The CRS-3/SpX-3 - Dragon, Suit Up! - Party Thread

[Prober]

In the post briefing Gerst said they, with their P3,  wanted to study F9's hypersonic to transonic retro-propulsion methods because it was applicable to Mars EDL. (I am sure China and Russia are also intrigued.) I am confused on the legalities of it. It did not come across to me as a joint P3 mission but a sole NASA initiative. Why would NASA want an independent data collection mission outside of SpaceX? Who has the rights to the IP and is not SpaceX and NASA/JPL working closely with each other? Who is helping whom and paying for it?

Sounds like someone has been selling the Red Dragon.

[Garrett]

In the post briefing Gerst said they, with their P3,  wanted to study F9's hypersonic to transonic retro-propulsion methods because it was applicable to Mars EDL. (I am sure China and Russia are also intrigued.) I am confused on the legalities of it. It did not come across to me as a joint P3 mission but a sole NASA initiative. Why would NASA want an independent data collection mission outside of SpaceX? Who has the rights to the IP and is not SpaceX and NASA/JPL working closely with each other? Who is helping whom and paying for it?

Sounds like someone has been selling the Red Dragon.

Probably more for this: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/ldsd/

NASA probably requires specific scientific data to be aquired using special equipment so that they can extrapolate a F9R reentry to that of a Mars entry. It's not surprising that they need to have their own plane to get that data.

[meekGee]

Shorter translation:

Yon rocket done splashed 'erself wit' bilgewater 'n' heaved anchor lookin' like a wench what bunked in a pig waller.

Prolly the funniest post I've ever seen on this board.

Intentionally funny, that is.

[Halidon]

When the Red Sox win a home game, they play a certain tune from the PA. Considering a successful launch a "win" by SpaceX, maybe they should embrace the tradition:

[veblen]

Thanks to Targeteer's heads up on another thread I spied ISS from my backyard in Burlington Ontario a few minutes ago. So bright before it moved into earth's shadow! Could not spot Dragon, even tho equipped with big binocs.


Thanks again Targeteer!

[Antares]

or even quench an engine

You will be haunted by the ghost of Ernst Mach until you realize the invalidity of that statement.

[Antares]

I think my favorite part of that GIF has to be the umbilicals. Something so comical in the way they gracefully leap off the side of the vehicle.

Pretty much all the same on all LVs that have them.

[jeffchan]

Great pass of ISS with Dragon chasing over Phoenix tonight!  SAW flare equaled Jupiter in brightness. First time seeing Dragon in chase after many ISS/Shuttle sightings in the past. Looking forward to seeing what Easter eggs are packed for the crew tomorrow...

[Rocket Science]

Falcon seen walking on water.... An Easter miracle?

[go4mars]

Had this crazy dream that some African brothers; Nole and Labmik Ksum built a hypersonic intercontinental travel system.

[NovaSilisko]

I think my favorite part of that GIF has to be the umbilicals. Something so comical in the way they gracefully leap off the side of the vehicle.

Pretty much all the same on all LVs that have them.

Wasn't saying it was unique to falcon, it's just what stood out to me on that specific image.

[Barrie]

SpaceX are doing their own webcast of the berthing.  They haven't done that before , have they?  Maybe they are saving 1st stage news for this webcast...

[Mapperuo]

SpaceX are doing their own webcast of the berthing.  They haven't done that before , have they?  Maybe they are saving 1st stage news for this webcast...

They have, it's just a refeed of NASA TV - or atleast was last time.

[MP99]

or even quench an engine

You will be haunted by the ghost of Ernst Mach until you realize the invalidity of that statement.

Does that also apply to the GG exhausts? (I'd think so, just given the volume of exhaust gas?)

Also, given this was during engine startup (with GGs presumably firing up first), is it certain that the nozzles were under supersonic flow at the point they might first have seen some "blowback" if some of it was triggered by GG exhaust?

cheers, Martin

[Barrie]

SpaceX are doing their own webcast of the berthing.  They haven't done that before , have they?  Maybe they are saving 1st stage news for this webcast...

They have, it's just a refeed of NASA TV - or atleast was last time.

So it is!  Ho hum

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Welcome back to the ISS Dragon! You surely has been missed during the past 13 months..... 

Now make this a quarterly (or at least trimester) event instead of having to wait for 1 year, OK? 

[Thunderbird5]

It's good to see that SpaceX logo on station at last.

Now I can't wait to see those Easter Bunnies float out of the Dragon when they open the hatch

[Lar]

It's good to see that SpaceX logo on station at last.

Now I can't wait to see those Easter Bunnies float out of the Dragon when they open the hatch

Speaking of the logo, I have my new desktop background (for a while anyway)...
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=34518.msg1185858#msg1185858

Anyone have a better res version of that or similar?

Nice berthing!

[WindnWar]

Nice to see it berthed to the station, hope there are some goodies inside for the crew! All those freezers you'd hope they stashed a little ice cream on board. 

[John44]

=