SpaceX Falcon 9 : CRS-15 : June 29, 2018 : Updates

[gongora]

CRS-15 Updates thread

NSF Threads for CRS-15 : Discussion / Updates / L2 Coverage https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45565.0 / ASDS / Party

NSF Articles for CRS-15:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=CRS-15

NSF Articles for CRS missions :  https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=CRS

Successful launch June 29, 2018 at 05:42 EDT (09:42 UTC) on Falcon 9 (reused Block 4 booster 1045.2) from SLC-40. The booster was expended.


External cargo: ECOSTRESS, LEE


Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
   SpaceX News Articles (Recent)  /   SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews)
   SpaceX Dragon Articles  /  SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions)
   L2 SpaceX Section

[gongora]

Tweet from James Dean:

NASA's upcoming #CRS15 launch of ISS cargo will re-fly the Falcon 9 booster that launched the agency's planet-hunting #TESS science mission less than two months ago.

[Chris Bergin]

Waiting on observed milestones (such as TEL rollback) but the Eastern Range has the CRS-15 Static Fire test of the Falcon 9 (B1045.2) scheduled to take place on Saturday at SLC-40. As always, subject to change.

[russianhalo117]

Payloads installed in the trunk ahead of its final mate with Dragon cargo capsule:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasakennedy/

NASA Kennedy
KSC-20170602-PH_SPX01_0001
The ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS), pictured at the bottom, and the Latching End Effector (LEE), pictured at the top, are integrated into the unpressurized SpaceX Dragon truck June 2, 2018, at the SpaceX facility on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The payloads will be carried to the International Space Station on SpaceX's 15th Commercial Resupply Services mission. ECOSTRESS will measure the temperature of plants and use that information to better understand how much water plants need and how they respond to stress. The Canadian Space Agency is supplying LEE for the Canadarm2 as a spare to replace a failed unit removed by astronauts during a spacewalk in 2017. Each end of the Canadarm2 robotic arm has an identical LEE, which acts like a "hand" to grapple payloads and visiting cargo spaceships. Photo credit: SpaceX

[jacqmans]

June 22, 2018
MEDIA ADVISORY M18-098

NASA Television to Air Launch of Next Space Station Resupply Mission

NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting no earlier than 5:42 a.m. EDT Friday, June 29, for the launch of its 15th resupply mission to the International Space Station. Live coverage will begin on NASA Television and the agency’s website Thursday, June 28, with prelaunch events.

Packed with more than 5,900 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

About 10 minutes after launch, Dragon will reach its preliminary orbit. It then will deploy its solar arrays and begin a carefully choreographed series of thruster firings to reach the space station.

It will reach the space station Monday, July 2. NASA astronaut Ricky Arnold, backed up by fellow NASA astronaut Drew Feustel, will supervise the operation of the Canadarm2 robotic arm for Dragon’s capture while NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor monitors the spacecraft’s systems. After Dragon capture, ground commands will be sent from mission control in Houston for the station’s arm to rotate and install it on the bottom of the station’s Harmony module.

Full mission NASA TV coverage is as follows:

Thursday, June 28
•11 a.m. – What’s on Board science briefing from Kennedy •Christian Karrasch, project lead at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and Philipp Schulien, project engineer at Airbus, will discuss the Crew Interactive Mobile companion (CIMON) study into crew efficiency and acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) support for future use on long-duration missions.
•Principal investigators Richard Grugel at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Oliver Steinbock at Florida State University, will discuss Chemical Gardens studying the physics of nanotube growth.   
•Simon Hook, principal investigator at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Woody Turner, program scientist in the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters, will discuss the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) investigation. This study will answer several key science questions related to water stress in plants and how selected regions may respond to future changes in climate.
•Paolo Luzzatto-Fegi, principal investigator at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Richard Dickinson, director of the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems at the National Science Foundation, will discuss Quantifying Cohesive Sediment Dynamics for Advanced Environmental Modeling (BCAT-CS), which focuses on the study of forces between particles that cluster together by studying sediments of quartz and clay particles.
•Ken Podwalski, director of Space Exploration Operations and Infrastructure for the Canadian Space Agency, will discuss the spare Canadarm2 Latching End Effector (LEE) being launched.

•12:45 p.m. – Prelaunch news conference from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida with representatives from NASA’s International Space Station Program, SpaceX and the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing.

Friday, June 29
•5:15 a.m. – Coverage begins for the 5:42 a.m. launch
•8 a.m. – Postlaunch news conference at Kennedy with representatives from NASA’s International Space Station Program and SpaceX.

Monday, July 2
•5:30 a.m. – Dragon rendezvous, grapple and berthing at the space station. Capture is scheduled for approximately 7 a.m.
•9 a.m. – Dragon installation to the Nadir port of the station’s Harmony module

The deadline for media to apply for accreditation for this launch has passed, but more information about media accreditation is available by emailing [email protected].

For the latest schedule of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/content/spacex-crs-15-briefings-and-events

Learn more about the SpaceX resupply mission at:

https://www.nasa.gov/spacex

[jacqmans]

SpaceX CRS-15 Briefings and Events


NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting no earlier than 5:42 a.m. EDT Friday, June 29, for the launch of its 15th resupply mission to the International Space Station.

Live coverage will begin on NASA Television and the agency’s website Thursday, June 28, with prelaunch events.

Packed with more than 5,900 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. About 10 minutes after launch, Dragon reaches its preliminary orbit, at which point it will deploy its solar arrays and begin a carefully choreographed series of thruster firings to reach the International Space Station.


In addition to bringing research to station, the Dragon’s unpressurized trunk is carrying a new Canadian-built Latching End Effector, or LEE. This new LEE is being launched as a spare to replace the failed unit astronauts removed during a series of spacewalks in the fall of 2017. Each end of the Canadarm2 robotic arm has an identical LEE, and they are used as the “hands” that grapple payloads and visiting cargo spaceships. They also enable Canadarm2 to “walk” to different locations on the orbiting outpost, including Canada’s Mobile Base, which travels along rails on the space station’s main truss.


In collaboration with the National Park Service, a toy dog representing the Newfoundland that accompanied Lewis and Clark on their historic expedition in the 1800s also is headed to the space station to help the two agencies celebrate NASA’s 60th anniversary and the National Trail System’s 50th anniversary.


