SpaceX F9 / Dragon 2 : CRS2 SpX-21 - Mission Updates : Dec - Jan (2020/21)

[yg1968]

NASA Live: What’s on Board SpaceX CRS-21 (Nov. 20, 2020)

[ChrisC]

NASA Live: What’s on Board SpaceX CRS-21 (Nov. 20, 2020)
[unlisted Youtube link]

Come on, NASA, make this publicly viewable!  All the public got was a little 10 minute highlight video.

[zubenelgenubi: It's playable now.]

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nasakennedy/status/1330972900468383749

Launch Update 🚀 @NASA and @SpaceX are now targeting 11:39 a.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 5 for the launch of the 21st Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-21) mission to the @Space_Station.

🗓️ Mark your calendar: go.nasa.gov/35VFGcg

[Targeteer]

November 24, 2020
MEDIA ADVISORY M20-130
NASA TV Coverage Set for Next Space Station Resupply Mission with SpaceX


NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting 11:39 a.m. EST Saturday, Dec. 5, for the launch of its 21st commercial resupply services (CRS-21) mission to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. CRS-21 will deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment for NASA and is the first mission under the company’s second Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA. Live coverage will air on NASA Television and the agency’s website, with prelaunch events Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5.

The upgraded Dragon spacecraft will be filled with supplies and payloads, including critical materials to directly support dozens of the more than 250 science and research investigations that will occur during Expeditions 64 and 65. In addition to bringing research to the station, the Dragon’s unpressurized trunk will transport the Nanoracks Bishop Airlock. The first commercially funded space station airlock, the Bishop Airlock is an airtight segment used for transfer of payloads between the inside and outside of the station. It provides payload hosting, robotics testing, and satellite deployment while also serving as an outside toolbox for astronauts conducting spacewalks.

About 12 minutes after launch, Dragon will separate from the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage and begin a carefully choreographed series of thruster firings to reach the space station. Arrival to the space station is planned for Sunday, Dec. 6. Dragon will autonomously dock to the station’s Harmony module with Expedition 64 Flight Engineers Kate Rubins and Victor Glover of NASA monitoring operations.

The Dragon spacecraft will spend about one month attached to the space station before it returns to Earth with research and return cargo, with splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. 

Full mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern):

Friday, Dec. 4

    2 p.m. – One-on-one media opportunities with principal investigators for payloads on CRS-21 at the Kennedy Press Site (compliant with COVID-19 safety protocols).
     
    TBD – Prelaunch news conference from Kennedy with representatives from NASA’s International Space Station Program, SpaceX, and the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom at [email protected] no later than 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.
     

Saturday, Dec. 5

    11:15 a.m. – NASA TV launch coverage begins for the 11:39 a.m. launch.

Sunday, Dec. 6

    9:30 a.m. – NASA TV coverage begins for Dragon docking to space station
    11:30 a.m. – Docking

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

Members of the public can attend the launch virtually, receiving mission updates and opportunities normally reserved for on-site guests. NASA’s virtual launch experience for CRS-21 includes curated launch resources, a behind-the-scenes look at the mission, notifications about NASA social interactions, and the opportunity for a virtual launch passport stamp following a successful launch.

To participate, members of the public can register for email updates or RSVP to the Facebook event for social media updates to stay up-to-date on mission information, mission highlights, and interaction opportunities. To find out more, visit:

https://go.nasa.gov/3kaJKJz

Engage kids and students in the science, technology, engineering and math aboard the space station through NASA’s STEM on Station.

Members of the public also can share in the journey through a variety of activities, including:

Virtual Launch Passport

Print, fold, and get ready to fill your virtual launch passport. Stamps will be emailed following launches to all registrants (who are registered via email through Eventbrite). Passports available now:

https://go.nasa.gov/364lPIt

Watch and Engage on Social Media

Stay connected with the mission on social media, and let people know you're following it on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtags #Dragon, #NASASocial, #BishopAirlock. Follow and tag these accounts:

Twitter: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASASocial, @Space_Station, @ISS_Research, ISS National Lab, @SpaceX

Facebook: NASA, NASAKennedy, ISS, ISS National Lab

Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @ISS, @ISSNationalLab, @SpaceX

Learn more about the SpaceX resupply mission at:

https://www.nasa.gov/spacex

[zubenelgenubi]

This flight is now the next SpaceX launch campaign.  Current state of play on the Space Coast:

