Dragon C2+ launch (SPLASHDOWN!!)

[Dr Mordrid]

The schedule has been posted for what may be the first ever commercial flight to the ISS.

SpaceX Dragon C2/C3 launch data

Date: Feb. 7, 2012
Time: 8:28 PM
Sunset: 6:07 PM

Night launch

NASA-ese report -

Space-X Dragon Update:

CUCU (COTS UHF Communication Unit) test sessions for the Dryden Radio Frequency (RF) checkout with the upgraded CUCU on ISS were conducted last night and the night before. A backup capability, with better line-of-sight visibility, exists today. This is in support of the Space-X Demo Launch planned currently for 2/7 next year. The Space-X Dragon capsule will deliver pressurized and unpressurized cargo to ISS after launch from Cape Canaveral and then reenter for splashdown off the coast of California. If launched on 2/7, Fly-under will follow on 2/9, Berthing via SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) on 2/10 and Unberth at 2/23 (work is underway to deconflict Dragon activities from the Russian EVA scheduled for 2/14). Eight demonstration objectives are defined for this mission and documented in Flight Rules. For Rendezvous & Berthing there will be a hold point at both 30 m and 10 m, with Go/No-go decision. The ISS crew starts monitoring at 1000m and takes action starting at 200m. Dragon has multiple abort capabilities, each made up of 2 types of burns - large delta-V aligned with X-axis and small delta-V in any body direction.

[Dr Mordrid]

Pic of the C2/C3 Dragon mated to the upgraded trunk with the new solar panel outriggers.

One reason for moving the solar array stowage external was the space inside the trunk had to be expanded to handle some large experiments and hardware needed on the ISS. These will be retrieved using either the ISS's robotic arms and grapple adapters on the trunk payload(s) or manually by an astronaut on the end of a robotic arm.

Examples -

• The NASA Docking System (NDS) docking adapter (needed for all commercial crew)
• The VASIMR plasma rocket testbed
• The NOFBX non-toxic monopropellant testbed (PDF)
• NASA Langley's second Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment -3 (SAGE-III)

In other words - the whole shebang is riding on getting Dragon operational ASAP

Also, NASA pushed the launch right 1 day to Feb. 8th.

[Dr Mordrid]

Jan 7, 2012 update

http://www.spacex.com/updates.php

Solar array deployment test

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRSlNGMTLgs

GOING SOLAR

January 7, 2012

For its first mission to the International Space Station, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will use deployable solar arrays as its primary power source for running sensors, driving heating and cooling systems, and communicating with SpaceX’s Mission Control Center and the Space Station. Dragon’s solar arrays generate up to 5,000 watts of power — enough to power over 80 standard light bulbs. The solar arrays, shielded by protective covers during launch, deploy just minutes after Dragon separates from the Falcon 9 second stage, as it heads towards its rendezvous with the Space Station.

While many commercial satellites and NASA missions such as the Hubble Space Telescope use solar arrays, Dragon will be the first American commercial transport vehicle to do so.

Past American spacecraft like Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle used fuel cells or battery packs. Fuel cells are limited by the amount of chemical reactants (typically oxygen and hydrogen) that the vehicle can carry. Batteries alone are limiting due to their mass and the amount of power they can carry.

Solar energy provides a key benefit — long-term power. Combining Dragon’s solar arrays with a compact and efficient battery pack provides a reliable and renewable source of power. When in the sun, Dragon’s solar arrays recharge the battery pack, and the charged batteries provide power while Dragon passes through the Earth’s shadow. With solar panels, Dragon will have the power it needs for longer trips, whether to the Space Station or future missions to Mars.

Dragon’s deployable solar arrays were developed from scratch by a small team of SpaceX engineers. To ensure they will survive the harsh environment of space, our engineers put the solar arrays through hundreds of hours of rigorous testing including thermal, vacuum, vibration, structural and electrical testing.

SpaceX conducts most of these tests in-house. The video below shows an array full deployment test using testing equipment developed
by SpaceX as part of a NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) milestone.

After testing was complete, the solar arrays headed to SpaceX’s Cape Canaveral launch site for final integration. The solar arrays and fairing covers that protect the folded arrays during launch have since been installed on the Dragon spacecraft in preparation for their first flight to the International Space Station.

Stay tuned for additional updates as we continue preparations for our first flight to the Space Station!

