Dragon v2 Kremlinology from Helodriver's unveiling pics

[MP99]

Many thanks to Helodriver for his many wonderful pics from the Dragon v2 unveiling. See:-

Great event, Attended in person. ... Attached are some pics.

Second image dump.

Image dump 3.

But, in particular, it looks like the pics of the pilot display mockup (copies re-attached below) give an opportunity for some Kremlinology about the design of Dragon itself. With obvious caveats that details may either be intentionally obfuscated, artistic licence, or etc, etc.

What are these thingies at the top of the trunk. 6 around the edges 4 sqarish one in the center and some small ones. I think they are new for V2, except maybe some of the small ones.

Some may be additional batteries to supplement those in the capsule, but that does not account for all.

V1 had little avionics in the trunk.

(See first two attached pics from the video)

In pic 360, under "Consumables", it lists:-
O2 Reserves 100%, with 5x status bars - I am presuming these are in-board to Dragon itself;
O2 Trunk 86%, with 4x status bars and indication that this is being drawn from for life support at 0.15kg/h;
Nitrox 100%, with 2x status bars

So, it seems reasonable to assume that four of the tanks pictured in the circumference of the trunk would be holding O2. And five further tanks on-board Dragon itself.

And perhaps the other two holding Nitrox? (Would this be nitrogen / oxygen mix for life support? Or, would that make sense to be discarded with the trunk before reentry?)


Some other things to note:-
4x Fuel and 4x Oxidiser gauges / tanks. This would make sense with the 4x pairs of SuperDracos (presumably feeding one engine each of an opposing pair, or something similar);
2x PSI measurements - perhaps for the H2 bottles (though the pressures look to be about 10x the 1,000 PSI that Elon mentioned);
6x Batteries;
8x Solar panels, with only three look like they're delivering power;
3x Computers (no news there).
4x Smoke Detectors

Various fans listed:-
3x Cabin, with 2x operating, Average 7900 RPM (RPM numbers are from pic 353)
3x Booster, with 1x operating, Avg 20000 RPM
1x Waste, operating, Avg 10500 RPM
3x Suite, none operating
2x Cargo, both operating, Avg 8450 RPM

While we believe that the trunk will have radiators like Dragon v1 (on the opposite side from the solar panels), I'm not sure I see anything on here which lists state of any cooling systems. Unless that's somehow related to the A/B indication above 'All Systems'?



The timeline (pic 353) looks standard enough, ground / TDRS / ISS LOS, eclipse, burns, crew activity.

Not sure how to interpret the vector diagram for the forthcoming burn (pic 360). "R" may be R-bar (towards/away from Earth?) Clear Schedule (pic 353) listing Ground, Crew & spacecraft events.

Overall, the displays look very good to my outsider's eye.

cheers, Martin

Edit: attachments!

[cartman]

Here is a screencap from the flight animation video, with a very interesting view of the buttons and switches under the monitors.

[jabe]

Here is a screencap from the flight animation video, with a very interesting view of the buttons and switches under the monitors.

I am curious if that was a sneak peek of Spacex's space suits.  I was hoping that he would unveil them last night as well.  was also hoping for a a video of a 7 "real" people in capsule..still a good show..
jb

[Jcc]

The thin seat legs got me thinking about impact absorbing crumple zones
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=34841.0;attach=586525

Airplane seats are required to absorb 32g at impact.
http://papers.sae.org/971458/

If the Dragonv2 seat legs can absorb that amount of acceleration, it avoids the need for Soyuz style custom fit couches.

[Helodriver]

The thin seat legs got me thinking about impact absorbing crumple zones
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=34841.0;attach=586525

Airplane seats are required to absorb 32g at impact.
http://papers.sae.org/971458/

If the Dragonv2 seat legs can absorb that amount of acceleration, it avoids the need for Soyuz style custom fit couches.

The seats were very interesting to see up close. They reminded me strongly of carbon fiber racing car seats.

