Oops. Report that a #SpaceX #CrewDragon test article was destroyed today during a parachute test. Report is the helicopter pilot dropped it prematurely at lower than planned altitude due to oscillations. Chutes did not open because they were not armed at time of the drop.
So, not necessarily something that shows the hardware was fundamentally flawed, but more of a test execution error?
Probably a good assumption. Awaiting details from on exact cause of oscillations during flight. Pilots reportedly had to drop it to avoid a bad outcome.
Quote from: obi-wan on 03/17/2020 05:26 pmHas there ever been any confirmation that Dragon 2 can carry external cargo? I don’t doubt that it can in the cargo version, but given that the trunk is part of the launch escape mass, I really wonder if they can tolerate any external cargo mass for a crewed Dragon mission.Consider that any mass in the trunk is going to reduce the possible abort acceleration. I doubt they will use the trunk while carrying people. When using D-2 as a cargo carrier is another question entirely.
Has there ever been any confirmation that Dragon 2 can carry external cargo? I don’t doubt that it can in the cargo version, but given that the trunk is part of the launch escape mass, I really wonder if they can tolerate any external cargo mass for a crewed Dragon mission.
SpaceX had an unfortunate incident today during parachute testing for its Crew Dragon capsule, in which the simulated spacecraft (“test article”) became unstable and was dropped early – full statement:
"During a planned parachute drop test today, the test article suspended underneaththe helicopter became unstable. Out of an abundance of caution and to keep thehelicopter crew safe, the pilot pulled the emergency release. As the helicopter wasnot yet at target conditions, the test article was not armed, and as such, the parachutesystem did not initiate the parachute deployment sequence. While the test article waslost, this was not a failure of the parachute system and most importantly no one wasinjured. NASA and SpaceX are working together to determine the testing plan goingforward in advance of Crew Dragon's second demonstration mission.“
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1242618464306675712Quote SpaceX had an unfortunate incident today during parachute testing for its Crew Dragon capsule, in which the simulated spacecraft (“test article”) became unstable and was dropped early – full statement:Quote "During a planned parachute drop test today, the test article suspended underneaththe helicopter became unstable. Out of an abundance of caution and to keep thehelicopter crew safe, the pilot pulled the emergency release. As the helicopter wasnot yet at target conditions, the test article was not armed, and as such, the parachutesystem did not initiate the parachute deployment sequence. While the test article waslost, this was not a failure of the parachute system and most importantly no one wasinjured. NASA and SpaceX are working together to determine the testing plan goingforward in advance of Crew Dragon's second demonstration mission.“
Two of the Dragon test articles at the closer dock near Fishlips, work of some kind was being done. #SpaceX #SpaceXFleet
A few more shots
NASA Update on SpaceX Parachute TestingTo date, SpaceX has completed 24 tests of its upgraded Mark 3 parachute design they are working to certify for use on the Crew Dragon spacecraft that will fly NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. The system was used during the SpaceX in-flight abort test in January.On March 24, SpaceX lost a spacecraft-like device used to test the Crew Dragon Mark 3 parachute design. The test requires a helicopter to lift the device suspended underneath it to reach the needed test parameters. However, the pilot proactively dropped the device in an abundance of caution to protect the test crew as the test device became unstable underneath the helicopter. At the time of the release, the testing device was not armed, and a test of the parachute design was not performed.Although losing a test device is never a desired outcome, NASA and SpaceX always will prioritize the safety of our teams over hardware. We are looking at the parachute testing plan now and all the data we already have to determine the next steps ahead of flying the upcoming Demo-2 flight test in the mid-to-late May timeframe.
Quote from: NASANASA Update on SpaceX Parachute TestingTo date, SpaceX has completed 24 tests of its upgraded Mark 3 parachute design they are working to certify for use on the Crew Dragon spacecraft that will fly NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. The system was used during the SpaceX in-flight abort test in January.On March 24, SpaceX lost a spacecraft-like device used to test the Crew Dragon Mark 3 parachute design. The test requires a helicopter to lift the device suspended underneath it to reach the needed test parameters. However, the pilot proactively dropped the device in an abundance of caution to protect the test crew as the test device became unstable underneath the helicopter. At the time of the release, the testing device was not armed, and a test of the parachute design was not performed.Although losing a test device is never a desired outcome, NASA and SpaceX always will prioritize the safety of our teams over hardware. We are looking at the parachute testing plan now and all the data we already have to determine the next steps ahead of flying the upcoming Demo-2 flight test in the mid-to-late May timeframe.https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2020/03/26/nasa-update-on-spacex-parachute-testing/
Is this the first 'official' dm-2 date publicly from nasa?
It *is* good to hear, though, that the Merlin failure and the chute test failure don't seem to have had significant impacts on those working dates.
Quote from: Vettedrmr on 03/27/2020 08:58 amIt *is* good to hear, though, that the Merlin failure and the chute test failure don't seem to have had significant impacts on those working dates. It shouldn't impact, they weren't able do the chute test because the pilots bailed it. The engines have seen at least 12 firings (engine test, stage test, static firings, 5 launches) entering engines have seen an extra 12 firing for a total 24 firing with an almost 27 if it landed.