[Dr Mordrid]

Just a thought I forgot to put in the above post: a comparison of the various spacecraft's power systems -

Dragon: 5,000 watts
NASA Orion MPCV: 6,000 watts (high cost/low flight rate)
Shenzhou: 1,500 watts
Soyuz: 1,300 watts

Blue Origin SV: battery (? upgradeable)
Boeing CST-100: battery (upgradeable)
SNC Dream Chaser: battery (upgradeable)

[Evildead666]

Looking very interesting inded\ed

Double Post btw Dr

[Dr Mordrid]

Dup deleted.

Also;

the 1,300 watt rating of Soyuz is a bit misleading as it loses a lot in its distribution system. In reality it only has about 1,000 usable watts. It's unknown yet if some recent upgrades improved this.

Shinzhou is based on the Soyuz physical layout but is much more modern, larger and has 4 panels vs. 2 on Soyuz.

[Dr Mordrid]

The launch on Feb. 8 has been postponed a bit to give both NASA and SpaceX time to resolve KSC and ISS issues without rushing - basically, they want to get this critical flight off with the best chance possible. A new date will be posted soon.

[Dr Mordrid]

The possible new date has not been defined, but possibilities center around March 20th because of logistics related to other spacecraft.

The reason is an abundance of caution in this post P-G catastrophe environment. They're going to do a series of software regression tests to make sure new software updates haven't broken anything on Dragon or the ISS, and they're going to check for any new EM interference they may cause.

[Dr Mordrid]

http://www.spacex.com/updates.php

2012 | Year of the Dragon

January 23, 2012

Today marks the start of the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar, and this year, SpaceX's Dragon will become the first privately developed spacecraft to visit the International Space Station.

Space travel is one of the most difficult of all human endeavors, and success is never a guarantee. This flight introduces a series of new challenges and new magnitudes of complexity; if even the smallest thing goes wrong, we will be forced to abort the mission.

What is guaranteed, however, is our commitment. There will be challenges along the way, but SpaceX will again make history and become the first private company to send a spacecraft to the Space Station. We take this responsibility very seriously and will not stop until we succeed.

Dragon is a spacecraft unlike any other. Not only is it the first privately developed spacecraft to successfully return from Earth orbit, but it is also the only reusable spacecraft in operation today. In the coming days, we'll take a closer look at some of Dragon's advanced technologies in celebration of the Year of the Dragon and the opening of a new era in space travel.

In the meantime, checkout the interactive panorama below for a look inside Dragon in its cargo configuration, as it will be on its first mission to the International Space Station:

Panorama of Dragon cargo racks....

[Dr Mordrid]

A better angle of the assembled Dragon with its new trunk (unpressurized cargo module) and one of the solar panel covers.

[Dr Mordrid]

Pre-WDR (wet dress rehearsal) practice today, full WDR and media photo ops on Thursday. During a WDR they erect the F9/Dragon stack, fuel it up, run pre-launch tests, drain the fuel, lower the stack and roll it back to the hangar for examination & further tests.

[Dr Mordrid]

Better shot I captured off NASA's intranet video feed.

[Dr Mordrid]

The Falcon 9 first stage was loaded with ~39,000 gallons (147,631 l) of liquid oxygen and ~25,000 gallons (94,635.3 l) of RP-1 fuel. ~7,300 gallons (27,633.5 l) of liquid oxygen and ~4,600 gallons (17,412.9 l) of RP-1 fuel were loaded into the second stage.

After missing its first appointed countdown cutoff due to a technical glitch the clock ticked down to T-5 seconds and stopped just before the main engines would normally ignite, then SpaceX controllers sent the command to drain the propellant.

Friday SpaceX demonstrated placing cargo into the Dragon capsule at the pad, a new feature that shows their ability to load perishable or urgent supplies just before launch. This is also practice for placing crews in Dragon at the pad. Next comes a hot-fire test a few days before launch.

Dragon just after the wet dress rehearsal. Note the plastic cover protecting it from the elements - already being called "the condom."

[Dr Mordrid]

Pending a Flight Readiness Review (FRR) on March 16, SpaceX’s Dragon C2/C3 flight to the ISS is targeted for April 30 at 12:22 PM EDT.

It's possible this is an "Instant Window," a launch time that must be met without delays or the mission is scrubbed 3 days until the next launch window opens up. More on this later.

[Dr Mordrid]

NASA TV schedule

April 30, 2012 - Monday

11 a.m. – Dragon Launch Coverage Begins (Launch is scheduled at 12:22 p.m. ET) – KSC (Public, Education and Media Channels)

Flight events

April 30 - Dragon launch

May 3 - Dragon capture and berthing to the Harmony module by the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System robotic arm)

May 21 - Dragon un-berthing from the Harmony module, release by the SSRMS, re-entry and landing