SpaceX Falcon 9 / Dragon 2 : SpX-DM2 : May 27, 2020 : DISCUSSION

[ejb749]

I don't know why I never picked up on "Bob and Doug" until I heard Gwen say it!
Coo Roo Coo Coo Coo Loo Coo Coo! Take Off, Eh?

[eric z]

 I get a very nice birthday present if they dock to the ISS on the 28th!

[Yazata]

Is there a Press Kit available anywhere for DM-2?  Can anybody steer me to additional information about the flight well be controlled—capcoms, flight directors, Dragon console positions, flight control room, etc.?

I don't know if it's the final press kit, but here's a 34 page one that addresses all of Commercial Crew with an emphasis on DM2:

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/commercialcrew_press_kit.pdf

Speaking of Bob and Doug, I like the one where one of them says -- Canadians made the arm on the Shuttle, eh? Can it open a beer? 

[daveglo]

I don't know if it's the final press kit, but here's a 34 page one that addresses all of Commercial Crew with an emphasis on DM2:

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/commercialcrew_press_kit.pdf

Interesting on page 26 that it mentions a "backup splashdown location" in the Gulf.  I'm guessing that would be used if the weather off the Cape was bad, but wouldn't they need to make that call well in advance of splashdown, in order to position recovery assets?

Wonder how long it would take for a recovery fleet to get in position for a Gulf return?  And just where in the Gulf is that location?

[DigitalMan]

I see Jim managed to get a worm and a meatball on that Model X.

[Sesquipedalian]

I don't know why I never picked up on "Bob and Doug" until I heard Gwen say it!
Coo Roo Coo Coo Coo Loo Coo Coo! Take Off, Eh?

I had never heard of Bob and Doug until this post.  Thanks for the introduction; there are a lot of good clips on YouTube.

[whitelancer64]

I don't know if it's the final press kit, but here's a 34 page one that addresses all of Commercial Crew with an emphasis on DM2:

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/commercialcrew_press_kit.pdf

Interesting on page 26 that it mentions a "backup splashdown location" in the Gulf.  I'm guessing that would be used if the weather off the Cape was bad, but wouldn't they need to make that call well in advance of splashdown, in order to position recovery assets?

Wonder how long it would take for a recovery fleet to get in position for a Gulf return?  And just where in the Gulf is that location?

The Gulf of Mexico is a third backup location, with the Atlantic being primary and the Pacific being secondary. SpaceX already has capsule recovery infrastructure in place for both Atlantic and Pacific recoveries.

In the Draft FAA Environmental Assessment for landing in the Gulf of Mexico, SpaceX did not specify an exact landing area in the Gulf of Mexico - it covers a wide area (an irregular strip about 100-200 miles wide) off the Southern coast, from Texas to the Florida Keys. Presumably to keep their options open, as it's an emergency landing location.

EA attached for your reading pleasure.

[DistantTemple]

I don't know if it's the final press kit, but here's a 34 page one that addresses all of Commercial Crew with an emphasis on DM2:

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/commercialcrew_press_kit.pdf

Interesting on page 26 that it mentions a "backup splashdown location" in the Gulf.  I'm guessing that would be used if the weather off the Cape was bad, but wouldn't they need to make that call well in advance of splashdown, in order to position recovery assets?

Wonder how long it would take for a recovery fleet to get in position for a Gulf return?  And just where in the Gulf is that location?

The Gulf of Mexico is a third backup location, with the Atlantic being primary and the Pacific being secondary. SpaceX already has capsule recovery infrastructure in place for both Atlantic and Pacific recoveries.

In the Draft FAA Environmental Assessment for landing in the Gulf of Mexico, SpaceX did not specify an exact landing area in the Gulf of Mexico - it covers a wide area (an irregular strip about 100-200 miles wide) off the Southern coast, from Texas to the Florida Keys. Presumably to keep their options open, as it's an emergency landing location.

EA attached for your reading pleasure.

There are also military, Spaceforce/Airforce team(s) intended for abort scenarios, but it seems logical that they would be better able to get to an unplanned, or poorly/late/emergency planned landing. Obviously the safe recovery of the crew is paramount, and loss or damage to the Dragon a possible outcome/cost where better options became nonviable.

