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

[guckyfan]

The Vandenberg pad is just as new as LC-39A. Not necessarily more problems than the Iridium launch.

[Toastmastern]

The Vandenberg pad is just as new as LC-39A. Not necessarily more problems than the Iridium launch.

I Don't think a new pad compares to upgrading another pad to Full Thrust

[guckyfan]

The TE is basically new. All the facilities for fuel are basically new. Those are the items that could potentially cause delays.

[catdlr]

Ozone Monitoring SAGE III Set to Launch on SpaceX CRS-10

NASAKennedy

Published on Jan 17, 2017
NASA's SAGE III instrument is being prepared for launch to the International Space Station to study atmospheric “sunscreen,” the ozone layer. Testing has been taking place in Kennedy's Space Station Processing Facility, a world-class laboratory.

[ChrisGebhardt]

I find it odd that the NASA Launch Schedule page (also landings) has a listing for the Orbital ATK OA-7 mission but nothing on CRS-10.

Because while February 8th might be what everyone is working towards, NASA - as we've reported - has to review the SpaceX investigation of AMOS-6 mishap and be happy with that investigation and any and all corrective actions taken by SpaceX before they'll approve a launch of CRS-10.  And NASA has remained dubious and very cautious regarding that investigation.  So it's not surprising that the NASA website would not include CRS-10 at this point -- just as it's not surprising they don't have Progress MS-05 up yet... as there is an ongoing investigation and corrective action process to get Soyuz-U ready for that flight.

Also, LC-39A is not complete; it still needs a lot of check outs, verifications, and validations.  And there's a mission from 39A before CRS-10.

[Jim]

The Vandenberg pad is just as new as LC-39A. Not necessarily more problems than the Iridium launch.

No, densified LOX systems were tested on GH2.  TEL is the same one as Jason-3.

[savuporo]

NASA Glenn / Zin Technologies Zero Boil off Tank aka ZBOT experiment is finally supposed to be on this mission.

[Comga]

NASA Glenn / Zin Technologies Zero Boil off Tank aka ZBOT experiment is finally supposed to be on this mission.

Is that part of STP-H5?
Is ZBOT launched full of cryogen?
How far before launch would that be done?

Where is a good list of all the elements of STP-H5?

[savuporo]

Is ZBOT launched full of cryogen?

Nope, attached is description of the experiment. Propellant depots thread may be a better place for discussion.

Edit/Lar: Crosslinked there : https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=12338.msg1632457 ... probably OK to continue mission/experiment specific discussion here.

[Comga]

Is ZBOT launched full of cryogen?

Nope, attached is description of the experiment. Propellant depots thread may be a better place for discussion.

From this article:
"The breadboard consists of an acrylic fluid test tank that is thermally isolated from the outside environment. Heaters on the tank introduce controlled energy into the fluid, a room temperature refrigerant used as a cryogenic fluid simulant, whose temperature and pressure rise is accurately measured over time. A mechanically pumped fluid loop circulates the refrigerant in the chamber to distribute heat and control pressure, and velocity flow fields are measured using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The test tank is constructed of stainless steel and acrylic materials. The transparent acrylic portion of the tank allows velocity flow field measurements, at rates of 1 μm/s to 2 mm/s using PIV."

So far I have not found a direct statement that this is internal cargo, to be operated directly by the astronauts, not an external experiment as are other parts of STP-H5.  Needing a vacuum jacket for insulation is a pretty strong clue that it will be inside the pressurized environment, as are the hints that it will be returned and reflown.

[mainmind]

So far I have not found a direct statement that this is internal cargo, to be operated directly by the astronauts, not an external experiment as are other parts of STP-H5.  Needing a vacuum jacket for insulation is a pretty strong clue that it will be inside the pressurized environment, as are the hints that it will be returned and reflown.

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/1270.html

From the link:

Operational Requirements and Protocols
The ZBOT test points are performed at three different fill levels: 70%, 80%, and 90%. The test tank is launched at a fill level of 70%. Particles are then injected into the fluid. The test fluid, P-n-P, is pre-conditioned to a nominal starting point temperature prior to each test. Tests fall into three categories: jet-mixing, subcooled jet mixing, and self-pressurization tests. Once tests are completed, the Fluid Reservoir are used to increase the fluid level in the test to the 80% and 90%. Dissolved gas are removed from the test fluid after each fill adjustment. Also, additional particles are injected to the fluid adjustment. There are a total of 52 test points, 23 each at the 70% and 90% fill levels, and 6 test points at the 80% fill level. Data are downlinked periodically. Return of the hardware is not required for data retrieval.