It will take three days to reach the space station, where it will arrive Monday, July 2. NASA astronaut Ricky Arnold, backed up by fellow NASA astronaut Drew Feustel, will supervise the operation of the Canadarm2 robotic arm for Dragon’s capture while NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor monitors the spacecraft’s systems. After Dragon capture, ground commands will be sent from mission control in Houston for the station’s arm to rotate and install it on the bottom of the station’s Harmony module.

The deadline for media to apply for accreditation for this launch has passed, but more information about media accreditation is available by contacting [email protected].

Full mission coverage is as follows:

Thursday, June 28

Press Site Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
 Badging Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Foreign National Pickup Times: 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.

News Media Schedule
•10:20 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. – CIMON demo in the news auditorium
•11 a.m. – What’s on Board science briefing from Kennedy to highlight the following research: ◦Christian Karrasch, project lead at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and Philipp Schulien, project engineer at Airbus, will discuss the Crew Interactive Mobile companion (CIMON) study into crew efficiency and acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) support for future use on long-duration missions.
◦Principal investigators Richard Grugel at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Oliver Steinbock at Florida State University, will discuss Chemical Gardens studying the physics of nanotube growth.   
◦Simon Hook, principal investigator at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Woody Turner, program scientist in the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters, will discuss the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) investigation. This study will answer several key science questions related to water stress in plants and how selected regions may respond to future changes in climate.
◦Paolo Luzzatto-Fegi, principal investigator at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Richard Dickinson, director of the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems at the National Science Foundation, will discuss Quantifying Cohesive Sediment Dynamics for Advanced Environmental Modeling (BCAT-CS), which focuses on the study of forces between particles that cluster together by studying sediments of quartz and clay particles.
◦Ken Podwalski, director of Space Exploration Operations and Infrastructure for the Canadian Space Agency, will discuss the spare Canadarm2 Latching End Effector (LEE) being launched.

•12:45 – 1:15 p.m. – Prelaunch news conference from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida with representatives from NASA’s International Space Station Program, SpaceX and the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing.
•1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – Tour Flame Trench
•3:15 – 4:30 p.m. – One-on-one Interview Opportunities (Sign up at the Press Site) ◦ECOSTRESS ◾Simon Hook, principal investigator, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
◾Josh Fisher, science lead, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
◾Kerry Cawse-Nicholson, deputy science lead, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

◦CIMON ◾Christian Karrasch, project lead, German Aerospace Center (DLR)
◾Philipp Schulien, project engineer, Airbus

◦National Park Service ◾Ashley Danielson, volunteer and partnership specialist, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
◾Alexandra Picavet, chief of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Midwest Region


•5:15 p.m. – K-9 inspection
•5:30 p.m. – Leave for pad
•6:00 - 6:45 p.m. – Remote Camera Set-up/Pad Photo Op

Media who would like to call in for the prelaunch news conference or What’s on Board briefing should phone the NASA News Center at 321-867-2468.

Friday, June 29

Press Site Hours of Operation: 3 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
 Badging Hours of Operation: 2:30 – 5:00 a.m.

Foreign National Pickup Time: 4 a.m.

News Media Schedule
•4 a.m. – Sat trucks depart for Causeway
•4:15 a.m. – Media depart for Causeway
•4:30 a.m. – Media depart for VAB roof
•8 a.m. – Postlaunch news conference at Kennedy with representatives from NASA’s International Space Station Program and SpaceX
•8:45 a.m. – Remote camera pickup

Launch Viewing

Media may view the CRS-15 launch from the Kennedy Press Site, NASA Causeway or the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) roof (space is limited). Media who wish to view the launch from the NASA Causeway or the VAB roof should meet at the Kennedy Press Site at 3:45 a.m. to be escorted. Media must RSVP with their preference for the NASA Causeway or the VAB roof by noon on Wednesday, June 27 to [email protected]. Only one representative per organization may sign up for the VAB roof.

NASA TV Launch Coverage

NASA TV live coverage will begin at 5:15 a.m.  For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.

Audio only of the news conferences and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA “V” circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240, -1260 or -7135. On launch day, "mission audio," the launch conductor’s countdown activities without NASA TV launch commentary, will be carried on 321-867-7135. Launch also will be available on local amateur VHF radio frequency 146.940 MHz heard within Brevard County on the Space Coast.

NASA Web Prelaunch and Launch Coverage

Prelaunch and launch day coverage of the SpaceX CRS-15 flight will be available on the NASA website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning at 5:15 a.m. as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the newsroom at 321-867-2468. You can follow countdown coverage on our launch blog at http://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex.

Postlaunch News Conference on NASA TV

A postlaunch news conference will occur at about 8 a.m. in Kennedy’s Press Site TV Auditorium and air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. Media who would like to call in should phone the NASA News Center at 321-867-2468.

Learn more about the SpaceX CRS-15 mission by going to the mission home page at:

http://www.nasa.gov/spacex

[Raul]

M1383 CRS-15 Launch Hazard Areas visualization based on issued NOTMARs.

• Expendable flight for booster 1045.2 - no ASDS or LZ landing.
• According to azimuth of green launch hazard area A and location of orange splashdown area B, there is apparent dogleg turn.
• Orange area B is also a bit more far away compare to previous CRS mission.
• And interestingly... upper stage reentry will be this time performed 6:20 hrs after launch and to the hazard area in Atlantic.. east of Bermuda.

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lnms/lnm07252018.pdf

[jacqmans]

Ken Kremer reports on his facebook page that the booster is up right at the pad. Waiting for static fire.

[Chris Bergin]

Article for the test (and more):

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/06/falcon-9-static-fire-test-crs-15/

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Fueling operations are underway right now at Cape Canaveral's launch complex 40 as SpaceX prepares to test fire the nine Merlin engines on the Falcon 9 first stage ahead of next week's space station cargo resupply mission.

https://twitter.com/spaceflightnow/status/1010604507103932416

[Chris Bergin]

They have been struggling with some bad weather in the area. Must have passed now:

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1010598918437179396

[sghill]

They have been struggling with some bad weather in the area. Must have passed now:

https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1010598918437179396

I'm there now. The storm front hasn't gotten here yet, but it's raining lightning and moving this way! I was surprised to see the TEL still upright a few minutes ago.

(ASDS off to the right. Storm approaching in the background. Band playing "Rocketman" at Fishlips as I type this).

[Chris Bergin]

William Harwood
‏
 
@cbs_spacenews
Following Following @cbs_spacenews
More
F9/CRS15: 1st stage engine ignition at 5:30pm... and shutdown

[Chris Bergin]

Quick look review complete:

SpaceX Follows You.
Following.
@SpaceX

Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting June 29 launch from Pad 40 in Florida for Dragon’s fifteenth mission to the @Space_Station.