[Yazata]

I don't know if it's the final press kit, but here's a 34 page one that addresses all of Commercial Crew with an emphasis on DM2:

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/commercialcrew_press_kit.pdf

Interesting on page 26 that it mentions a "backup splashdown location" in the Gulf.  I'm guessing that would be used if the weather off the Cape was bad, but wouldn't they need to make that call well in advance of splashdown, in order to position recovery assets?

Wonder how long it would take for a recovery fleet to get in position for a Gulf return?  And just where in the Gulf is that location?

The Gulf of Mexico is a third backup location, with the Atlantic being primary and the Pacific being secondary. SpaceX already has capsule recovery infrastructure in place for both Atlantic and Pacific recoveries.

In the Draft FAA Environmental Assessment for landing in the Gulf of Mexico, SpaceX did not specify an exact landing area in the Gulf of Mexico - it covers a wide area (an irregular strip about 100-200 miles wide) off the Southern coast, from Texas to the Florida Keys. Presumably to keep their options open, as it's an emergency landing location.

EA attached for your reading pleasure.

There are also military, Spaceforce/Airforce team(s) intended for abort scenarios, but it seems logical that they would be better able to get to an unplanned, or poorly/late/emergency planned landing. Obviously the safe recovery of the crew is paramount, and loss or damage to the Dragon a possible outcome/cost where better options became nonviable.

I'm guessing that the Gulf is a desirable contingency recovery location because it's within range of the primary recovery vessels at Port Canaveral. With sufficient warning, if a hurricane is approaching the primary recovery area or something like that, they could direct Go Searcher and Go Navigator to the Gulf instead.

But there will be more difficult contingencies that have to be factored in.

Page 29 includes this:

"Rescue and recovery involves meticulous planning and close coordination among NASA, the Department of Defense (DOD) and company recovery teams for Crew Dragon. In the event of a variety of contingency landings, an elite team is prepared to rescue the crew anywhere in the world."

[Comga]

I don't know if it's the final press kit, but here's a 34 page one that addresses all of Commercial Crew with an emphasis on DM2:

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/commercialcrew_press_kit.pdf

Interesting on page 26 that it mentions a "backup splashdown location" in the Gulf.  I'm guessing that would be used if the weather off the Cape was bad, but wouldn't they need to make that call well in advance of splashdown, in order to position recovery assets?

Wonder how long it would take for a recovery fleet to get in position for a Gulf return?  And just where in the Gulf is that location?

The Gulf of Mexico is a third backup location, with the Atlantic being primary and the Pacific being secondary. SpaceX already has capsule recovery infrastructure in place for both Atlantic and Pacific recoveries.

In the Draft FAA Environmental Assessment for landing in the Gulf of Mexico, SpaceX did not specify an exact landing area in the Gulf of Mexico - it covers a wide area (an irregular strip about 100-200 miles wide) off the Southern coast, from Texas to the Florida Keys. Presumably to keep their options open, as it's an emergency landing location.

EA attached for your reading pleasure.

For easier reference:

[Zed_Noir]

<snip>
"Rescue and recovery involves meticulous planning and close coordination among NASA, the Department of Defense (DOD) and company recovery teams for Crew Dragon. In the event of a variety of contingency landings, an elite team is prepared to rescue the crew anywhere in the world."

What that really means is that some folks will be parachuting out of a C-17 into the sea with rescue equipment to pull the crew out of the Dragon. Until the nearest USN or USCG assets can get to the splashdown site.

The USSF unit tasked with Astronaut recovery have being redesignated recently as Task Force 45 from 45th Operations Group Detachment 3.

Link to recent Space News article about the unit

[RDMM2081]

With so much (deserved) attention on the capsule flight, docking procedures, and general human nature of this mission, I have been unable to find any information about the flight profile of the booster for this mission.  Is there any information about whether this booster will attempt RTLS, down range ASDS, or possibly expended?  Thanks!

[PahTo]

With so much (deserved) attention on the capsule flight, docking procedures, and general human nature of this mission, I have been unable to find any information about the flight profile of the booster for this mission.  Is there any information about whether this booster will attempt RTLS, down range ASDS, or possibly expended?  Thanks!