Scheduled:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2020
December 6 5 - Dragon v2 SpX-21 (CRS-21), Bishop (NanoRacks Airlock Module) - Falcon 9-101 (B1058.4 S) - Kennedy LC-39A - 16:17 39
(launch 22-26 minutes earlier/day)

NET December 10 - SiriusXM SXM-7 - Falcon 9-102 (1051.7 S) - Canaveral SLC-40 - 16:19-18:19
(launch window about 4 minutes earlier/day)

November- NET December 10 - NROL-44: Orion 10 (RIO 10, Mission 8306, Mentor 8 ) (TBD) - Delta IV-H [D-385] - Canaveral SLC-37B - 22:50-03:30
(launch window about 4 minutes earlier/day)

NET December 17 - NROL-108 -  Falcon 9-103 (B1059.5 L) - Kennedy LC-39A / Canaveral SLC-40

December? - Starlink flight 17 (x60) [v1.0 L16] - Falcon 9 (S) - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A
(launch 21-22 minutes earlier/day)

NET January 2021 December - Turksat 5A - Falcon 9 - Canaveral SLC-40 / Kennedy LC-39A
(launch window about 4 minutes earlier/day)

Changes on December 1st
Changes on December 4th
Changes on December 5th
zubenelgenubi

[Jansen]

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2020/11/25/december-build-on-space-coast-florida-rapid-rocket-launch-cadence/6405521002/

After liftoff, the rocket's first stage will return to the Cape's Landing Zone 1 and generate three sonic booms just before touchdown.

Emre Kelly says CRS-21 will be a RTLS launch. I’m not so sure about this.

[AndrewRG10]

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2020/11/25/december-build-on-space-coast-florida-rapid-rocket-launch-cadence/6405521002/

After liftoff, the rocket's first stage will return to the Cape's Landing Zone 1 and generate three sonic booms just before touchdown.

Emre Kelly says CRS-21 will be a RTLS launch. I’m not so sure about this.

I don't see why it can't.

[Jansen]

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2020/11/25/december-build-on-space-coast-florida-rapid-rocket-launch-cadence/6405521002/

After liftoff, the rocket's first stage will return to the Cape's Landing Zone 1 and generate three sonic booms just before touchdown.

Emre Kelly says CRS-21 will be a RTLS launch. I’m not so sure about this.

I don't see why it can't.

Previous discussions in this thread have focused on mass being a factor and filings indicating ASDS.

[kdhilliard]

... and filings indicating ASDS.

Specifically here on the Paperwork thread, where strawwalker and gongora link two FCC applications for "Mission 1410", one listing ASDS operation and the other describing it as a CRS mission.

[Rondaz]

We're getting close. Counting down to December 5! #BishopAirlock

https://twitter.com/Nanoracks/status/1331655239431294976

[Jansen]

Question for the experts: does the Bishop Airlock take up the entire trunk, or is it smaller than the trunk space?

I figure that Bishop’s length is determined by the available space at the end of Node 3, not the trunk size of Dragon. It would be a minor miracle if the space at the end of Node 3 were the same length as the Dragon trunk.

I found some slides showing how it fits into the trunk. Plenty of room.

[scr00chy]

Do we have a confirmed mass for Bishop yet?

It's been discussed here.

[Jansen]

Do we have a confirmed mass for Bishop yet?

You’ve cited 1,059kg before and I tend to believe figures from the manufacturer on this.

[cohberg]

Question for the experts: does the Bishop Airlock take up the entire trunk, or is it smaller than the trunk space?

I figure that Bishop’s length is determined by the available space at the end of Node 3, not the trunk size of Dragon. It would be a minor miracle if the space at the end of Node 3 were the same length as the Dragon trunk.

I found some slides showing how it fits into the trunk. Plenty of room.

Note that the slides are out of date and still show the D1 trunk. D2's Trunk does not have the narrowing for the solar panels / the intrusions for the joints so there is actually additional X + Y  axis room. Much more clearance for Dextre to reach in and grab it.

However, for Z axis, there are 2 restrictions: Dragon's trunk (the ample visual clearance to the end of Dragon's trunk is actually pretty tight on the keep out envelope for F9's 2nd stage) and Node 3's clearance to the radiator (18" at the closest point per NanoRack).

Brickmack also found an interesting patent where NanoRacks is considering an add on the airlock with a cylindrical extension.

This to me denotes that Nanoracks wanted a larger monolithic Bishop but needed to break the airlock into 2 payloads due to launch vehicle constraints (and I'm sure for a variety of other reasons as well).

Do we have a confirmed mass for Bishop yet?