The material is incredibly stiff and strong. There is zero flex or give in the seats themselves nor do they apparently adjust in size (not visibly anyway). To get in the top seats on the ground, you have to stand on the edge of one of the bottom seats and they did not flex, squeak  or sag at all from the weight or force of climbing.
The seat support struts are solid. No shock absorbers or springs. They do not appear to fold away after reaching orbit.

Based on the location and attachment of the restraints, I would be very surprised of a Soyuz style liner is meant to be used. There is good ergonomic fit and support when lying in them.

[R7]

Here's kremlinology guess of the trunk umbilical.

edit: revised per MP99/RonM's analysis
edit2: added InfraNut2's analysis. Guessing the connectors with larger pins have something to do with power (solar panel power in, driving solenoid valves in the trunk etc) and the thinner ones are for data.

[MP99]

Here's kremlinology guess of the trunk umbilical.

Good stuff. I wonder if these are used to power the vehicle / charge batteries?

cheers, Martin

[MP99]

Here's kremlinology guess of the trunk umbilical.

BTW, re those connectors:-

(Response moved from the event thread. AJA's question is re the un-annotated version of this pic.)

2. What are the different types of connectors shown in DSC08346?

Some of these look very similar to connectors used on Naim Audio equipment, which carry voltage (24V) and analogue audio signals. The ones they use are Metalok Bantam series now produced by FCI, but known by name of Burndy, which was a former producer. However, I believe these are a relatively standard industry connector. These look somewhat different (metal body rather than plastic), but similar.

The surrounding metal collar allows the cable to be locked in place, and there are tabs just inside the collar that ensure a cable can't be plugged in with incorrect clocking.

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/burndy

http://www.acoustica.org.uk/t/naim/powersupplies.html

http://www.soundscapehifi.com/used-hifi/albums/userpics/10001/naim-cds2-20110120-0008.jpg
http://www.kumadesign.com/PIX/NAIM/CD555/cd555back3.jpg
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/168658.pdf
http://uk.farnell.com/circular-without-contacts/series/metalok-bantam/pg/110160534

cheers, Martin

[R7]

However, I believe these are a relatively standard industry connector. These look somewhat different (metal body rather than plastic), but similar.

All those look like variants from US MIL-SPEC connectors. I have similar even in control cable from drilling machine to tractor cabin (plastic body though)

[dorkmo]

which engine is this? saw it in the background of the arstechnica pics

http://arstechnica.com/science/2014/05/spacex-shows-off-dragon-v2-its-brand-new-manned-space-capsule/#image-5

[R7]

Merlin 1D

[RonM]

Here's kremlinology guess of the trunk umbilical.

Based on MP99's analysis, I would say the bottom four fluid connectors are for the O₂ and two of the upper fluid connectors are for the nitrox, but what is the seventh fluid connector? Maybe it is H₂O, but I don't see a seventh tank in the trunk.

[llanitedave]

However, I believe these are a relatively standard industry connector. These look somewhat different (metal body rather than plastic), but similar.

All those look like variants from US MIL-SPEC connectors. I have similar even in control cable from drilling machine to tractor cabin (plastic body though)

They have to be quick disconnects, though.  They can't be threaded.

[Giovanni DS]

Would those connectors remain exposed during reentry? it looks like a dangerous place.

Giovanni

[InfraNut2]

Here's kremlinology guess of the trunk umbilical.

Based on MP99's analysis, I would say the bottom four fluid connectors are for the O₂ and two of the upper fluid connectors are for the nitrox, but what is the seventh fluid connector? Maybe it is H₂O, but I don't see a seventh tank in the trunk.

The tanks do not need separate umbilicals for each and every one.

The cooling radiators however are likely to have 2 separate loops for redundancy/reliability. That accounts for 4 fluid connectors.

So I guess the remaining 3 are: 1 for oxygen, 1 for air/nitrogen or whatever is in the remaining 2 tanks, while the third one is either (a) a second oxygen connector to provide more redundancy (in addition to in-capsule tanks), (b) reserved for unspecified future use or (c) reserved for another specific use (not propellant transfer unless some of the other uses are eliminated, since that would require 2 connectors).