Rocket and spacecraft for CRS-15 are flight-proven. Falcon 9’s first stage previously launched @NASA_TESS two months ago, and Dragon flew to the @Space_Station in support of our ninth resupply mission in 2016.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/06/falcon-9-static-fire-test-crs-15/
Updated the article and yes, I got a caption out of place the first time. Corrected it.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Static fire photo

"SpaceX Completes Successful Static Fire Test of Reused Falcon 9 Rocket for NASA Resupply Launch to ISS" @SpaceX #Falcon9 @NASA #CRS15 @Space_Station @elonmusk . Read my story plus static fire/water spout pics @ken_kremer spaceupclose.com
kenkremer.blogspot.com/2018/06/spacex…

https://twitter.com/ken_kremer/status/1010758528750047233

[vandersons]

Falcon horizontal again, maybe even off the pad.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Airspace Closure Area and Launch Hazard Area

[Chris Bergin]

CASIS:

 Upcoming SpaceX Mission to the International Space Station Loaded with Research

More than 20 U.S. National Laboratory Payloads Launching to the International Space Station on this Mission

Kennedy Space Center, FL (June 26, 2018) — SpaceX is targeting its 15th resupply mission (awarded by NASA) to the International Space Station (ISS) for no earlier than 5:42 a.m. EDT on June 29th from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. As part of this mission, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will haul approximately 300 kilograms of research and hardware facilities under the ISS U.S. National Laboratory flight allocation. The ISS National Lab is managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS). The research investigations that are part of the ISS National Lab flight manifest represent a diverse mixture of payloads which are intended to benefit life on Earth.

 

Among the many research investigations destined for the ISS National Lab, one experiment from the University of Florida is evaluating domesticated algae strains, which will be cultivated in space to explore beneficial genetic changes. The research team will sequence the algae’s genomes to identify growth-related genes – setting the foundation for the production of biomass feedstocks, recycling carbon dioxide, and improving plant-biology gene-editing technologies. There are also more than 35 student experiments as part of this mission, developed by partners such as the Student Spaceflights Experiment Program (in coordination with education partner DreamUp and hardware partner NanoRacks) and Go For Launch! (in coordination with hardware partner Space Tango). These student experiments span multiple scientific topics, ranging from the adaptation of bees on station to the evaluation of kidney stones in microgravity. Additionally, the Multiple User System for Earth Sensing platform (managed by Teledyne Brown), designed to enhance imaging capabilities from station, will host its first instrument on this mission.

 

As part of this mission, there are multiple payloads funded through outside organizations that are destined for station. Through a joint CASIS and National Science Foundation partnership, researchers from University of California-Santa Barbara will evaluate forces between particles that cluster together such as sediments of quartz and clay particles, which could play an important role in technological efforts related to deep sea hydrocarbon drilling and sequestration. Additionally, startup company Angiex (funded in part by Boeing through the MassChallenge Startup Accelerator) has developed a cancer therapy that regresses tumor cells in model organisms. As part of this mission, Angiex will culture endothelial cells in microgravity, which could create an important model system for evaluating the action of any vascular-targeted drug. Use of this model may enable the development of a novel therapy with lower toxicity and the potential to be effective against most cancers.

 

“This launch represents the incredible amount of diversity that resides within the ISS National Lab project portfolio,” said CASIS Interim Chief Operating Officer Warren Bates. “The breadth of experimentation on this mission showcases the capabilities of station and equally demonstrates the desire by outside funding entities and agencies to invest in research on this incredible learning platform.”

 

To learn more about all ISS National Lab investigations and hardware partners involved as part of this mission, please visit: https://www.iss-casis.org/press-releases/spacex-crs-15-mission-overview/. 

[ChrisGebhardt]

Weather outlook.

90% chance of good conditions Friday.
70% chance of good conditions Saturday.

ULWs look more than favorable both days.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Just in case anyone's on the fence about heading to the Cape Friday morning...

@NASA_Nerd
Take at 5:42am this morning. Prepare for a spectacular predawn launch this Friday of SpaceX Falcon 9 with #CRS15 on the Space Coast.

[Rondaz]

ISS Daily Summary Report – 6/26/2018

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Today the Robotics Ground Controllers powered up the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and performed SSRMS Latching End Effector (LEE)-B Checkouts and SSRMS Joint Diagnostics on both Strings in preparation for Space-X 15 Dragon capture on 2 July. Additionally, controllers powered up the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) and are currently performing SPDM Arm2 Direct Drive Tests. The data collected from these tests will be used to support trending of the health of the SPDM Arm2 joints.

On-board Training (OBT) Dragon Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT): The crewmembers tasked with capturing Dragon completed an OBT session using ROBoT. ROBoT is an on-orbit version of the ground-based Dynamics Skills Trainer (DST) that simulates robotics operations with graphical feedback. During today’s session, the crew reviewed the Backaway Cue Card and simulated a 30m approach and two Capture Point (CP) hold runs. The crew will also practice crew coordination and review details, such as timing of calls, related to capture.

[ChrisGebhardt]

L-2 day launch weather outlook.  Unchanged from yesterday.  90% change of good weather on Friday.  70% chance of good weather on the backup day on Saturday.

[Rondaz]

ISS Daily Summary Report – 6/27/2018

Dragon Off-Set Grapple Training: During this afternoon’s training session, the crew practiced grapple approaches with the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) using the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture (FRGF) as the target.  They maneuvered SSRMS over the pin and practiced pulling the trigger when they were in the grapple envelope; since no Latching End Effector (LEE) commands were loaded, no mechanism motion was initiated upon the trigger pulls. Today’s session gave the crew an opportunity to assess the Robotics Worksite in the Cupola and determine how to best manage the volumetric constraints in the Cupola prior to capture day.

SpaceX-15 Cargo Prepack: Today the crew started the approximately 10 hours of Dragon Cargo Prepack in order to stage equipment and bags slated for return on SpaceX-15 Dragon. Dragon is scheduled to launch on Friday, 29 July with berthing on 2 July.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Launch attempt schedule:

Friday - 05:42 EDT (09:42 UTC)
Saturday - NO ATTEMPT
Sunday - 04:54 EDT (08:54 UTC)

[ChrisGebhardt]

What's On Board briefing coming up in 9-ish minutes.

[ChrisGebhardt]

L-1 day launch weather:

Unchanged.

