Does anyone know what the current status of the fifth Crew Dragon capsule is? The last I knew was that it would be ready to fly next year. Thanks![zubenelgenubi: Post merged to this thread.]
Also still watching the EMU's ( The ISS Shuttle Era Spacesuits ). Kent Rominger indicated that #NASA and #SpaceX are working the valve corrosion issue on Dragon saying this was an issue that has plagued other programs. 5/
Has there been a cargo dragon that didn't use the crew arm(gangplank)?
Quote from: rsdavis9 on 01/27/2024 06:02 pmHas there been a cargo dragon that didn't use the crew arm(gangplank)?Basically all of Dragon 1 vehicles. These had late load cargo via a small enclosed space that would pull up to Dragon while in horizontal position. This is similar to how SpaceX will do it for Cygnus as well.
Quote from: Alexphysics on 01/27/2024 07:14 pmQuote from: rsdavis9 on 01/27/2024 06:02 pmHas there been a cargo dragon that didn't use the crew arm(gangplank)?Basically all of Dragon 1 vehicles. These had late load cargo via a small enclosed space that would pull up to Dragon while in horizontal position. This is similar to how SpaceX will do it for Cygnus as well. Alex,How will they get through the Faring without causing a structural issue with a door installed on the faring side? In the encapsulation photo we received (see below), there is no evidence of a door or hatch to allow access inside the faring as well as walking inside to open the Cygnus door. Any thoughts?
Quote from: catdlr on 01/27/2024 07:43 pmQuote from: Alexphysics on 01/27/2024 07:14 pmQuote from: rsdavis9 on 01/27/2024 06:02 pmHas there been a cargo dragon that didn't use the crew arm(gangplank)?Basically all of Dragon 1 vehicles. These had late load cargo via a small enclosed space that would pull up to Dragon while in horizontal position. This is similar to how SpaceX will do it for Cygnus as well. Alex,How will they get through the Faring without causing a structural issue with a door installed on the faring side? In the encapsulation photo we received (see below), there is no evidence of a door or hatch to allow access inside the faring as well as walking inside to open the Cygnus door. Any thoughts?Where is Jim when you need him... IIRC, for other such payloads on other launchers there is a door or access panel in the fairing, but that might require a modified Falcon 9 fairing for Cygnus. Probably not a big deal, but something new.
Quote from: Coastal Ron on 01/27/2024 08:03 pmQuote from: catdlr on 01/27/2024 07:43 pmQuote from: Alexphysics on 01/27/2024 07:14 pmQuote from: rsdavis9 on 01/27/2024 06:02 pmHas there been a cargo dragon that didn't use the crew arm(gangplank)?Basically all of Dragon 1 vehicles. These had late load cargo via a small enclosed space that would pull up to Dragon while in horizontal position. This is similar to how SpaceX will do it for Cygnus as well. Alex,How will they get through the Faring without causing a structural issue with a door installed on the faring side? In the encapsulation photo we received (see below), there is no evidence of a door or hatch to allow access inside the faring as well as walking inside to open the Cygnus door. Any thoughts?Where is Jim when you need him... IIRC, for other such payloads on other launchers there is a door or access panel in the fairing, but that might require a modified Falcon 9 fairing for Cygnus. Probably not a big deal, but something new.Yes, Cygnus is using a modified fairing with a 5 foot by 4 foot door, as per last night's teleconference (14 minutes in).https://www.youtube.com/live/BR_o4RJ7CMc?si=6q8JB4uRxbVf30N6&t=878
Quote from: Sam Ho on 01/27/2024 08:35 pmYes, Cygnus is using a modified fairing with a 5 foot by 4 foot door, as per last night's teleconferenceGreat. When SpaceX plucks the faring and the sea water doesn't harm that door (or it's refurbished), it could be re-used for another Cygnus if that comes about. Thanks, Sam Ho for getting that.
Yes, Cygnus is using a modified fairing with a 5 foot by 4 foot door, as per last night's teleconference
Quote from: catdlr on 01/27/2024 08:57 pmQuote from: Sam Ho on 01/27/2024 08:35 pmYes, Cygnus is using a modified fairing with a 5 foot by 4 foot door, as per last night's teleconferenceGreat. When SpaceX plucks the faring and the sea water doesn't harm that door (or it's refurbished), it could be re-used for another Cygnus if that comes about. Thanks, Sam Ho for getting that.NG has contracted three Flacon-9 flights for Cygnus, so this fairing door is sure to be used at least that many times.If Antares 330 runs late - I believe that has been known to happen in the space industry - there might be further ride opportunities
<snip>I wonder how this is priced. I suspect a customer who wants a custom fairing must pay for the NRE and fabrication. But does the customer decide whether to pay for a expendable or recoverable? Does the customer pay for the recovery attempt? what about a failed recovery?
How will they get through the Faring without causing a structural issue with a door installed on the faring side? In the encapsulation photo we received (see below), there is no evidence of a door or hatch to allow access inside the faring as well as walking inside to open the Cygnus door. Any thoughts?
I wonder how this is priced. I suspect a customer who wants a custom fairing must pay for the NRE and fabrication. But does the customer decide whether to pay for a expendable or recoverable? Does the customer pay for the recovery attempt? what about a failed recovery?
The standard fairing includes one access door in the cylindrical portion; SpaceX can also provide a fairing with up toeight access doors as a nonstandard service. The payload fairing doors are all in fixed positions and circular, with a 610-mm (24-in.) diameter size.
Customer access to the payload while the vehicle is outside of the hangar requires special accommodations and is anonstandard service.
How did we get from D2 to Cygnus fairing design?
Yeah, but Cargo Dragon 1 didn't use a fairing, right?
SpaceX is working with researchers to develop and fly critical science on Dragon, helping to advance humanity’s ability to live and work in space →
ON-ORBIT RESEARCHADVANCING HUMANITY'S ABILITY TO LIVE AND WORK IN SPACEAs the world's leading launch service provider, SpaceX enables researchers the opportunity to frequently fly critical science to orbit on the Dragon spacecraft, which has carried over 1,000 research experiments to and from low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station since 2012.REDUCING IN-FLIGHT HEALTH RISKSConducting research to understand mental and physical impacts while on-orbitVIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITYExploring how a digital realm can improve training, physical fitness, and mental wellbeingMEDICAL CAREANDTRAININGAdvancing available medical care with exploration of just-in-time training and tools DEVELOP YOUR RESEARCHSpaceX is looking for exceptional science and research ideas that will enable life in space and on other planets. Research proposals submitted to SpaceX will be reviewed and evaluated based on mission objectives, scientific and technical merit, and feasibility.SUBMIT PROPOSALCOMPLETE RESEARCH PLANDEVELOPMENTCERTIFICATION & CREW TRAININGLAUNCH!RETURN CURRENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIESResearch proposals for Dragon human spaceflight missions will be accepted through March 15, 2024, and may be included in missions as early as late 2024. Proposal submissions should focus on one of the two following categories:FITNESS-FOCUSEDRESEARCHInnovative solutions to increase efficiency and effectiveness, specifically focused on time efficiencies, resources required, equipment and protocols, and efficacy assessmentsEXPLORATION-FOCUSEDRESEARCHStudies assessing tools that enhance health and well-being during long-duration missions, specifically focused on medical capabilities, virtual or augmented reality as a multipurpose tool, inflight health, and just-in-time training
From post FRR conference of Crew 8.Per Gerst, 5th crew dragon capsule to be ready by Q4 2024. Per Steve Stich, its first mission is likely Crew 10 in 2025.
