SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - Dragon - CRS-5/SpX-5 -Jan. 10, 2015 - DISCUSSION

[Darga]

Anyone know if she is vertical yet? Coming up on F9 power up.

[Eagandale4114]

Anyone know if she is vertical yet? Coming up on F9 power up.

Is there a link to all events pre and post launch?

[Darga]

Anyone know if she is vertical yet? Coming up on F9 power up.

Is there a link to all events pre and post launch?

Here is the CRS-5 press kit which has some of the timeline items. http://spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/spacex_nasa_crs-5_presskit.pdf warning pdf download

[adrianwyard]

I don't recall seeing any discussion of crosswind criteria for landing, has anyone else? Presumably there are extreme conditions that would prevent them from attempting to land on the ASDS, and ditch instead.

I suppose with known constant high crosswinds you could still land accurately, but would then risk being blown over after shutdown. But with unpredictable & sufficiently strong gusts you could miss the platform entirely, right?

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere and I missed it.

[HIP2BSQRE]

Here is a video from a Chinese space club.

[IslandPlaya]

Truely awesome!

[NovaSilisko]

Lovely video, though I can't call this the nominal way to separate Dragon:

[jabe]

Is no one watching the press conference? Lots of good info.  Hans cracks himself up every time he tries to say autonomous spaceport drone ship.

When i watched it I got the feeling he was told by powers that be to NOT refer it as a barge but as the ASDS.   I hope they weren't surprised by the interest in the Barg..ooops.. ASDS
jb

[Robotbeat]

Here is a video from a Chinese space club.

Wow!

I hope this inspires them, and we one day join in fellowship... On the Red Planet!

[Rocket Science]

One of your best articles William, thank you!

[ericspittle]

I don't recall seeing any discussion of crosswind criteria for landing, has anyone else? Presumably there are extreme conditions that would prevent them from attempting to land on the ASDS, and ditch instead.

I suppose with known constant high crosswinds you could still land accurately, but would then risk being blown over after shutdown. But with unpredictable & sufficiently strong gusts you could miss the platform entirely, right?

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere and I missed it.

They specifically mentioned that there was no thick cloud rule on the way down which leads me to believe that unless an abort is needed for safety reasons they're going to try to learn everything they can on the way down regardless of weather.

[deruch]

Best tidbit from Elon's reddit AMA so far:

Previously, you've stated that you estimate a 50% probability of success with the attempted landing on the automated spaceport drone ship tomorrow. Can you discuss the factors that were considered to make that estimation?

In addition, can you talk more about the grid fins that will be flying tomorrow? How do they compare to maneuvering with cold-gas thrusters?

I pretty much made that up. I have no idea

The grid fins are super important for landing with precision. The aerodynamic forces are way too strong for the nitrogen thrusters. In particular, achieving pitch trim is hopeless. Our atmosphere is like molasses at Mach 4!

Quite the rigorous process there.   

[robertross]

One of your best articles William, thank you!

Indeed. A great balance of all the great things going on for this mission, especially the core point: science & re-supply for the station.

[JBF]

Great article, but you should probably stop using the v1.0 picture of Elon.

[Darga]

Any idea about this? https://twitter.com/NASAWatch/status/552285883358265344

Weather looks good for #SpaceX5 launch tomorrow but a technical issue being worked (quietly) by @SpaceX may cause problems.

[Eagandale4114]

From http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

[Lars-J]

Here is a video from a Chinese space club.

Wow, that is actually a very nice video!    I look forward to seeing that landing point of view for real soon - if not this flight, then very soon!

EDIT - And here is the "F9 is vertical" image in high resolution:

[Zach Swena]

Us there any place to get NASA TV VOD, or can someone record and post the broadcast for those of us that can't watch live?  Not sure what NASA copywrite policy is...

[whitelancer64]

Us there any place to get NASA TV VOD, or can someone record and post the broadcast for those of us that can't watch live?  Not sure what NASA copywrite policy is...

I have always been able to find launches I've missed seeing live on YouTube, sometimes within a few minutes. Some kind space flight enthusiast somewhere will upload it there.

[sanman]

Here is a video from a Chinese space club.

Wow, amazing video is amazing.


On a different note, I'd like to ask why there haven't been any attempts to land Grasshopper onto the barge first, ahead of CRS5? Is it mainly because of FAA clearance issues? Isn't a lot being left to chance by trying to land on barge directly from CRS5 on the first go?