90% chance of good weather on Friday.
70% chance of good weather on Sunday.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Interesting.  One experiment is a cancer treatment based partly on the fact that it has been observed that fewer astronauts develop caner after their flights then the general population statistics would say.  This is because a specific type of cell does not grow in space.

[ChrisGebhardt]

27 new experiments going up on CRS-15.  Some support payloads that will augment already present experiments are also on CRS-15 for a total fo about 50 experiments either going up new or having additional things brought up to them.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Question about continuation of science on Station if U.S. government follows through on Trump's proposal to cease all funding in 2025.

Answer: They are likely ways to continue funding via commercial enterprise.  ISS will continue to operate as long as people see utility in the Station as a science platform.

[ChrisGebhardt]

CIMON Artificial Intelligence (AI):

- Imprinted on Alexander Gerst (his voice and face)
- 3hrs of crew time schedule for interaction during Gerst's flight
- Moves via small fans -- can propel itself around the Station and follow Gerst or go to him when called
- Can assist verbally or digitally by displaying schematics and helping to troubleshoot issue and repairs
- Can display emotions
- Can "nod" when it's "thinking" about an answer to a question it's been asked
- Nav Cameras create 3D map of its surroundings, so it knows where everything is in its environment

[ChrisGebhardt]

For CIMON, during connectivity of ISS with TDRS, cognitive processing occurs through the Cloud.  We can make it smarter while it's on ISS via Cloud connectivity.

It is tailored for Alexander, but it can work with anyone.  So it stays on ISS when Gerst comes home later this year.

Right now, CIMON is programmed to operate in English for this mission, but it can be multilingual.

[ChrisGebhardt]

CIMON responds when an astro says, "Cimon."

Question: What happens if an astro is also named Simon?

Joke answer: The astro needs to be renamed.

[ChrisGebhardt]

CSA updates (all around):

- Science: Human health sciences and crew performance.  Long-term experiments.  These are ongoing.  Blood and plasma samples coming BACK on CRS-15 to evaluation.  This is leading to better understand fo disease here on Earth as well aiding our future Mars exploration with humans.

- Crew: New CSA astro launching to Station later this year.  Some of his food items are going up on CRS-15.

- Robotics: Canada Arm-2 has to capture SpaceX.  CRS-15 will be 30th vehicle SSRMS captures.  CRS-15 will be "ground release" of Dragon from the end of the Canada Arm-2 to free up crew time for science.

- LEE: business end of Canada Arm-2.  New LEE spare is going up on CRS-15.

Failed LEE from October was brought inside ISS and will be packed onto CRS-15 Dragon and returned to Earth.  It will be returned to Canada, refurbished, and serve as a new spare.

[ChrisGebhardt]

DEXTRE is alway doing quite well.  No issues with its LEE.  Some minor issues with its smaller fingers.  But DEXTRE has been exceptional.

[ChrisGebhardt]

5,900 lbs of supplies to ISS going up on CRS-15.

Kirk (NASA)
- ISS is in very busy time.  June 6th, new crew launched.  Spacewalk last week to prepare Station to accept uncrewed crew vehicle test flights. And the this week has been spent making repairs to the airlock when critical hardware was repaired.  That finished up this morning.  ALSO, they've been prepping for sprit of research over next 30days while Dragon's berthed.
 1.7ton fo pressured pressurize cargo going up.  Same amount coming back.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Jessica Jensen:
1 issue being tracked that could impact launch, but proceeding at this point.

Precise launch times are:
Friday: 05:42:42 EDT (09:42:42 UTC)
Sunday: 04:54:28 EDT (08:54:28 UTC)

This will be FINAL Block 4 Falcon 9 to fly.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Weather:

90% go for Friday

70% go for Sunday

[ChrisGebhardt]

Over 300 experiments will be performed over the Expedition 55/56 increment.

2,600 investigations so far performed on ISS over its life.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Can't launch Saturday because ISS trajectory is too far away in its ground track for Dragon to reach Station in time for science requirements.  NO other reason.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Issue is a thermal protection panel on Dragon.  Doing close out work to make sure everything is fine.

[Chris Bergin]

Chris and Nate:

[ChrisGebhardt]

Stage 2 will do long-coast demonstration.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Looks like tomorrow is on, press kit attached

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Just tweeted, while doing camera set-up at the pad:

Falcon 9 is not vertical. Will make for some different pad photos 👌🏻

https://twitter.com/_TomCross_/status/1012450232586657792

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Nice pic from ChrisG:

A gloomy Pad-40 as #Falcon9 undergoes late stow ahead of tomorrow’s planned 5:42:42am EDT (0942:42 UTC) launch. #SpaceX #CRS15 #Dragon

https://twitter.com/chrisg_nsf/status/1012453123405893634

[vaporcobra]

From Tom Cross/Teslarati. The rain has basically painted the interstage Space Grey

[FutureSpaceTourist]

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Falcon 9 on its side this evening for Dragon capsule loading. Taking photos of a horizontal rocket in a light rain during sunset was a nice treat for a change. Launch is at 5:42am est. and should be incredible!  @Teslarati #SpaceX #falcon9 #crs15 @NASA @ISS_Research

https://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/1012490324646748163

[Chris Bergin]

FEATURE ARTICLE: Final Block 4 Falcon 9 set for CRS-15 Dragon launch -

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/06/final-block-4-falcon-9-crs-15-dragon-launch/

By William Graham.

(That's CRS-14 from Brady in the lead pic until we get some of CRS-15).

[pb2000]

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1012525306970664960

Falcon 9 and Dragon went vertical tonight ahead of tomorrow’s resupply mission to the @ISS. Weather is 90% favorable for launch at 5:42 a.m. EDT, 9:42 UTC.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Photo from SpaceX website

Edit to add: wider shot

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Tomorrow at 5:42am ET, a @SpaceX #Dragon cargo spacecraft will launch to @Space_Station, packed with more than 5,900 pounds of cargo and scientific experiments. Watch live starting at 5:15am ET: nasa.gov/live

https://twitter.com/nasa/status/1012524810742755329

[vaporcobra]

One more angle.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[ChrisGebhardt]

Good morning from the Kennedy Space Center, where all currently appears to be on track for a 05:42:41 EDT (09:42:41 UTC) launch.

Clock is currently at T-1 hr 36mins 40 secs and counting.

[ChrisGebhardt]

At T-1hr 30mins and COUNTING, all appears to be on track for launch this morning. 

Teams will be polled shortly for a GO for fueling ops.

[ChrisGebhardt]

AFTS checkouts "acceptable" and complete.

