What has not yet been publicly confirmed:- What component was the source of the NTO leakthrough
No. The press release was very carefully worded to separate the component that leaked (unnamed) and the component that fractured and ignited (the check valve).
“If you have a propellant tank, and you fill that tank, and you do have a check valve, it’s conceivable that the check valve leaks backwards … and you push propellant into the pressurization system,” Koenigsmann said. “The amount might be a cup or something like that, or more than a cup, it depends on how the system is being built up. And then it’s there for a while after loading, and when you pressurize you basically open the valves really, really fast.”
Source says "full panic has ensued" as NASA realizes commercial crew may not be ready in first half of 2020; and Gerstenmeier is no longer around to help the companies along, or negotiate with Russians for more Soyuz seats. Focus on Artemis may put ISS program in real danger.
For what it’s worth, the SpaceX schedule, which I’ve just reviewed in depth, shows Falcon & Dragon at the Cape & all testing done in ~10 weeks Elon Musk (@elonmusk)
https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1181572161917607948QuoteSource says "full panic has ensued" as NASA realizes commercial crew may not be ready in first half of 2020; and Gerstenmeier is no longer around to help the companies along, or negotiate with Russians for more Soyuz seats. Focus on Artemis may put ISS program in real danger.
I think the point Eric is trying to make is that Gerstenmeier‘s departure was related to wanting to hasten progress on Artemis, but that it may be having a negative impact on getting CC over the line. Especially as at this stage of the CC program NASA has a lot of work on analysis, reviews, making judgements about acceptable risk etc.
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 10/08/2019 05:01 pmI think the point Eric is trying to make is that Gerstenmeier‘s departure was related to wanting to hasten progress on Artemis, but that it may be having a negative impact on getting CC over the line. Especially as at this stage of the CC program NASA has a lot of work on analysis, reviews, making judgements about acceptable risk etc.That's a more reasonable interpretation than what I thought he was saying. Still, is there actually any evidence that Gerst's unfilled position is actually the problem here? Especially since Bridenstine claims the issues holding SpaceX up are the abort and parachute systems.
In an interview a few minutes ago, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine says they are “definitely” buying more Soyuz seats from Russia as a hedge against more commercial crew delays. Negotiations underway.
In a press conference at IAC, Bridenstine now says it’s “highly likely” NASA will need to buy more Soyuz seats from Roscosmos.
NASA requested Roscosmos space on Soyuz spacecraft in 2020 and 202112:41 10.31.2019 (updated: 12:50 10/31/2019)MOSCOW, October 31 - RIA News. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration requested Roscosmos extra seats on Russian Soyuz spaceships for American astronauts, state corporation CEO Dmitry Rogozin told reporters."I received a warm-looking and informative letter from Brydenstein (NASA head. - Ed.), In which he refers to a certain situation related to the delay of the spacecraft for the delivery of American crews to the ISS. The American side may require additional places in 2020-2021. We proceed from the principles of partnership and will decide how to satisfy these requests, "Rogozin said.Following NASA’s request, Roscosmos decided to allocate money for the construction of two additional Soyuz spacecraft, the department head added.The last place acquired by the Americans is on the Soyuz MS-16 ship, which will start in the spring of 2020. It will ensure that at least one astronaut stays at the station until next fall.In the future, the United States planned to deliver the ISS crew on new Dragon and Starliner ships, the launches of which were repeatedly postponed.
After watching the CEO of Boeing testifying in front of both houses. I kind of feel glad NASA has such tight control over both Dragon and Starliner, even tho I've criticized it in the past. I'm sure Boeing engineers are great, but the company's internal culture seems to be totally broken. A lot of what I'm hearing and reading, IMO resembles a lot to the problems NASA had during the Challenger days.
Quote from: cebri on 10/31/2019 04:23 pmAfter watching the CEO of Boeing testifying in front of both houses. I kind of feel glad NASA has such tight control over both Dragon and Starliner, even tho I've criticized it in the past. I'm sure Boeing engineers are great, but the company's internal culture seems to be totally broken. A lot of what I'm hearing and reading, IMO resembles a lot to the problems NASA had during the Challenger days.There's a pretty big wall in many ways between commercial airplanes and defense/space. It would be a mistake to assume the culture is uniform across a 180,000 person company.
Whoah. Boeing got paid an additional $287.2 million above its fixed price contract to address its schedule slippage.
Damn. "Given that NASA’s objective was to address a potential crew transportation gap, we found that SpaceX was not provided an opportunity to propose a solution even though the company previously offered shorter production lead times than Boeing."
