Author Topic: NASA CRS2 Contract Award Announcement - Jan 14, 2016 (Read 221216 times)

Lars-J · « **Reply #100 on:** 01/14/2016 08:19 pm »

OrbitalATK Cygnus missions will all berth.
SnC DC missions can birth or dock. (different docking/berthing module attached to DC)
SpaceX Dragon missions can birth or dock. (Cargo Dragon or unmanned Dragon 2?)

Craftyatom · « **Reply #101 on:** 01/14/2016 08:20 pm »

First missions set for late 2019

psloss · « **Reply #102 on:** 01/14/2016 08:21 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 01/14/2016 08:18 pm

Kirk notes Dragon and Dragon 2 involved. "One berths, one docks"

Yeah, and sounds like the Cygnus has options for Antares (Virginia) and Atlas (Florida)...and that doesn't cover the unpressurized mission. Hopefully the providers will publish more details on their proposals -- curious about the different mission proposals.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #103 on:** 01/14/2016 08:23 pm »

CRS2 enables the seventh astro via supplies.

BrightLight · « **Reply #104 on:** 01/14/2016 08:23 pm »

timely acquisition of pressurized cargo a new criteria

clongton · « **Reply #105 on:** 01/14/2016 08:24 pm »

Quote from: Lars-J on 01/14/2016 08:14 pm

Quote from: clongton on 01/14/2016 08:13 pm
I wonder which LV DreamChaser will use?

Atlas V, haven't we seen images showing that? Not official yet, I suppose, but I would be shocked if another LV wa chosen.

The first CRS-2 mission won't fly until late 2019 and last thru 2024.
Will the Atlas still be flying then?

Star One · « **Reply #106 on:** 01/14/2016 08:24 pm »

Going to show my ignorance now but what is the technical definition marking berthing from docking?

Rocket Science · « **Reply #107 on:** 01/14/2016 08:24 pm »

They are happy to get access to samples in 3-6 hours...

BrightLight · « **Reply #108 on:** 01/14/2016 08:24 pm »

Quote from: clongton on 01/14/2016 08:24 pm

Quote from: Lars-J on 01/14/2016 08:14 pm
Quote from: clongton on 01/14/2016 08:13 pm
I wonder which LV DreamChaser will use?

Atlas V, haven't we seen images showing that? Not official yet, I suppose, but I would be shocked if another LV wa chosen.

The first CRS-2 mission won't fly until late 2019 and last thru 2024.
Will the Atlas still be flying then?

good question

Craftyatom · « **Reply #109 on:** 01/14/2016 08:25 pm »

NASA "very excited" about quick pressurized downmass, 3-6 hours between landing and (didn't hear) - sounds like SNC crossrange and Dv2 propulsive landing!

Lars-J · « **Reply #110 on:** 01/14/2016 08:26 pm »

I'm a bit surprised that Orbital ATK is offering Cygnus launch from both Florida (Atlas V) and Virginia (Antares)... But splitting 6 missions, that's not much. Are they considering dumping Antares?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #111 on:** 01/14/2016 08:26 pm »

Robert asking the the most important question, first. How CRS-3 and CRS-7 played into picking multiple players. Kirk nods at the notion.

And he said dissimilar redundancy!

My fav quote from SNC.

BrightLight · « **Reply #112 on:** 01/14/2016 08:27 pm »

Three independent LV, three independent spacecraft, three unique but overlapping sets of capabilities.

BrightLight · « **Reply #113 on:** 01/14/2016 08:28 pm »

To foster LEO commercial economy.

clongton · « **Reply #114 on:** 01/14/2016 08:29 pm »

Another reference to cis-lunar space in answer to a question.

Craftyatom · « **Reply #115 on:** 01/14/2016 08:30 pm »

Reporter asks if they'll need 3 lifeboats for 7 crew, evidently she wasn't covering the CCtCap presser

Lars-J · « **Reply #116 on:** 01/14/2016 08:31 pm »

Quote from: Star One on 01/14/2016 08:24 pm

Going to show my ignorance now but what is the technical definition marking berthing from docking?

Berthing is a process where the ISS arm grabs the spacecraft and attaches it to a larger port. (allows bulkier cargo)

Docking is the typical process where the spacecraft docks the normal way, but the port is smaller.

EDIT: I added an image showing the difference is hatch/port sizes:

abaddon · « **Reply #117 on:** 01/14/2016 08:31 pm »

So for 3-6 hour return, where is DreamChaser going to land? Is "return" to Houston?

Assuming ~1 hour for deorbit, landing, wheel stop, safing, that leaves 2-5 hours to unload and get it to wherever it is going...

Rocket Science · « **Reply #118 on:** 01/14/2016 08:32 pm »

DC: low g entry
Rapid access to experiments
Soft landing (no shock to experiments)

BrightLight · « **Reply #119 on:** 01/14/2016 08:33 pm »

DC - 3 to 6 hours to return cargo - more gentle return profile - dissimilar redundancy - biologic material and crystallographic material needs rapid return and soft landing