[Steven Pietrobon]

CASIS:

 Upcoming SpaceX Mission to the International Space Station Loaded with Research

More than 20 U.S. National Laboratory Payloads Launching to the International Space Station on this Mission

One of the payloads is the DLR Earth Sensing Imaging Spectrometer (DESIS). La Trobe University from Melbourne, Australia is providing hardware and software for the controls, with DLR providing the optics.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-24/la-trobe-university-helps-develop-new-space-camera/6936676

[ChrisGebhardt]

Final prop load poll is underway.

[ChrisGebhardt]

T-70mins and COUNTING.

Launch autosequence has been initiated.

Fueling of Stage 1 RP-1 has begun.

Launch team has been briefed on standard "what to do if an abort becomes necessary" procedures.

[ChrisGebhardt]

RP-1 bleed, Stage 1, has started.

[ChrisGebhardt]

This is the 3rd and FINAL Block 4 first stage / Block 5 second stage Falcon 9 configuration.

It is the first time NASA is flying with a Block 5 Falcon 9 Second Stage.

[ChrisGebhardt]

T-1hr.  All quiet on the LD loop <-- a very good sign.

[ChrisGebhardt]

RP-1 bleed, Stage 2, has started.

[ChrisGebhardt]

The extra performance of the Block 5 2nd Stage results today in a 32 second shorter ascent for orbital insertion of Dragon.  CRS-14 took 9mins 03sec to reach orbit on an all-Block 4 Falcon 9.  This Dragon will take only 8mins 31secs to reach orbit under Block 5 Stage 2 power.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

~1 hour until Falcon 9 launch of Dragon for its fifteenth mission to the @Space_Station. Vehicle and spacecraft are healthy and tracking no issues

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1012618433450500096

[ChrisGebhardt]

Stage 1 RP-1 flow rates are nominal.

[ChrisGebhardt]

T-45mins and COUNTING.  All continues to go well.  The LD loop is very quiet.  We are 10mins away from the start of Stage 1 LOX load and Stage 2 RP-1 load.  Stage 2 LOX load will follow later in the count.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Stage 1 has reached RP-1 topping level.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Stage 2 props tanks preparing for propellant load.

[ChrisGebhardt]

T-35mins and COUNTING. 

Stage 1 LOX (Liquid Oxygen) and Stage 2 RP-1 fueling are underway.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Stage 1 LOX flow rates and Stage 2 RP-1 flow rates are nominal.

[Steven Pietrobon]

NASA coverage starting in about four minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

NASA coverage has started.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Stage 2 cryo helium ops have started

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-25 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Funky music time!

[Steven Pietrobon]

90% go. 24 C.

[Steven Pietrobon]

That's a dirty rocket. :-)

[Steven Pietrobon]

SpaceX commentator.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Stage 2 RP-1 load is complete.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-20 minutes. Refurbished Dragon.

[Star One]

No signs of this on the NASA You Tube channel only feed I can see is Space X’s which hasn’t started yet.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Talking about cancer research on ISS.

[centaurinasa]

[Star One]

Feed just starting on Space X YT channel.

[Chris Bergin]

Rather venting opening shot from the SpaceX webcast.

[Steven Pietrobon]

SpaceX coverage has started.

All systems currently go.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Big vent.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Stage 2 LOX load has started.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-15 minutes. No grid fins or legs. Not tracking any problems.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-12 minutes. Slight weather concern on cumulus clouds. Light upper level winds.

[Chris Bergin]

Slight weather concern (clouds) that they are keeping an eye on. Sounds like they have that amazing pad mic set up again. We'll get to hear F9 in press, which was impressive the last time around.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-10 minutes. First Dragon 2 demonstration mission later this year.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-9 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-8 minutes. Showing CASIS promo.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-7 minutes. Engine chill should be starting now.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-6 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-5 minutes. Talking about new LEE.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-4 minutes. Cradle is opening.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-3 minutes. Stage 1 LOX closed out for flight.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-2 minutes. Stage 2 LOX closed out for flight.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T-1 minute. Vehicle is in startup.

Go for launch.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Liftoff!

[Chris Bergin]

LAUNCH!

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+1 minute.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+2 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Separation.

T+3 minutes. Engine ignition.

[Chris Bergin]

Staging 1-2. Second Stage ignition.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+4 minutes. No IR filter!

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+5 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+6 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+7 minutes.

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+8 minutes. Stage 2 is in terminal guidance.

[Steven Pietrobon]

MECO! Nominal orbit.

[Chris Bergin]

There goes Dragon!

[Steven Pietrobon]

T+9 minutes.

Spacecraft separation!

[Steven Pietrobon]

Dragon thrusters successfully primed.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Arrays deployed.

[centaurinasa]

[Chris Bergin]

Arrays:

Thanks to Steven, Chris G and all for the coverage!

William Graham's article updated:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/06/final-block-4-falcon-9-crs-15-dragon-launch/

(As always, congrats, discussion, etc. All in the other threads. This is an update only thread).

[ChrisGebhardt]

Quick low resolution teasers of what the Falcon 9 contrail did this morning. Nate will have higher res images a little later.

[Steven Pietrobon]

SpaceX coverage ending.

[MarekCyzio]

From SR-520

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Wow. One of the most stunning launches – SpaceX or otherwise – I've ever seen. A big "thank you" to the twilight phenomenon. #CRS15 #Falcon9

https://twitter.com/emrekelly/status/1012636281623470081

[Steven Pietrobon]

Main NASA coverage ending. Replay of launch up next.

[Steven Pietrobon]

End of NASA coverage.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

CRS-15 was hands down the most beautiful launch I’d ever seen. This was absolutely incredible! #spacex #crs15 @Teslarati @ISS_Research @NASA @NASAKennedy @elonmusk

https://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/1012637654641504256

[FutureSpaceTourist]

So many amazing launch photos

Who else caught a glimpse of that beautiful launch? 🚀 #SpaceX #CRS15

📸: @Mike_Seeley / @WeReportSpace

https://twitter.com/explorespaceksc/status/1012638001078439946

Edit to add: Mike posted himself at https://twitter.com/Mike_Seeley/status/1012637562039689218

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Almost primeval:

Here's the whole view from Orlando. You can see the initial liftoff plume at right, moving left and upwards. Fantastic! #CRS15

https://twitter.com/jpmajor/status/1012639316504403969

[ChrisGebhardt]

@NASA_Nerd
Following Following @NASA_Nerd
More
#SpaceX Falcon 9 with #CRS15 makes a spectacular predawn climb to orbit.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

