SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS/SpX-10 Dragon - Feb. 19, 2017 - Discussion

[DatUser14]

Will Dragon be mated to Falcon for the SF? I know they won't be doing it with a comms sat/fairing, but since it's a spacex payload would they do it?

[Flying Beaver]

Will Dragon be mated to Falcon for the SF? I know they won't be doing it with a comms sat/fairing, but since it's a spacex payload would they do it?

Not (really) SpaceX payload. NASA contracted supplies and science for the ISS.

Dragon is just a glorified fairing

[IanThePineapple]

I'd say Dragon will most likely not be integrated for the static fire. I have absolutely no sources of proof supporting this statement.

[Jim]

Not (really) SpaceX payload. NASA contracted supplies and science for the ISS.

Yes, really a Spacex payload.   It is commercial launch of a commercial spacecraft.

[envy887]

Is the cargo not yet loaded in Dragon?

I don't see why NASA would care if SpaceX does a static fire with an empty Dragon mated. NASA cargo aboard would be a different story.

[Flying Beaver]

Is the cargo not yet loaded in Dragon?

I don't see why NASA would care if SpaceX does a static fire with an empty Dragon mated. NASA cargo aboard would be a different story.

This Dragon has been in the works at the Cape since at least December. The only stuff to go in after static fire is the late load experiments: mice, frozen things etc.

Not (really) SpaceX payload. NASA contracted supplies and science for the ISS.

Yes, really a Spacex payload.   It is commercial launch of a commercial spacecraft.

But it's only flying for the goal of flying 3000+kg of stuff to the ISS. It's just another method of getting contracted mass to orbit. This is NASA (contacted) mission, its there payload that's going up on that rocket next week. SpaceX is just a delivery system as always. Same for a GEO sat or otherwise.

[Jim]

But it's only flying for the goal of flying 3000+kg of stuff to the ISS. It's just another method of getting contracted mass to orbit. This is NASA (contacted) mission, its there payload that's going up on that rocket next week. SpaceX is just a delivery system as always. Same for a GEO sat or otherwise.

Wrong.  It is a Spacex mission through and through.  The mission is determined by who buys the launch service and not the payload on top.  NASA did not buy the launch

Lockheed commercial spacecraft on an Atlas - Lockheed mission
Lockheed NASA spacecraft on an NASA procured Atlas- NASA mission
GSFC NASA spacecraft on an Air Force procured F9- Air Force mission
Air Force spacecraft on an NASA procured Delta II- NASA mission
Orbital commercial spacecraft on an F9 procured by Eutelsat - Eutelsat mission

[Robotbeat]

Flying Beaver: Nope, Dragon is a commercial vehicle. Its value is not just the payload it contains but also the ability to haul DIFFERENT cargo back down from Station and even be reused (by SpaceX). It's a commercial vehicle.

[envy887]

But it's only flying for the goal of flying 3000+kg of stuff to the ISS. It's just another method of getting contracted mass to orbit. This is NASA (contacted) mission, its there payload that's going up on that rocket next week. SpaceX is just a delivery system as always. Same for a GEO sat or otherwise.

Wrong.  It is a Spacex mission through and through.  The mission is determined by who buys the launch service and not the payload on top.  NASA did not buy the launch

Lockheed commercial spacecraft on an Atlas - Lockheed mission
Lockheed NASA spacecraft on an NASA procured Atlas- NASA mission
GSFC NASA spacecraft on an Air Force procured F9- Air Force mission
Air Force spacecraft on an NASA procured Delta II- NASA mission
Orbital commercial spacecraft on an F9 procured by Eutelsat - Eutelsat mission

How did NASA not buy the launch? What are they paying for?

[Brian45]

You don't buy the UPS truck that delivers your packages, do you?

[Jim]

But it's only flying for the goal of flying 3000+kg of stuff to the ISS. It's just another method of getting contracted mass to orbit. This is NASA (contacted) mission, its there payload that's going up on that rocket next week. SpaceX is just a delivery system as always. Same for a GEO sat or otherwise.

Wrong.  It is a Spacex mission through and through.  The mission is determined by who buys the launch service and not the payload on top.  NASA did not buy the launch

Lockheed commercial spacecraft on an Atlas - Lockheed mission
Lockheed NASA spacecraft on an NASA procured Atlas- NASA mission
GSFC NASA spacecraft on an Air Force procured F9- Air Force mission
Air Force spacecraft on an NASA procured Delta II- NASA mission
Orbital commercial spacecraft on an F9 procured by Eutelsat - Eutelsat mission

How did NASA not buy the launch? What are they paying for?

NASA paid Spacex to deliver packages and hardware to the ISS.  Spacex is using their own spacecraft to deliver the hardware.

[Robotbeat]

But it's only flying for the goal of flying 3000+kg of stuff to the ISS. It's just another method of getting contracted mass to orbit. This is NASA (contacted) mission, its there payload that's going up on that rocket next week. SpaceX is just a delivery system as always. Same for a GEO sat or otherwise.

