posted 12-17-2014 05:23 PM               

Please use this topic to discuss CRS-5 (SpX-5), the fifth of SpaceX's 12 contracted Dragon cargo flights to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) Program.

posted 12-18-2014 07:13 AM               

SpaceX CRS-5 launch rescheduled for January

While the recent static fire test accomplished nearly all of our goals, the test did not run the full duration. The data suggests we could push forward without a second attempt, but out of an abundance of caution, we are opting to execute a second static fire test prior to launch.

Given the extra time needed for data review and testing, coupled with the limited launch date availability due to the holidays and other restrictions, our earliest launch opportunity is now Jan. 6 with Jan. 7 as a backup.

The ISS orbits through a high beta angle period a few times a year. This is where the angle between the ISS orbital plane and the sun is high, resulting in the ISS being in almost constant sunlight for a 10 day period. During this time, there are thermal and operational constraints that prohibit Dragon from being allowed to berth with the ISS. This high beta period runs from Dec. 28, 2014 to Jan. 7, 2015. Note that for a launch on Jan. 6, Dragon berths on Jan. 8.

Both Falcon 9 and Dragon remain in good health, and our teams are looking forward to launch just after the New Year.

posted 12-18-2014 07:20 AM               

...there are thermal and operational constraints that prohibit Dragon from being allowed to berth with the ISS.

posted 12-18-2014 07:28 AM               

The beta angle is the angle between the orbital plane and a line drawn from the Sun to the Earth. As the beta angle increases, the ISS is exposed to more sunlight per orbit, and eventually it will be in constant sunlight — in other words, there is no passing into the Earth's shadow for extended periods of time. This can create thermal problems, so special attitudes are chosen to counter these effects.

The [visiting vehicle] also has thermal constraints under these conditions. Since the attitude requirements of the ISS and [vehicle] would conflict when docked, [visting vehicle]/ISS flights are scheduled to avoid periods when the beta angle exceeds 60 degrees.

posted 12-18-2014 11:02 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Headshot:
...then there should, theoretically, be times when they are also in constant darkness.

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Imagine the earth with its shadow (umbra) cone projecting behind it, away from the sun. The shadow moves up and down 24 degrees with the season due to the tilt of the earth's axis.

Now take a hula hoop which represents the orbit. You can rotate it up and down (inclination) and around the earth's axis (right ascension of the ascending node, RAAN, if you must know). Under some rotations the entire hoop is outside of the umbra cone.

However, it is impossible for the entire hoop to be INSIDE of the umbra cone, which is what is required for a period of constant night.

According to my handy SMAD book (Space Mission Analysis and Design) the longest eclipse (night) period for a satellite at space station altitude is a little over 36 minutes. This is regardless of inclination or RAAN. This happens when the orbit (hula hoop) crosses right through the middle of the umbra cone.

posted 12-29-2014 02:36 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
For now, the launch of DSCOVR remains set for Jan. 23.

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posted 01-05-2015 01:41 PM               

Drone spaceport ship heads to its hold position in the Atlantic to prepare for a rocket landing

posted 01-05-2015 01:44 PM               

Ask me anything at 9pm Florida time (focused on tomorrow's 6am rocket launch)

posted 01-07-2015 06:18 PM               

NASA, SpaceX Set New Launch Date for Next Resupply Mission to Space Station

The fifth official SpaceX cargo mission to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services contract now is scheduled to launch at 4:47 a.m. EST (0947 GMT) Saturday, Jan. 10, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA Television coverage of the launch will begin at 3:30 a.m. EST.

The previous launch attempt on Tuesday was aborted with one minute, 21 seconds left on the countdown clock because engineers observed drift on one of two thrust vector control actuators for the Falcon 9's second stage and stopped the countdown.

A Saturday launch will result in the Dragon spacecraft arriving at the space station Monday, Jan. 12. Expedition 42 Commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore of NASA will use the station's 57.7-foot robotic arm to capture Dragon at approximately 6 a.m. EST. Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will support Wilmore as they operate from the station's cupola.

NASA TV coverage of grapple will begin at 4:30 a.m. EST. Coverage of Dragon's installation to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module will begin at 8:15 a.m. EST.

If the launch does not take place Saturday, the next launch opportunity would be Tuesday, Jan. 13 at about 3:36 a.m. EST.

posted 01-10-2015 04:14 AM               

The launch of a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule to the International Space Station had potential to put a new, historic spin on the adage "what goes up, must come down."

With regards to the first stage landing, Elon Musk tweeted:

Rocket made it to drone spaceport ship, but landed hard. Close, but no cigar this time. Bodes well for the future tho.

Ship itself is fine. Some of the support equipment on the deck will need to be replaced...

Didn't get good landing/impact video. Pitch dark and foggy. Will piece it together from telemetry and... actual pieces.

posted 01-10-2015 11:32 AM               

Grid fins worked extremely well from hypersonic velocity to subsonic, but ran out of hydraulic fluid right before landing.

Upcoming flight already has 50% more hydraulic fluid, so should have plenty of margin for landing attempt next month.

Am super proud of my crew for making huge strides towards reusability on this mission. You guys rock!

posted 01-11-2015 03:14 PM               

Photos of the barge show signs of blast and burn damage to cargo containers and possible wreckage from the rocket covered by tarps on the platform’s deck. The rest of the vessel appeared undamaged.

posted 01-11-2015 04:36 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by issman1:
Any further details regarding its location over here?

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posted 01-13-2015 09:01 AM               

Opening the Dragon hatch for the first time- it has that "new spaceship smell"- very nice!

posted 01-13-2015 10:23 AM               

It already looks a lot roomier now! Unloading a cold bag with immune cell samples for @ESA exp T-Cell.

posted 01-16-2015 03:16 AM               

Turns out we recovered some impact video frames from drone ship. It's kinda begging to be released...

Before impact, fins lose power and go hardover. Engines fights to restore, but...

Rocket hits hard at ~45 deg angle, smashing legs and engine section.

Residual fuel and oxygen combine.

Full RUD (rapid unscheduled disassembly) event. Ship is fine minor repairs. Exciting day!

posted 01-19-2015 01:19 PM               

Hans Koenigsmann, SpaceX's vice president for mission assurance, has said reusability only makes sense if it is easy.

"The key is reusability that is easy," Koenigsmann stated. "That doesn't require taking the rocket apart and replacing a lot of parts here and there, but if you have reusability, even for a limited number of flights, that is in the airplane-type category, then that is the long-term vision."