First SpaceX launch photo from website

[Mapperuo]

[SciNews]

Main events from SpaceX (launch, MECO, SECO, Dragon deployment, solar arrays deployment)


Full replay from NASA


More about Project CIMON - AI assistant for astronauts

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Gorgeous launch series from SpaceX CRS15 this morning from Port Canaveral. #crs15 #falcon9 #rocketlaunch #spacex

https://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/1012645276392284161

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Falcon 9 and CRS-15 launch into the pre-sunrise Florida sky at 5:42am this morning, as seen in this long exposure image taken from the roof of NASA’s 525-foot-tall Vehicle Assembly Building. What an absolutely incredible spectacle! #Falcon9 #CRS15

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1012649263761952768

[FutureSpaceTourist]

The Dragon’s tail

currently:

STREAK SHOT WORKED HOLY SMOKES MAN

https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1012634035942805504

[jacqmans]

June 29, 2018
RELEASE 18-059

New NASA Research, Hardware Heading to Space Station on 15th SpaceX Resupply Mission

Experiments investigating cellular biology, Earth science and artificial intelligence are among the research heading to the International Space Station following Friday’s launch of a NASA-contracted SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at 5:42 a.m. EDT.

Dragon lifted off on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida with more than 5,900 pounds of research, equipment, cargo and supplies that will support dozens of investigations aboard the space station.

NASA astronauts Ricky Arnold and Drew Feustel will use the space station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture Dragon when it arrives at the station. Live coverage of the rendezvous and capture will air on NASA Television and the agency’s website beginning at 5:30 a.m. Monday, July 2. Installation coverage is set to begin at 9 a.m.
Research materials flying inside Dragon's pressurized cargo area include a cellular biology investigation (Micro-12) to understand how microgravity affects the growth, gene expression and ability of a model bacterium to transfer electrons through its cell membrane along the bacterial nanowires it produces. Such bacteria could be used in microbial fuel cells to make electricity from waste organic material.

An Earth science instrument called the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) will provide a new space-based measurement of how plants respond to changes in water availability. This data can help society better manage agricultural water use.

An observational pilot study with the Crew Interactive MObile companioN (CIMON) aims to provide first insights into the effects of crew support from an artificial intelligence (AI) in terms of efficiency and acceptance during long-term missions in space.

Among the hundreds of pounds of hardware flying to the space station is a spare Canadian-built Latching End Effector (LEE). Each end of the Canadarm2 robotic arm has an identical LEE, and they are used as the “hands” that grapple payloads and visiting cargo spaceships. They also enable Canadarm2 to “walk” to different locations on the orbiting outpost.

This is SpaceX’s 15th cargo flight to the space station under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract. Dragon is scheduled to depart the station in August and return to Earth with more than 3,800 pounds of research, hardware and crew supplies.

For more than 17 years, humans have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies, making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth that will enable long-duration human and robotic exploration into deep space. A global endeavor, 230 people from 18 countries have visited the unique microgravity laboratory that has hosted more than 2,400 research investigations from researchers in 103 countries.

Get breaking news, images and features from the space station on social media at:

https://instagram.com/iss

and

https://www.twitter.com/Space_Station

and

http://www.twitter.com/ISS_Research

[FutureSpaceTourist]

#SpaceX's #Falcon9 rocket's exhaust plume illuminated as it climbs into the upper atmosphere, on its way to deliver #CRS15 to orbit.

Wow.

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1012653348040925184

[mdeep]

Well that was pretty nuts.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Post-launch news conference:

Kirk: Work we do pushes the frontiers of knowledge. Microgravity is the key to unlocking so much fo us.  103 countries around the world, over half the countries recognized by the United Nations, have done or had research on Station.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Kirk: A generation, today, doesn't know a time when humans weren't living and working in space.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Jessica:  Beautiful launch. Dragon in good orbit.  Arrays deployed on time.

GNC bay door opening is next up.

Dragon will return after about 30days at ISS.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Food items: Super-caffeinated coffee headed to Station.  Kirk tried it.  Fresh fruit going up, too.  All welcomed and help keep astros feeling connected.

Frozen treats going up too.

[ChrisGebhardt]

Thermal panels cleared by models.  No issues.

Rodent research samples will come home, AngieX (sp?) is coming back, as well as experiments that have been up there for months await space to come home.  DNA samples from BEST experiment are coming home, too --> related article: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/06/best-experiment-situ-bacterial-identification-rna-first-space/

Dragon will be packed full for return journey.

(Chris Edit with screenshots of our guys).

[ChrisGebhardt]

When this Dragon comes back, if it hasn't breached life-time cycles, it could be used again.

[jacqmans]

Press release, 29 June 2018

CIMON – a 'cyber colleague' for Alexander Gerst - New astronaut assistance system launches to the ISS along with additional experiments

A new 'cyber colleague' is on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) to join German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst. CIMON and six other experiments for the 'horizons' mission lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Friday,
29 June 2018 at 11:42 CEST (05:42 local time) on board a US Dragon capsule with a Falcon 9 launcher. In addition to the astronaut assistance system, a new Earth observation instrument, experiments for cell and materials research and two student experiments
will reach the ISS on 2 July.

CIMON – a new 'cyber colleague' on the ISS

Alexander Gerst and the rest of the crew on the ISS will soon welcome a new colleague. The Crew Interactive MObile companioN (CIMON) is an innovative assistance system for astronauts, which is equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and can act
autonomously. Not only can CIMON 'see', 'hear', 'understand' and 'speak' with its cameras, sensors, microphones and processors, but it can also present and explain a wide range of information, as well as experiment and repair instructions. CIMON can
even perform simple routine tasks such as documenting experiments or searching for objects. 

Since the assistant is voice-controlled, the astronauts can perform tasks using both their hands while accessing the services of the 'cyber colleague'. Twelve internal fans provide mobility in all directions, allowing CIMON to move freely and perform
rotational movements such as nodding or shaking its head. The system will be used and tested for the first time during the 'horizons' mission. In the long term, however, CIMON and its successors will not only be able to assist astronauts in space,
but also in the areas of medicine and nursing, education and human-machine interaction. CIMON was built by Airbus under a contract awarded by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) Space Administration in Bonn
with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Bundesministerium fuer Wirtschaft und Energie; BMWi) for use in the European Columbus laboratory on the ISS. At the heart of the CIMON AI language comprehension system is
IBM's Watson technology.