Water supply in the trunk is unlikely since umbilicals and tanks are not well protected from freezing temperatures by the trunk and electrical heaters and additional tank insulation would be less optimal than just keeping the water in the already temperature-controlled capsule. You would also need a membrane and pressurant in the external water tank to push the water through the umbilical -- you cannot do it with suction.

edit: added the paragraph about water, plus some minor editing

[MP99]

However, I believe these are a relatively standard industry connector. These look somewhat different (metal body rather than plastic), but similar.

All those look like variants from US MIL-SPEC connectors. I have similar even in control cable from drilling machine to tractor cabin (plastic body though)

They have to be quick disconnects, though.  They can't be threaded.

Or, could the whole panel be discarded? Dragon v1 has a similar services tunnel to the trunk. Does anyone know how that disconnects?

Cheers, Martin

[D_Dom]

Please reconsider the naming of this thread, not sure that you have any intention of discussing the politics of a secretive society which is the closest mashup of "kremlinology" I can think of.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/Kremlinology
 Actually looks to me like you are discussing apparent details revealed by helodrivers images which could be very instructive to the readers. Informed speculation, SWAG, reverse engineering maybe but politics? Not so much.

[Remes]

However, I believe these are a relatively standard industry connector. These look somewhat different (metal body rather than plastic), but similar.

All those look like variants from US MIL-SPEC connectors. I have similar even in control cable from drilling machine to tractor cabin (plastic body though)

They have to be quick disconnects, though.  They can't be threaded.

Something like this.

http://www.souriau.com/fileadmin/Souriau/product_pdf/2007/8D8.pdf

http://www.souriau.com/range-presentation/mil-dtl-38999-series-platform/mil-dtl-38999-series-3-derived/8d9/

Please reconsider the naming of this thread, not sure that you have any intention of discussing the politics of a secretive society which is the closest mashup of "kremlinology" I can think of.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/Kremlinology
 Actually looks to me like you are discussing apparent details revealed by helodrivers images which could be very instructive to the readers.

Yes That's how I interprete it. Maybe the OP wanted to use the word "Gremlinology".

Would those connectors remain exposed during reentry? it looks like a dangerous place.

Apollo and Soyuz did/do it the same way.

---

Other question: The picture I have attached: The position labeled as X, would there be a solenoid which actuates the pintle or is it rather an external valve assembled to the thruster? Anywhere a picture with the whole assembly? (I'm even not sure if the draco is a pintle engine, but if my memory serves, yes).

Hires: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=34841.0;attach=586334;image

[MP99]

Please reconsider the naming of this thread, not sure that you have any intention of discussing the politics of a secretive society which is the closest mashup of "kremlinology" I can think of.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/Kremlinology
 Actually looks to me like you are discussing apparent details revealed by helodrivers images which could be very instructive to the readers. Informed speculation, SWAG, reverse engineering maybe but politics? Not so much.

Kremlinology originally came from that meaning.

However, it has now taken on another meaning - to try to guess hidden details or intentions by looking in from the outside. Given that the original Kremlinologist had a very poor record of success, it also accepts that it is impossible to be 100% correct in any conclusions we come to.

cheers, Martin

Edit: if you use the "search" function at the top of the page, it finds 37 usages of "kremlinology" on this forum.

[Nomadd]

However, I believe these are a relatively standard industry connector. These look somewhat different (metal body rather than plastic), but similar.

All those look like variants from US MIL-SPEC connectors. I have similar even in control cable from drilling machine to tractor cabin (plastic body though)

They have to be quick disconnects, though.  They can't be threaded.

Those are actually in between. They're not the fine threaded type that are so prone to being insufficiently tightened because the threads get sticky and take a long time. But, they're better than the quick bayonet types because they have something better than a weak spring maintaining the seal.