Launch News SpaceX Falcon 9 F3 COTS2+ Updates

Looks like we might have a delay with the next Soyuz launch, which might in turn cause yet another delay on COTS-2/3.

Hate to play the devil's advocate here, but I would be surprised if COTS-2/3 flew before May.
 
Looks like we might have a delay with the next Soyuz launch, which might in turn cause yet another delay on COTS-2/3.

Hate to play the devil's advocate here, but I would be surprised if COTS-2/3 flew before May.


I still say March :lol:
 
No. Progress uses the probe-and-cone system that is used on the Russian side of the station. Dragon currently uses a CBM berthing port (not a docking port, the vehicle has to be captured by other means and held together with the other port for berthing) but could be flown with the APAS-95 or NDS ports in future (for the manned variant).

Progress and Dragon cannot dock.

Can you describe the difference between a berthing port and a docking port?
 
Simplified answer...
CBM (berthing ports) have to be powered up, and have bolts that are torqued down after mating. Something berthed to the station more or less becomes part of the station long term (cargo/supply ships notwithstanding).
With a manned craft, a docking port is preferable, in the event of an emergency, you can depart the station in a more expeditious fashion using a docking port.

I'm note sure of the exact sizes, but the CBMs are much larger and allow for bigger packages to move from the supply ship to station (and back).

Discussion here regarding the Russian docking methods http://orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=22235
 
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Can you describe the difference between a berthing port and a docking port?

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_berthing_mechanism"]Common Berthing Mechanism[/ame]

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgynous_Peripheral_Attach_System"]Androgynous Peripheral Attach System[/ame]

The CBM has more of a basis in forming strong, semi-permanent connections. A docking port can capture two spacecraft together and connect them using no other hardware, while the CBM needs to be held in place (i.e. by the SSRMS) to make a connection.
 
Docking:
One spacecraft impacts another with a low relative velocity, with capture/soft dock occurring upon impact. Connections are automatically made upon docking collar retraction/hard dock.

Berthing:
One spacecraft approaches another, then nulls relative velocity. A robot arm grapples the visiting spacecraft and positions it below the berthing port, whereupon hooks extend to capture & pull the visiting spacecraft into the berthing port, with hard mate then occurring via the driving of bolts. Connections are made manually through the hatchway.
 
Basically, to name examples to Pete's definitions.

APAS = Shuttle, PMA 1, 2, 3.

CBM = all berthing ports on Harmony, Unity, Tranquility, ect.
 
SPACE.com: 1st Private Spaceship Flight to Space Station May Slip to April: NASA:
The launch of the first privately built spaceship to the International Space Station is targeted for late March, but will most likely lift off in early April, a top NASA space station official said today (Feb. 2).

{...}

The capsule will now launch no earlier than March 20, but a more precise date will be announced in the coming weeks, SpaceX and NASA officials have said.

"There are no big problems being worked but there's a lot of little things they're trying to wrap up," NASA's station program manager Mike Suffredini told reporters in a news briefing today. "It's a challenging date, so I wouldn’t hold my breath that that's going to be the date we'll actually launch. We'll fly within a couple weeks of that date, probably."

{...}

With testing and modifications currently underway, SpaceX and NASA will likely be able to set a new launch date within a couple of weeks, Suffredini said.

"We've agreed that in a couple weeks we’ll try to pick the new launch date," he added. "Then we'll have software regression testing done, we'll have a good handle on what work we have remaining. We'll set a date at that point if we can't meet March 20."

{...}
 
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So many delays...
 
SpaceX, I liked you but I'm getting annoyed. Launch or I'll support SLS as sole role cargo delivery vehicle to the ISS.

Perhaps it will launch before you do... :lol:
 
Not strictly related, but didn't seem worth its own thread: SpaceX test-fires the SuperDraco thrusters for its future Launch Escape/Soft-landing system that could land the Dragon on any body with Earth-standard or lower graity.

Hawthorne, CA – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has successfully test fired SuperDraco, a powerful new engine that will play a critical role in the company’s efforts to change the future of human spaceflight.

“SuperDraco engines represent the best of cutting edge technology,” said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Chief Technology Officer. “These engines will power a revolutionary launch escape system that will make Dragon the safest spacecraft in history and enable it to land propulsively on Earth or another planet with pinpoint accuracy.”

The SuperDraco is an advanced version of the Draco engines currently used by SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to maneuver on orbit and during reentry. As part of SpaceX’s state-of-the-art launch escape system, eight SuperDraco engines built into the side walls of the Dragon spacecraft will produce up to 120,000 pounds of axial thrust to carry astronauts to safety should an emergency occur during launch.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUUnYgo1-lI&feature=player_embedded"]SpaceX Testing - SuperDraco Engine Firing - YouTube[/ame]
 
At 15,000lb of thrust two SuperDracos could easily lift a full dragon capsule (also about 15,000 lb if my maths are right), meaning that as long as two (opposing) of the eight SuperDracos fire it could still land propulsively, assuming that the smaller dracos are sufficient for attitude control in the atmosphere. Plus, of course, the SuperDracos are already being counted on to light the first time every time since they're used for launch escape. That makes me feel better about the propulsive landings, from a reliability point of view.
 
funny-gifs-and-headdesk.gif

Sitting up: Announcement.
Falling: When it didn't happen in November.
Thump!: Now.
 
I don't know what all of you are complaining about. Better delay success than rush failure. I hope they meet Mach 20th, but this is SpaceX - they breathe with a delay.
 
Not strictly related, but didn't seem worth its own thread: SpaceX test-fires the SuperDraco thrusters for its future Launch Escape/Soft-landing system that could land the Dragon on any body with Earth-standard or lower graity
And it was already posted in CCDev2 updates thread. :P
 
March looks like it's not in the cards anymore also from what I gather. The Dragon is also getting a fresh repaint to address thermal issues with docking on the ISS, this is a significant reason for the over a month delay. If I where to go out and speculate, I'd tag a launch date around the 2nd week of April.
 
I don't know what all of you are complaining about. Better delay success than rush failure. I hope they meet Mach 20th, but this is SpaceX - they breathe with a delay.

That's all fine and well, the problem is that these constant delays are not sustainable. Let's say for example that SpaceX launches in the beginning of April. That's what, a five month delay? And then the next flight is scheduled for a month or two later (say), and it also gets a five month delay- and now we only have two Falcon 9 flights in the entire year.

That sort of flight-rate isn't sustainable.
 
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That's all fine and well, the problem is that these constant delays are not sustainable. Let's say for example that SpaceX launches in the beginning of April. That's what, a five month delay? And then the next flight is scheduled for a month or two later (say), and it also gets a five month delay- and now we only have two Falcon 9 flights in the entire year.

That sort of flight-rate isn't sustainable.

Why do you assume that the next launch will have a 5 month delay? Delay on the first flight are expected. There's a lot of work to be done to get Dragon to safely approach and berth with the ISS. Once SpaceX does it for the first time, they'll be able to streamline their operations for the next flight.
 
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Why do you assume that the next launch will have a 5 month delay? Delay on the first flight are expected. There's a lot of work to be done to get Dragon to safely approach and berth with the ISS. Once SpaceX does it for the first time, they'll be able to streamline their operations for the next flight.

But this isn't the first flight, it's the third (and the second of Dragon). Depends on whether we're talking about problems with the spacecraft or the launch vehicle/infrastructure.

My concern is if the delays carry on to the fourth, fifth flights, etc. If they don't, good for SpaceX. If they're still in that phase of needing to perfect and tinker with things by then, they have a problem.
 
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