DESIS – keeping an eye on Earth’s ecosystems

The DLR Earth Sensing Imaging Spectrometer (DESIS) instrument, a spectrometer built for environmental monitoring and precision farming, will send a wide range of data to Earth from the ISS. This data will allow scientists to observe changes in Earth's
surface ecosystems. Based on the information obtained, they can assess the status of forests or agricultural areas and make yield forecasts. Another purpose of DESIS is to safeguard and improve global food production. DESIS will be the first instrument
on board the ISS to be integrated into the Multiple User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) platform. 

The 235 DESIS sensor channels will focus particularly on light in the visible and near-infrared portions of the spectrum, in the wavelength range of 400 to 1000 nanometres. The resolution of the instrument is 30 metres per pixel. Unlike conventional
instruments, the special DESIS technology also allows observation of Earth's surface from different angles. DESIS was developed jointly by the DLR Institute of Optical Sensor Systems and the US company Teledyne Brown Engineering.

Living cells in 3D – the FLUMIAS experiment

For the FLUMIAS experiment, a fluorescence microscope is being launched to the ISS that is capable of producing high-resolution images of living cells. This will enable such long-term observations to be carried out in space for the first time. During
the 'horizons' mission, the cytoskeleton and nuclei of living macrophages – that is, human immune cells, will be examined. Scientists from the University of Magdeburg will use the live cell imaging method, in which special dyes or fluorescent proteins
are used to illuminate particular cell structures. 

The extremely precise FLUMIAS images also allow researchers to create 3D models or short videos of the observations. The aim of the research is to gain new insights in the fields of cell and molecular biology as well as biomedicine. In the long term,
these should help to keep astronauts healthy during their stay in space, but also be used more generally in therapy for neurodegenerative and immune diseases or cancer.

Gene Control Prime – gene regulation of immune cells

What influence does gravity have on gene regulation and the functioning of immune cells? This is the question that will be answered by the Gene Control Prime experiment, which will investigate the genetic causes of immunodeficiency in microgravity.
Two of the focal points of the experiment are the activation and functioning of the phagocytes of the immune system, macrophages. On the ISS, the scientists want to investigate the effect of space conditions on the human immune system and bone metabolism.
The study of the molecular mechanisms regulating the immune system is not only relevant to future long-term astronaut missions, but in addition the results should help to understand the general causes of immunodeficiency and assist with the development
of new therapies. On board SpaceX CRS-15, there are 24 experiment containers, each the size of a smartphone.

CompGran investigates the dynamics of granular materials

Matter that is made up of granules, such as sand or grain, can behave very differently depending on the circumstances. If the material is compacted, it behaves like a solid. For example, compacted layers of sand are used as a substrate in road construction.
If it is not compressed, the matter can be poured like a liquid. The dynamics and physical properties of granular matter are highly complex. They are easier to investigate if the processes are not affected by gravity. 

For the CompGran experiment, Airbus Defence and Space has developed a total of four experimental cells on behalf of the DLR Space Administration. The volume of these experimental cells can be changed by a piston to vary the compactness of the granules.
CompGran is being installed in the Fluid Science Laboratory of the Columbus module as part of the new ESA Soft Matter Dynamics experimental facility. The researchers are hoping that the experiments will provide new insights into the dynamics of granular
matter, which in the medium to long term will contribute to the improvement of industrial processes involving bulk solids such as coal dust, flour or grain.

Pumps and planets – student experiments PAPELL and ARISE

Also on board SpaceX CRS-15 are two experiments from the 'High-flyers' competition organised by DLR and the German Physical Society (Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft; DPG). Of the numerous ideas that students from German universities submitted for
ISS experiment, an expert jury selected the best three. In the 'Pump Application using Pulsed Electromagnets for Liquid Relocation' (PAPELL) experiment, students from the University of Stuttgart are investigating a novel pump technology. This moves
a ferrofluid, a colloidal liquid with very small magnetic particles held in suspension, with the help of electromagnets. This pump has no moving mechanical components. This means that wear, susceptibility to errors and noise are minimised. In two sub-experiments,
the team will investigate the transport of the liquid and small solid globules in it. There are numerous applications for such a pump in space, such as for the fuel supply to the engines of launchers and spacecraft.

The ARISE experiment, designed by students from the University of Duisburg-Essen, deals with the formation of planets. According to current theory, in the early phase of planet formation, micrometre-sized particles collide, adhere to one another and
thus form larger aggregates. If these grow to a size of several millimetres, they would theoretically have to bounce off each other like billiard balls. So how can it be that planets still emerge? ARISE examines the electrostatic charge of particles.

Millimetre-sized glass beads are placed in a transparent container and shaken so that they collide against each other. The resulting electrostatic charges and their interactions are monitored by cameras. The scientists suspect that the alternating
forces will lead to an overall attractive force that helps glass beads to accumulate and form agglomerations. This theory will be tested in the long-term microgravity on the ISS.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

#SpaceX’s #Falcon9 rocket launches #CRS15 at 5:42am this morning, as seen from my sound-activated camera placed at Space Launch Complex 40.

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1012682764007739392

[Raul]

Dragon CRS-15 cataloged as object 2018-055A

2018-06-29 11:28:11 UTC - 227/387km/51.64°

[mdeep]

And now remotes.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Pad shots are in! And out of this world. 😛 @Teslarati @MiopsTrigger #spacex #crs15

https://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/1012694524987092992

[JimO]

Any word on the S2 reentry?

[envy887]

Any word on the S2 reentry?

I watched to the northwest from central Michigan from 12:05 to 12:20 local time and didn't see anything. Clear skies, but it was a long shot since the ground track should be ~500 km away and the stage would be ~2,000 km from the impact point so probably not on fire yet.

Anyone along the eastern seaboard see it coming down?

[FutureSpaceTourist]

More SpaceX launch photos

[FutureSpaceTourist]

As usual the SpaceX shots (as in previous post) were by Ben Cooper. Has another shot posted by Ben:

https://twitter.com/launchphoto/status/1012797315613110272

[yg1968]

The post-launch news conference is at 42 minutes of this video:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/115848225

NASA Webcast of the launch starts at 57m of this video:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/115845223

Pre-launch conference starts at 1h12m:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/115831159

What's on board (starts at 2h42m of the first video and continues on the second video):
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/115827138
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/115831159

[yg1968]

A couple of videos on the Cimon AI robot being transported on CRS-15:

[catdlr]

SpaceX - Early Morning Light Show - CRS-15 - 06-29-2018

USLaunchReport
Published on Jun 29, 2018

Thanks again to our friend Ed Geiger for the use of his Optical Tracker.