Wrong.  It is a Spacex mission through and through.  The mission is determined by who buys the launch service and not the payload on top.  NASA did not buy the launch

Lockheed commercial spacecraft on an Atlas - Lockheed mission
Lockheed NASA spacecraft on an NASA procured Atlas- NASA mission
GSFC NASA spacecraft on an Air Force procured F9- Air Force mission
Air Force spacecraft on an NASA procured Delta II- NASA mission
Orbital commercial spacecraft on an F9 procured by Eutelsat - Eutelsat mission

How did NASA not buy the launch? What are they paying for?

They paid for delivery of cargo to ISS. Sometimes SpaceX uses their launch for secondary payloads (a point which isn't necessary for the argument but does strengthen it).

[rsdavis9]

Could they decide to make an extra trip to the pad with the dragon on it for fit check and testing the fluid/gas/electrical connect for the dragon and falcon 9. Then bring back and remove dragon and then do the static fire and then do the launch. Lots of trips!

[Jim]

Could they decide to make an extra trip to the pad with the dragon on it for fit check and testing the fluid/gas/electrical connect for the dragon and falcon 9.

All those connections are performed and tested when the F9 is mated with the TEL while in the HIF and horizontal. There are no vehicle interfaces at the launch pad.  Only TEL to pad interfaces, which have been tested.

[envy887]

But it's only flying for the goal of flying 3000+kg of stuff to the ISS. It's just another method of getting contracted mass to orbit. This is NASA (contacted) mission, its there payload that's going up on that rocket next week. SpaceX is just a delivery system as always. Same for a GEO sat or otherwise.

Wrong.  It is a Spacex mission through and through.  The mission is determined by who buys the launch service and not the payload on top.  NASA did not buy the launch

Lockheed commercial spacecraft on an Atlas - Lockheed mission
Lockheed NASA spacecraft on an NASA procured Atlas- NASA mission
GSFC NASA spacecraft on an Air Force procured F9- Air Force mission
Air Force spacecraft on an NASA procured Delta II- NASA mission
Orbital commercial spacecraft on an F9 procured by Eutelsat - Eutelsat mission

How did NASA not buy the launch? What are they paying for?

NASA paid Spacex to deliver packages and hardware to the ISS.  Spacex is using their own spacecraft to deliver the hardware.

Yes, they bought the launch of some packages in a spacecraft, instead of the launch of a spacecraft. They still get to decide whether their packages are aboard for a static fire.

I'm not saying it's a NASA mission. SpaceX obviously owns and operates the vehicles throughout the entire mission.

[Comga]

NASA paid Spacex to deliver packages and hardware to the ISS.  Spacex is using their own spacecraft to deliver the hardware.

Yes, they bought the launch of some packages in a spacecraft, instead of the launch of a spacecraft. They still get to decide whether their packages are aboard for a static fire.

I'm not saying it's a NASA mission. SpaceX obviously owns and operates the vehicles throughout the entire mission.

You suppose that NASA "still gets to decide whether their packages are aboard for a static fire."
Let's be clear about supposition and deduction versus information from official sources and first hand knowledge.

[envy887]

NASA paid Spacex to deliver packages and hardware to the ISS.  Spacex is using their own spacecraft to deliver the hardware.

Yes, they bought the launch of some packages in a spacecraft, instead of the launch of a spacecraft. They still get to decide whether their packages are aboard for a static fire.

I'm not saying it's a NASA mission. SpaceX obviously owns and operates the vehicles throughout the entire mission.

You suppose that NASA "still gets to decide whether their packages are aboard for a static fire."
Let's be clear about supposition and deduction versus information from official sources and first hand knowledge.

SpaceX has officially stated that customers get to decide whether payload goes on the vehicle for the static fire. You can interpret that as you see fit, but as I see it NASA is the customer and NASA's cargo is the payload.

[edkyle99]

Does anyone know where CRS-10 Dragon being processed?  The SMAB hurricane damage seems likely to preclude processing at that site at present, as was done in the past.  I seem to recall that SpaceX said it would use the SLC 40 hangar for the work instead?

 - Ed Kyle

[padrat]

It's at the PPF. Most of the repairs have been done. About the only thing left is finishing up the siding replacement.

[zubenelgenubi]

Following up on my question earlier in this thread:

What are the ISS program constraints on this Dragon launch?

There's a small high-beta angle docking/berthing cut-out Feb. 21-24.
<snip>

Currently, a Dragon launch on the 18th puts capture and berthing on the 20th.

In case of further launch delay, would the launch be delayed to the 23rd, placing capture and berthing on the 25th, after a 2-day ISS rendezvous?

Or would the launch occur on the next day that ISS orbital mechanics allow, Dragon would pursue a 2 days rendezvous with the station, and then loiter a few kilometers away from ISS until the high-beta angle cut-out is over?

Or, are there other options, such as a 3 or more day rendezvous?

Can the high-beta angle cut-out be whittled down via analysis?