posted 02-10-2017 09:18 AM               

Please use this topic to discuss SpaceX's tenth Dragon cargo flight to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract.

CRS-10 is SpaceX's first launch from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

posted 02-10-2017 09:24 AM               

Targeting Feb. 18 for Dragon's next resupply mission to the space station — our first launch from LC-39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The Falcon 9 presumably will be erected later today [Feb. 10] for an engine hot fire test to clear the way for launch on Feb. 18.

posted 02-10-2017 11:35 AM               

And there she is! The SpaceX Falcon 9 is awaiting static fire at the historic NASA Kennedy Launch Complex 39A.

posted 02-10-2017 02:14 PM               

SpaceX today rolled a Falcon 9 rocket on to pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, but is not expected to complete a static fire test until Saturday morning at the earliest. The two-stage rocket rolled up the pad's stand horizontally on rails and reportedly was being lifted vertical on Friday afternoon in preparation for the test.

Falcon 9 rocket now vertical at Cape Canaveral on launch complex 39-A. This is the same launch pad used by the Saturn V rocket that first took people to the moon in 1969. We are honored to be allowed to use it.

posted 02-12-2017 04:20 PM               

First static fire test of Falcon 9 at historic launch complex 39A completed in advance of Dragon's upcoming mission to the space station.

Here's a video clip of today's Falcon 9 hot fire, shot from the roof of the CBS bureau

posted 02-17-2017 12:03 PM               

Investigating a (very small) leak in the upper stage. If ok, will launch tomorrow.

posted 02-17-2017 03:45 PM               

We found a helium leak in the spin system on the second stage. I believe we found it. We will continue to work root cause today and make sure we are back on track for a 10:01 a.m. lift off tomorrow. As far as I know right now, we're going to pursue the count and go into it.

Our primary mission is obviously to deliver Dragon into its orbit. After we do that, we like to dispose of the second stage. So what we want to do is be able to relight the engine to dispose of the second stage and get it out of orbit as soon as possible. That part of the mission could be impacted by this leak.

posted 02-17-2017 10:07 PM               

Looks like we are go for launch. Added an abort trigger at T-60 secs for pressure decay of upper stage helium spin start system.

posted 02-18-2017 09:02 AM               

Next earliest opportunity is Sunday (Feb. 20) at 9:38:59 a.m. EST (1538 GMT).

From Elon Musk on Twitter:

All systems go, except the movement trace of an upper stage engine steering hydraulic piston was slightly odd. Standing down to investigate.

If this is the only issue, flight would be fine, but need to make sure that it isn't symptomatic of a more significant upstream root cause.

By the way, 99% likely to be fine (closed loop TVC would overcome error), but that 1% chance isn't worth rolling the dice. Better to wait a day.

posted 02-19-2017 08:40 AM               

From SpaceX on Twitter:

Falcon 9 first stage has landed at LZ-1. Dragon confirmed in good orbit.

posted 02-19-2017 09:18 AM               

I only hope that some kids out there spent some time away from Xbox to witness and learn about real adventure.

posted 02-19-2017 12:57 PM               

AFSS takes ground-based mission flight control — personnel and equipment — out of the control center and replaces it with on-board Positioning, Navigation and Timing sources and decision logic. The benefits of AFSS include increased public safety, reduced reliance on range infrastructure, reduced range spacelift cost, increased schedule predictability and availability, operational flexibility, and launch site flexibility.

An AFSS on-board flight computer uses pre-established, programmed mission rules to determine if the launch vehicle poses an unacceptable hazard to people or property and initiates required actions to mitigate risk and terminate flight, if necessary.

"AFSS is an essential part of the Air Force Space Command's vision for the future of Assured Access to Space as the system increases range safety with its over-the-horizon capability and its ability to support multiple objects in simultaneous flight, such as a first-stage booster return," said Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, 45th Space Wing commander.

posted 02-19-2017 01:24 PM               

Falcon 9 first stage landing at LZ-1 as seen from a drone camera.

posted 02-20-2017 04:00 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by SkyMan1958:
I do wonder if the small maneuvering rockets use hydrazine...

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posted 02-22-2017 06:03 AM               

The SpaceX Dragon aborted its approach to the space station due to an incorrect value associated with the on board computer. Next attempt tomorrow.

Dragon is in good health and will make another rendezvous attempt with the space station Thursday morning.

posted 02-22-2017 06:20 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Dragon operations, both cargo and crew, will be based from LC-39A.

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posted 02-22-2017 02:27 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
LC-40 will support commercial, military and (possibly) non-Dragon NASA payloads going forward.

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posted 02-23-2017 07:36 AM               

Capture confirmed! Dragon now attached to the space station's robotic arm.