[Solar_OPS]

ESA article about commercial experiments:

DRAGON DELIVERS SOME ICE

29 June 2018

The newly installed International Commercial Experiments service – ICE Cubes for short – facility providing commercial access to microgravity will soon receive the first experiment cubes after today’s successful SpaceX Dragon resupply launch.

The 15th resupply mission lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 5:42 ET (11:42 CEST) with standard cargo for the International Space Station as well as the first 10 x 10 x 10 cm experiment cubes. 

[snip]

 The International Space University is the first to run experiments in ICE Cubes. Once on board the Space Station, the plug-and-play cubes need only to be slotted into the facility by an astronaut. And the data collection begins.

One cube will house an experiment that is continuing research on methane-producing microorganisms to see how they survive in space conditions. In the longer term, the knowledge gained could lead to these microorganisms for bio-mining of asteroids to produce methane to fuel future space missions.

The second ISU experiment is an interactive art installation that brings space to Earth and back again, highlighting the versatility of the ICE Cubes facility. The cube contains a kaleidoscope linked to a ground installation that is activated by the pulse of participants. The images are then beamed down to the installation to Earth, thanks to ICE Cubes’ unique 24-hour accessibility.

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Research/Dragon_delivers_some_ICE

[Solar_OPS]

Blog post on Alex Gerst's blog mentioning MAGVECTOR and Soft Matter Dynamics:

http://blogs.esa.int/alexander-gerst/2018/06/28/science-and-art-on-a-dragon/

[Solar_OPS]

And the only release I found mentioning the VMU Mk-II (Video Management Unit) for R&R of ESA's Fluid Science Lab in Columbus:

https://www.spaceapplications.com/news/fsl-vmu-mkiilaunched-on-space-x15/

[Targeteer]

https://twitter.com/Astro_Alex/status/1012707021534031879?s=20

Beautiful trail of @SpaceX #Dragon 15's launch this morning over Cape Canaveral. The unmanned cargo vehicle carries lots of @iss_research experiments for us up here on @Space_Station, incl. several European and German ones. And maybe also a few letters from my family. #Horizons

[centaurinasa]

http://www.satflare.com/track.asp?q=43523#TOP

[Chris Bergin]

RNDZ, Berthing and ISS ops through to EOM Updates:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45933.0

[Rondaz]

ISS Daily Summary Report – 6/29/2018

SpaceX-15 Launch: SpX-15 launched nominally today at 4:42 AM CDT from Launch Pad LC-40 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. In preparation for vehicle arrival, the crew scheduled to capture Dragon completed their second Robotics Onboard Trainer (ROBoT) session this afternoon. In addition, all USOS crew participated in a conference with ground cargo transfer specialists to discuss the SpX-15 cargo unloading and loading plan. Capture and berthing is scheduled for Monday, July 2, at approximately 6:00 AM CDT.

[Rondaz]

ISS Daily Summary Report – 7/02/2018

SpX-15 Mission:  At 5:56 AM CDT, the ISS crew used the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) to capture the Dragon vehicle. Ground specialists then maneuvered the spacecraft to the pre-install position where they performed an inspection of the Passive Common Berthing Mechanism (PCBM).  Once complete, Dragon was berthed to the Node2 Nadir port at 09:38 AM CDT and the crew completed vestibule pressurization, leak checks, vestibule outfitting, and CBM Control Panel Assembly (CPA) rotation in support of tomorrow morning’s scheduled ingress.

[catdlr]

SpaceX CRS-15 Launch Photographer Behind-the-Scenes, Orbital Sunrise, 500fps liftoff slow motion

LearnTimeLapse
Published on Jul 5, 2018

SpaceX CRS-15 took flight at 5:41 AM EST on Friday, June 29th, 2018. The emotion and light at this launch were piercing... awakening. In a small way, I hope to share some of those feelings in this behind the scenes video.

Several projects were underway at the time and this collection incorporates some of each.  The Tesla Model S, 3, and X are part of a project we're calling “Dawn of a New Era” - and the final images and separate behind-the-scenes are coming soon

Fellow launch photographers Tom Cross, Mary Liz Bender, Erik Kuna and Amy Lynn are featured.

Learn more about how I'm pushing tech and my personal edge capturing rocket launch and space/science events all over the East Coast. See what special projects are underway https://www.patreon.com/ryanchylinski

From tranquil beaches all along the Space Coast to the roof of the Vehicle Assembly Building, curious and excited humans observed an incredible feat of engineering ornamented by the incredible beauty of our atmosphere

Those who woke early witnessed a rocket launch into an orbital sunrise. It was an unforgettable emotional experience that would carry them through the day and maybe much much further

Lots more to share about these projects and the spirit of collaboration and unity we tried to embody one early Friday morning

Music: I love this composition, transfixing depth and soaring. It's called Awake The Light by Borrtex. https://soundcloud.com/user-910809074

Daniel Bordovský is a young soundtrack composer from Prague, Czech Republic. He has been playing the piano since the age of 6 but decided to start composing his own music at the beginning of May 2017. He plans to move to Los Angeles and compose music for major movies.

licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License.

[Rondaz]

ISS Daily Summary Report – 7/05/2018

Dragon Cargo Operations: The crew completed several hours of Dragon unpack.  Ground specialists estimate the crew will need another 20 hours to complete the unpacking. 

Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: This afternoon ground specialists will use the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) and Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) to extract the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRSS) payload from the Dragon Trunk. Once complete, they will maneuver and transfer the payload to the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) for installation into Exposed Facility Unit (EFU)#10.

[Rondaz]

ISS Daily Summary Report – 7/06/2018

SpX-15 External Cargo Status:  Last night ground specialists used the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) to extract ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) from the Dragon trunk and hand it off to the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS). The JEMRMS was then used to install ECOSTRESS at the Exposed Facility Unit (EFU)10 location.  Ground specialists successfully activated ECOSTRESS.  Tonight ground controllers will use the SSRMS to remove the empty Latching End Effector (LEE) Flight Support Equipment (FSE) from External Stowage Platform (ESP)-2 which will be installed in the trunk on Sunday, and then will extract the Launch on Need (LON) LEE from the Dragon trunk and install it at ESP-2.

[gongora]

Information about the CRS-15 Dragon on orbit should just be posted in the SpaceX CRS-15 Dragon - RNDZ, ISS Ops, EOM - UPDATES thread.  There is no need to cross-post the information to this thread.