SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon CRS-3 SpX-3 PROCESSING/Pre-LAUNCH UPDATES

[IRobot]

Well there's the leg, fairing, side latches, and toe!
A pretty slick looking package!
Also note the dragon logo on the solar panel fairings and perhaps on the beanie cap.

Ah! So there is a toe.Some weeks ago I asked about if it was a toe or simply an ejectable mini fairing and what was that gum drop over it. Any ideas?

[Kabloona]

Well there's the leg, fairing, side latches, and toe!
A pretty slick looking package!
Also note the dragon logo on the solar panel fairings and perhaps on the beanie cap.

Ah! So there is a toe.Some weeks ago I asked about if it was a toe or simply an ejectable mini fairing and what was that gum drop over it. Any ideas?

Yes, that question was discussed in the discussion thread. Let's keep this thread focused on updates, please.

[ugordan]

At the risk of being redundant, here's an even bigger image of the static test from their Twitter.

[Lars_J]

From the general discussion thread, a new angle of the legs:

[jacqmans]

From SpaceX

Engineers pack #Dragon for next mission to station, including cargo to support more than 150 investigations on the #ISS.

 One such experiment is OPALS (Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science), which will test the potential for using a laser to transmit data to Earth from space. Learn more about OPALS at http://1.usa.gov/1nokywQ and stay tuned here for more mission updates!

[Lars_J]

The KSC gallery has been updated with pictures showing the preparation of smaller payloads that will be packed inside the Dragon capsule:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm?cat=225

[wkann]

From @SpaceX:

"The Falcon 9 rocket in @SpaceX’s hangar at Cape Canaveral, preparing to launch #Dragon this Sunday for @NASA"

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Here's a higher resolution - great photo.

What's the guy on the left carrying?!

[Robotbeat]

looks like some sort of jig or arm that keeps the rocket in place, possibly fits over a leg.

[JBF]

It's a piece of one of the rings used to rotate the rocket.

[Stevenzop]

I realize this has been done to death, but despite the angle of the photo I swear that center engine sits lower than the others...

[matthewkantar]

Here's a higher resolution - great photo.

What's the guy on the left carrying?!

Not sure if you noticed, but the thing he is "carrying" is suspened from the overhead crane, he is guiding it.

Matthew

[Lars_J]

I realize this has been done to death, but despite the angle of the photo I swear that center engine sits lower than the others...

Yes, that has been confirmed a long time ago.

[AJW]

Interesting to see that you can work on rockets in your shorts and sneakers…. sign me up!

[mlindner]

Even higher resolution.

[mfck]

Are those kevlar sleeves around the (I presume) combustion chambers?

[sublimemarsupial]

Are those kevlar sleeves around the (I presume) combustion chambers?

I think they're heat resistant fabric sleeves used as part of the base TPS system for ascent and reentry. No idea what the fabrics might be though, I suppose its quite possible they have some kevlar in them.

[llanitedave]

The undersides of the legs appear to be shaped as air scoops, concentrating airflow and directing it  perpendicular to the rocket body.  That might be more effective than fins alone at that amount of extension.  Plus it adds more drag on the way down than on the way up.

[corrodedNut]

SpaceX update with photos: http://www.spacex.com/news/2014/03/11/upcoming-mission-falcon-9-and-dragon-launching-space-station

[Galactic Penguin SST]

SpaceX update with photos: http://www.spacex.com/news/2014/03/11/upcoming-mission-falcon-9-and-dragon-launching-space-station

<update mode> That seems to be the very first time the Falcon 9's 2nd stage-to-payload adaptor has been shown to the public...  </update mode>