You’ve cited 1,059kg before and I tend to believe figures from the manufacturer on this.

I actually reached out to NanoRacks directly, but after some back and forth they declined to comment on the mass of the airlock. I guess we will have to wait for NASA to publish the official unpressurized mass like they normally do a couple days before flight. Still mainly interested from the perspective of the new max unpressurized payload mass of D2 and if it changed between D1 and D2.

[Raul]

Visualization of issued Launch Hazard Areas for Mission 1410 CRS-21 Cargo Dragon2 mission from KSC LC-39A planned for Dec 05 16:39 UTC, alternatively Dec 06, based on NGA-NOTMAR and FAA-NOTAM messages.
Droneship landing 623km downrange for booster 1058.4.
Planned Stage2 debris reentry in Indian Ocean in window corresponds to the first orbit.

Source messages.

300911Z NOV 20
NAVAREA IV 1163/20(11,26).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   051629Z TO 051715Z DEC, ALTERNATE
   061607Z TO 061653Z DEC
   IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 28-39-01N 080-37-42W, 29-02-00N 080-09-00W, 28-59-00N 080-05-00W, 28-38-00N 080-24-00W, 28-33-02N 080-33-55W.
   B. 32-12-00N 076-43-00W, 32-55-00N 075-49-00W, 32-41-00N 075-36-00W, 31-57-00N 076-27-00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 061753Z DEC 20.

300925Z NOV 20
HYDROPAC 3535/20(61,74,75).
INDIAN OCEAN.
SOUTHEASTERN INDIAN OCEAN.
DNC 03, DNC 04.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS
   051708Z TO 051749Z DEC, ALTERNATE
   061646Z TO 061727Z DEC
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   20-47S 079-46E, 20-12S 081-13E, 25-34S 088-19E, 36-18S 101-47E, 47-20S 119-50E, 48-34S 119-08E, 48-10S 115-48E, 43-51S 104-04E, 37-44S 093-56E, 28-42S 084-39E,
   24-10S 081-13E.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 061827Z DEC 20.

MELBOURNE (FIR/FIC/ACC/COM/MET)
NOTAM #: F3464/20   Class: International   Status: Active      Issue Date UTC: 11/23/2020 2034      Start Date UTC: 12/05/2020 1708      End Date UTC: 12/06/2020 1727
F3464/20 NOTAMN
Q) YMMM/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/999/3616S09816E999
A) YMMM
B) 2012051708 C) 2012061727
D) 2012051708 TO 2012051749
   2012061646 TO 2012061727
PRI RE-ENTRY 051708-051749
BACKUP RE-ENTRY 061646-061727
E) ROCKET LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE
FLW RECEIVED FROM GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
HAZARDOUS OPS WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR ATMOSPHERIC RE-ENTRY AND
SPLASHDOWN OF LAUNCH VEHICLE FALCON 9 CRS-21 AND PARTICIPATING
SUPPORT ACFT WI THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
FROM 2047S  07946E TO 2012S  08113E  TO 2534S  08819E TO 3618S  10147E TO 4720S  11950E TO 4834S  11908E TO 4810S  11548E TO 4351S  10404E TO 3744S  09356E TO 2842S  08439E TO 2410S  08113E TO BEGINNING
F) SFC G) UNL

[theonlyspace]

Do we have a Space X or NASA Press Kit for SpX 21 Cargo Dragon ?

[cohberg]

[Jansen]

Well that seems pretty official

Bishop airlock 1090 kg

[cohberg]

Well that seems pretty official

Bishop airlock 1090 kg

Speculation time: is the extra 30kg (from NR's original 1060kg figure) explained away by the cbm passive target or is it just the newly reported mass of the airlock?

It also looks like the OIGs reporting of D2 unpressurized capabilities are now proven to be factually incorrect based on these numbers.

Maybe that's why they chopped off 2 of the fins from the trunk to make it uphill this time. /s

[russianhalo117]

Well that seems pretty official

Bishop airlock 1090 kg

Speculation time: is the extra 30kg (from NR's original 1060kg figure) explained away by the cbm passive target or is it just the newly reported mass of the airlock?

It also looks like the OIGs reporting of D2 unpressurized capabilities are now proven to be factually incorrect based on these numbers. Maybe that's why they chopped off 2 of the fins from the trunk to make it uphill this time.

Note that the actual document (not all pages shown) list the 1090 figure as including the installation hardware (not included is the internal outfitting hardware that is installed after berthing). 1090 is the total combined mass.