posted 03-25-2021 05:37 PM
There are two ports where commercial US capsules can dock with on the Harmony module at the International Space Station (ISS). So we start the list of such scheduled operations with whole crew on board of relocating capsules.
The first relocation Crew-1 Resilience capsule from PMA-2/IDA-2 port (Forward) to PMA-3/IDA-3 port (Zenith) is scheduled on April 5, 2021. The main reason such operation is free docking port for future docking operation {time in GMT/UTC}:
Resilience (Crew-1)...April 5, 2021...38m30s...10:30:00-11:08:30...F to Z.
Endeavour (Crew-2)...July 21, 2021...50m54s...10:44:59-11:35:53...F to Z.
Endeavour (Crew-6)...May 6, 2023...38m00s...11:23:00-12:01:00...F to Z.
The first post will be updated as more data will be available.
MSS Member
Posts: 1003 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 03-26-2021 11:09 AM
NASA video
Expedition 64 inflight event with Discovery Channel on March 26, 2021, Victor Glover and Soichi Noguchi describe what is going to happen during the Crew Dragon relocation.
posted 03-26-2021 02:53 PM
Why the need for a relocation if there are two docking ports?
MSS Member
Posts: 1003 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 03-26-2021 04:46 PM
The SSRMS cannot reach into the trunk of the Cargo Dragon docked to the Forward port (PMA-2). So all Cargo Dragons must dock to Zenith (PMA-3).
The first Crew-1 relocation will test all systems associated with this operation.
This Crew-1 relocation is for Crew-2 to dock to PMA-2 (currently sets on April 23). That allows OFT2 (currently sets after Crew-1 returning sometime in May) and Cargo SpaceX-22 (currently sets on June 4) to dock to PMA-3.
Relocation will be performed at the end of the Crew Dragon flight (similar to the Russian Soyuz).
All relocation operations are planned in advance due to all operations on board the ISS and the exchange of ships with their cargoes.
Robsch New Member
Posts: 8 From: Registered: Feb 2018
posted 03-28-2021 02:40 PM
Is there a similar reason for relocating Soyuz and Progress?
In the history of the ISS, there were only four Progresses (M1-4 in 2001, M-15M in 2012, M-21M in 2014 and MS-1 in 2016) relocations to the same docking port as before the disconnection and except the last testing docking with a new craft lasted more days.
So there weren't a real relocation like Soyuz. I suspect that a reason was defferent then crewed Soyuz.
MSS Member
Posts: 1003 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 04-05-2021 07:22 AM
The first Crew Dragon relocation on ISS (April 5, 2021).
Before:
After:
Paul78zephyr Member
Posts: 797 From: Hudson, MA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 04-05-2021 05:52 PM
Could anyone explain why it was necessary for all four crew members to be aboard the Crew Dragon for the relocation considering it is a fully autonomous operation? Is this also the case when the Soyuz relocates (i.e. full crew)?
MSS Member
Posts: 1003 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 04-05-2021 06:11 PM
The principle of safety is the same for the Dragon as it is for the Soyuz. Safety considerations are decisive. There are currently seven people on the ISS: Soyuz has a capacity of three people and Dragon four people, so one cannot replace the other in a safe return to Earth.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 50391 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-05-2021 06:31 PM
As Maciej (MSS) says, it is to protect against the scenario where the crew vehicle cannot redock with the space station.
If the Dragon (or Soyuz) cannot reconnect, then the crew members aboard would return to Earth, ensuring no one is left aboard the space station without a ride back home.
Paul78zephyr Member
Posts: 797 From: Hudson, MA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 04-05-2021 07:07 PM
Robert, thank you for clarifying - that makes perfect sense and I did not consider it.
MSS Member
Posts: 1003 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 07-22-2021 12:19 AM
The second Crew Dragon relocation on ISS (July 21, 2021).
posted 03-25-2021 05:37 PM
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