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

[gongora]

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?

Because there is a gap in the numbers for the comsat launches that would make CRS-10 = F9-32.  What else would it be?

[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?

Because there is a gap in the numbers for the comsat launches that would make CRS-10 = F9-32.  What else would it be?

F9-34? I don't doubt that it is F9-32, I was just wondering if we had any other sources of information regarding this.

[jacqmans]

There is no update thread yet. So posting here:

From SpaceX:

"SpaceX announced today that its first launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be the CRS-10 mission to the International Space Station. The launch is currently targeted for no earlier than mid-February. Following the launch of CRS-10, first commercial mission from 39A is currently slated to be EchoStar XXIII. This schedule change allows time for additional testing of ground systems ahead of the CRS-10 mission. The launch vehicles, Dragon, and the EchoStar satellite are all healthy and prepared for launch."

[ChrisGebhardt]

There is no update thread yet. So posting here:

From SpaceX:

"SpaceX announced today that its first launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be the CRS-10 mission to the International Space Station. The launch is currently targeted for no earlier than mid-February. Following the launch of CRS-10, first commercial mission from 39A is currently slated to be EchoStar XXIII. This schedule change allows time for additional testing of ground systems ahead of the CRS-10 mission. The launch vehicles, Dragon, and the EchoStar satellite are all healthy and prepared for launch."

Where is this?  I can't find it on SpaceX's website.  (Note: Not doubting it was released, just trying to find it.)

[jacqmans]

This is the mail spacex send out to the media



Updated Guidance on SpaceX’s First Launch from Pad 39A
 
 
HAWTHORNE, Calif. – Jan. 29, 2017. SpaceX announced today that its first launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be the CRS-10 mission to the International Space Station. The launch is currently targeted for no earlier than mid-February.  Following the launch of CRS-10, first commercial mission from 39A is currently slated to be EchoStar XXIII. This schedule change allows time for additional testing of ground systems ahead of the CRS-10 mission. The launch vehicles, Dragon, and the EchoStar satellite are all healthy and prepared for launch.
 
U.S. media interested in covering the CRS-10 mission must apply to NASA by 4:30 p.m. EST, today, Sunday, Jan. 29 to request accreditation.
 
SpaceX has extended media accreditation for U.S. media wishing to cover the EchoStar XXIII mission. U.S. media who have not yet submitted requests using the form below or linked to here may now make requests to for accreditation up until 5:00 p.m. EST, Friday, Feb. 10.  As indicated below, requesting accreditation is not required of media who hold current annual press credentials issued by Kennedy Space Center, but it is appreciated for planning purposes.
 
More details on these missions and various pre-launch activities will be made available at a later date.

[Chris Bergin]

I'll get an update thread sorted tonight.

And done:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42182.0

[zubenelgenubi]

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.

Since this earlier date in this discussion, CRS-10 has become the inaugural Falcon 9 flight from LC-39A.

NASA's concerns, and the execution of any pending corrective actions, must have been answered in the meantime.

Will NASA reveal such a "punchlist" of items resolved on the return-to-flight for Dragon?

For instance, was approval of this launch predicated on a successful RTF (January 14 Iridium Next launch)?

Or will NASA at least release a summary of how they reached a decision to authorize this launch?

Or will this information be kept confidential due to ITAR and/or CRS contract confidentialities?

(This question has been asked in the L2 SpaceX sub-forum, by another member, but not yet answered.  I've seen no L2 level information that would answer my question, so I'll place it here in the non-restricted SpaceX sub-forum.)

[skel]

And an article:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/01/dragon-pulls-rank-lc-39a-readiness-spacex/

Thanks for the article. There is one thing mentioned in there which I've not read about before, and that is the "throwback method". A quick search of the forum doesn't seem to give any related results.

Normally the TE retracts away from the rocket with just over three minutes to launch. However, the “Throwback” method will see the TEL remain in place, before retracting, rapidly, at T-0.

Does anyone know anything about this, and what the pros and cons might be?

[Jim]

And an article:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/01/dragon-pulls-rank-lc-39a-readiness-spacex/

Thanks for the article. There is one thing mentioned in there which I've not read about before, and that is the "throwback method". A quick search of the forum doesn't seem to give any related results.

Normally the TE retracts away from the rocket with just over three minutes to launch. However, the “Throwback” method will see the TEL remain in place, before retracting, rapidly, at T-0.

Does anyone know anything about this, and what the pros and cons might be?

See Antares

[douglas100]

It reduces the blast effects on the strongback and the second stage umbilicals. The hoses and cables can be shorter as well. The Antares TEL does something similar. I seem to remember (but I don't know where) that the strongback will go all the way to horizontal as the vehicle lifts off. Don't know if this is true, though.

[Comga]

And an article:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/01/dragon-pulls-rank-lc-39a-readiness-spacex/

Thanks for the article. There is one thing mentioned in there which I've not read about before, and that is the "throwback method". A quick search of the forum doesn't seem to give any related results.

Normally the TE retracts away from the rocket with just over three minutes to launch. However, the “Throwback” method will see the TEL remain in place, before retracting, rapidly, at T-0.

Does anyone know anything about this, and what the pros and cons might be?

See Antares

What Jim means is that you can look at videos of the launch of Orbital's Antares rocket, which also retracts the mast at T=0.

Keep searching.  There is plenty of discussion of this on LC-39A threads including L2.  However, it is not specific to SpX/CRS-10, so can we please keep the discussion of "throwback" there?

[robert_d]

Keep searching.  There is plenty of discussion of this on LC-39A threads including L2.  However, it is not specific to SpX/CRS-10, so can we please keep the discussion of "throwback" there?

Did a search on "throwback" and did not find anything in the public section. Been reading the Pad 39A thread and don't remember this being mentioned. Can anyone provide a more specific link?

[TerryNaylor]

Without leaking any L2 info as I know Chris writes it up in future articles like he did with the throwback. The other first timers for the next two flights just make me admire the heck out of SpaceX. No return to flight or first time ops puts these guys off the big new first time milestones.

[mainmind]

Has anyone seen a launch window for Feb 14 or 15?
Heavens-above shows four over-pass possibilities between 11:00 and 23:00 hours on the 14th, and another four between 10:00 and 20:00 hours on the 15th.
Thanks

[ChrisGebhardt]

Has anyone seen a launch window for Feb 14 or 15?
Heavens-above shows four over-pass possibilities between 11:00 and 23:00 hours on the 14th, and another four between 10:00 and 20:00 hours on the 15th.
Thanks

1131-1136L for 14 February.

[IanThePineapple]

I thought launch windows to the ISS and LEO were instant

[mme]

I thought launch windows to the ISS and LEO were instant

It believe it will be.  My understanding is they initially set a short window that is refined closer to launch.  I don't know the specifics but it is related to external influences to the ISS' orbit like drag which I guess can vary quite a bit over time.

[deruch]

I thought launch windows to the ISS and LEO were instant

Only in practice as their vehicle operations/countdown doesn't allow a recycle in the short time theoretically available based purely on vehicle capabilities; IIRC, best they can do is to recycle to beginning of terminal countdown (T-13m).  Essentially necessitates an instantaneous launch even if the vehicle could physically work with a small window instead of actual instantaneous launch.

[theonlyspace]

Any time line for when Space X will release their SpX 10 Mission Press Kit?  Also when will Space X will make public their SpX 10 mission patch?

[IanThePineapple]

NASA released their CRS-10 patch back around September, but SpaceX has yet to release theirs.