I'm pretty sure I read that all manned missions will use the drone ship landing profile to provide for max safety margins throughout the trajectory.

[Jeff Lerner]

With the Starlink launch on Sunday, if a problem occurs with the Falcon, would it delay the DM2 launch ?...the Starlink vehicle is re-launched whereas the DM2 vehicle is new ..

[gongora]

I don't know if it's the final press kit, but here's a 34 page one that addresses all of Commercial Crew with an emphasis on DM2:

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/commercialcrew_press_kit.pdf

Interesting on page 26 that it mentions a "backup splashdown location" in the Gulf.  I'm guessing that would be used if the weather off the Cape was bad, but wouldn't they need to make that call well in advance of splashdown, in order to position recovery assets?

Wonder how long it would take for a recovery fleet to get in position for a Gulf return?  And just where in the Gulf is that location?

The Gulf of Mexico is a third backup location, with the Atlantic being primary and the Pacific being secondary. SpaceX already has capsule recovery infrastructure in place for both Atlantic and Pacific recoveries. ...

Atlantic is primary, Gulf of Mexico is secondary.  On a related note:

0756-EX-ST-2020

Adds five more spots the Dragon recovery ship could be stationed.

Antennas at the following locations track anywhere in the 0-360 azimuth and 0-90 elevation range:
1. Mobile, Jacksonville Recovery Location - Ship Jacksonville, Florida, 30-55-0 North Latitude, 80-15-0 West Longitude
2. Mobile, Daytona Recovery Location – Ship Daytona, Florida, 29-35-17 North Latitude, 80-21-07 West Longitude
3. Mobile, Panama City Recovery Location – Ship Panama City, Florida 29-45-58 North Latitude, 86-01-41 West Longitude
4. Mobile, Tallahassee Recovery Location – Ship Tallahassee, Florida 29-15-00 North Latitude, 84-12-00 West Longitude
5. Mobile, Tampa Recovery Location – Ship Tampa, Florida 28-30-00 North Latitude, 83-45-00 West Longitude

edit: these locations are in addition to Port Canaveral and Pensacola

[Sesquipedalian]

With the Starlink launch on Sunday, if a problem occurs with the Falcon, would it delay the DM2 launch ?...the Starlink vehicle is re-launched whereas the DM2 vehicle is new ..

When a problem occurred with the Falcon on the previous Starlink launch, that was noted as an issue that had to be closed before DM2 could launch.

[ThePonjaX]

With the Starlink launch on Sunday, if a problem occurs with the Falcon, would it delay the DM2 launch ?...the Starlink vehicle is re-launched whereas the DM2 vehicle is new ..

When a problem occurred with the Falcon on the previous Starlink launch, that was noted as an issue that had to be closed before DM2 could launch.

I'm a bit surprised really for this launch. Why risk? wait just 2 weeks more isn't harmful to Starlink. And it's a "old" booster.

[Jarnis]

I'm a bit surprised really for this launch. Why risk? wait just 2 weeks more isn't harmful to Starlink. And it's a "old" booster.

They would not be launching if they thought there was a significant risk that something would go wrong.

Unexpected can happen, but SpaceX is a business. They can't just idle everything for two weeks because of some low risk scenario that might happen and at the worst case, delay another mission.

[king1999]

With the Starlink launch on Sunday, if a problem occurs with the Falcon, would it delay the DM2 launch ?...the Starlink vehicle is re-launched whereas the DM2 vehicle is new ..

When a problem occurred with the Falcon on the previous Starlink launch, that was noted as an issue that had to be closed before DM2 could launch.

I'm a bit surprised really for this launch. Why risk? wait just 2 weeks more isn't harmful to Starlink. And it's a "old" booster.

I am thinking the other way around. The Starlink launch actually slightly reduces the risk of DM2. If the Starlink launch uncovers any issue with the rocket, though very remote possibility, they can improve the rocket before DM2. Of course there will be delay, but it will be less risky by adding one more flight history to F9.

[Rondaz]

Demo-2 Astronauts Bob and Doug are set to arrive at KSC this coming Wednesday!

https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd/status/1261332854761574407