."

Joel Tumbiolo, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, reported that the weather still remains 80 percent favorable for the 10:10 a.m. EST liftoff. The only concern would be a slight chance of wind or cloud violations.

"Very excited to be back here. We're a launch company and we love to launch," said Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX. "We're prepared to fly."

Tomorrow's launch coverage starts at 8:30 a.m. on NASA TV, www.nasa.gov/ntv and the NASA blog www.nasa.gov/spacex.

The mission is the second of 12 SpaceX flights contracted by NASA to resupply the International Space Station. It will mark the third trip by a Dragon capsule to the orbiting laboratory, following a demonstration flight in May 2012 and the first resupply mission in October 2012.

[manboy]

The band 'Thirty Seconds To Mars' to send their new single into space

[manboy]

SpaceX/Dragon-2 - Pre-Launch Readiness Briefing
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8100

Now on youtube

[Fuji]

SpaceX 2 Cargo Manifest (93 KB PDF)
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/729030main_spacex_2_cargo_manifest.pdf

I can't find HRSGF mass 

[oiorionsbelt]

SpaceX 2 Cargo Manifest (93 KB PDF)
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/729030main_spacex_2_cargo_manifest.pdf

I can't find HRSGF mass 

We tried to figure it out from the information in the video above your post.

Edit: starting at 29:40

[joek]

Per Shotwell's comments (her "doing math in public" statement):
1050kg total up-mass (stated)
Would suggest:
677kg pressurized (published)
273kg HRSGFs (stated)
100kg support for HRSGF (stated/implied)

There appears to be some question as to whether the 273kg figure is inclusive, or whether there is an additional ~100kg for the hardware to attach the HRSGFs to the ISS (which Shotwell also suggested, altho hard to tell).  If Shotwell's 1050kg total is correct, 273kg is inclusive.

Speculation beyond that is probably best discussed in the SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon CRS SpX-2 MISSION GENERAL DISCUSSION thread.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Don't think these three photos from today have been posted yet.

And I think the Falcon 9 is now being rotated to the vertical position (from the video cams at http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/).

[Chris Bergin]

Huge launch day article by William Graham.

I've got to set up the launch day thread (and there's no point opening it until the morning) so posting it here:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/03/spacex-milestone-falcon9-launch-dragon-crs2/

Seriously, that's a lot of info, so get it retweeted and shared etc. No excuses.

[Chris Bergin]

Launch day thread is now on. Locked as a placeholder until the updates start arriving:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31239.0

[jcm]

Per Shotwell's comments (her "doing math in public" statement):
1050kg total up-mass (stated)
Would suggest:
677kg pressurized (published)
273kg HRSGFs (stated)
100kg support for HRSGF (stated/implied)

There appears to be some question as to whether the 273kg figure is inclusive, or whether there is an additional ~100kg for the hardware to attach the HRSGFs to the ISS (which Shotwell also suggested, altho hard to tell).  If Shotwell's 1050kg total is correct, 273kg is inclusive.

Speculation beyond that is probably best discussed in the SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon CRS SpX-2 MISSION GENERAL DISCUSSION thread.

If 1050 is correct, 273 is *exclusive* of the attach h/w since 677+273+100 = 1050

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Just in:

Elon Musk ‏@elonmusk
Computer glitch found by @SpaceX avionics while bench testing on IM. Couldn't replicate on vehicle. Launch proceeding...

Phew. 

[padrat]

Clearing the pad. Now time to rack out for a few hours...

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Per the press kit, LOX and RP-1 loading should be completed right about this moment - can anyone confirm this?

[FinalFrontier]

Per the press kit, LOX and RP-1 loading should be completed right about this moment - can anyone confirm this?

Venting is visible in stills on ELV-02AE cams so yes either loading is in progress or completed. Although it was very slight.


As I will not be available during launch today, I wish Spacex and NASA god speed on today's flight.

[ugordan]

Per the press kit, LOX and RP-1 loading should be completed right about this moment - can anyone confirm this?

I see no venting whatsoever on AE-3, the T/E still has a grip on the vehicle so I'm going to go with a "no" on the LOX load.

[FinalFrontier]

Per the press kit, LOX and RP-1 loading should be completed right about this moment - can anyone confirm this?

I see no venting whatsoever on AE-3, the T/E still has a grip on the vehicle so I'm going to go with a "no" on the LOX load.

Try AE-2 there was some slight white puffs near the vents. Although its really hard to tell given the sunlight.

I don't think, if it is being loaded atm, that its full in any sense so its not complete.

[Chris Bergin]

Okay dokey, on to the live launch day thread as things will start picking up now

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31239.0