On-orbit procedures cover the installation of the hardware into the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG). During installation the crew must evacuate air from hoses and fill the water loop. The hoses are evacuated using the Microgravity Science Glovebox vacuum exhaust system (MSG VES). The water loop is filled from the ZBOT Water Reservoir. After the hardware is installed, the crew inject particles into the Test Section between 3-5 times. Experimental runs are controlled from the ground.

So it will be installed internal to the station, in a glovebox, but will be operated from the ground.

edit: fixed formatting of quote

[mainmind]

The launch before SpX10 has been delayed by a week (from 23 Jan to 30 Jan) https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40374.msg1632104#msg1632104 so launch now likely Feb 15 if there's a 1-for-1 delay.

Does anyone know if it is likely to be an equal delay for the launch after Echostar 23 if its problems are due to pad readiness? What is the fastest they could turn around a pad? The HIF must be sufficient for simultaneously processing two missions, right? Or are there bottlenecks in equipment?

Thanks

[gongora]

The launch before SpX10 has been delayed by a week (from 23 Jan to 30 Jan) https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40374.msg1632104#msg1632104 so launch now likely Feb 15 if there's a 1-for-1 delay.

Does anyone know if it is likely to be an equal delay for the launch after Echostar 23 if its problems are due to pad readiness? What is the fastest they could turn around a pad? The HIF must be sufficient for simultaneously processing two missions, right? Or are there bottlenecks in equipment?

Thanks

No one is going to have answers to those questions until they start flying from the pad.  Speculating on the CRS-10 date is a bit futile until the pad is actually up and running.

[mn]

CRS missions also depend on the ISS schedule and it's not that simple to just push it back by a week or two or more... So it's at least conceivable that a sufficient delay to EchoStar could end up with CRS10 launching before EchoStar.

(I don't know the ISS schedule at this time and if what I'm saying applies in this specific case, just a general thought).

And of course as gongora said, all speculation until LC 39 is actually ready.

[Chris Bergin]

NASA:

January 19, 2017
MEDIA ADVISORY M17-010
NASA Opens Media Accreditation for Next SpaceX Space Station Cargo Launch

Media accreditation now is open for launch of the next SpaceX commercial cargo resupply services mission to the International Space Station, currently targeted for no earlier than February.

The uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft will launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The exact launch date and time still are under review.

Media prelaunch and launch activities will take place at Kennedy. Credentialing deadlines are as follows:

    International media without U.S. citizenship must apply by 4:30 p.m. EST Sunday, Jan. 22.
    U.S. media must apply by 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29.

[Chris Bergin]

This one is NET Feb 15 (has been for a while), but potentially moving as Echostar 23 has moved into Early Feb. We'll keep an eye on it.

[mn]

Very much still working this, but despite some good TEL testing at the pad over recent days (including a cool test relating to how the TEL will work differently than you've seen before at SLC-40), there's a lot of doubt about making Feb 3, or even close to that.

This is literally like a brand new pad, there's bound to be teething issues and you really don't want something failing on your pad at T-0!

Working is as it's not documented (where you see "X company requesting change to NET....") but what I'm being told. Could get interesting as CRS-10 is fast becoming a priority, with Dragon barging her shoulders in the line saying "I'm more important!" in a Jim-style "more than a ComSat launch"

Again, working it, preliminary - but I always pass on launch date stuff out of L2/where ever as I know folk book flights/hotels. Don't change any plans, but have options to do so.

But didn't Jim say it's just tang and t-shirts? 

[woods170]

Very much still working this, but despite some good TEL testing at the pad over recent days (including a cool test relating to how the TEL will work differently than you've seen before at SLC-40), there's a lot of doubt about making Feb 3, or even close to that.

This is literally like a brand new pad, there's bound to be teething issues and you really don't want something failing on your pad at T-0!

Working is as it's not documented (where you see "X company requesting change to NET....") but what I'm being told. Could get interesting as CRS-10 is fast becoming a priority, with Dragon barging her shoulders in the line saying "I'm more important!" in a Jim-style "more than a ComSat launch"

Again, working it, preliminary - but I always pass on launch date stuff out of L2/where ever as I know folk book flights/hotels. Don't change any plans, but have options to do so.

But didn't Jim say it's just tang and t-shirts? 

Which goes to show that tang, t-shirts and toiletpaper are still more important than comsats.

[edkyle99]

If CRS-10 goes first, will it ride F9-31 or F9-32?

 - Ed Kyle

[old_sellsword]

If CRS-10 goes first, will it ride F9-31 or F9-32?

 - Ed Kyle

F9-31 is for a GTO comsat, so it can't be that one. Here is the FCC license for CRS-10, but it doesn't mention an F9-XX number. How do we know CRS-10 is F9-32?