Updates SpaceX Falcon 9 F5 CRS SpX-2 through CRS SpX-12 Updates

[IronRain]

SpaceX delays Dragon’s CRS-3 mission by two weeks



SpaceX made a late postponement to the CRS-3/SpX-3 mission to the International Space Station on Thursday, citing “open items” that require additional time to remedy.
The launch – which was originally set for March 16 – will have to wait until the end of the month at the earliest, as Dragon sets her sights on a new opportunity afforded to her in the busy launch and Visiting Vehicle schedules, both on the Eastern Range and at the orbital outpost.


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[ISProgram]

Probably related to the capsule, but too early to make a judgement.

The contamination is apparently in the trunk section, with concerns that it could outgas and damage the external unpressurized payloads.

...particularly HDEV, I think.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/009/140313delay/#.UyNPwj9dWfs

 

[N_Molson]

They should be ready to launch for this Fall, I'm confident !

 

[Kyle]

Looking for a launch on March 30th, 2014 at 10:51pm EDT (March 31st, 2014 at 0251 UT).

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

So who's the murderer, I mean contamination suspect?

 

[RisingFury]

They should be ready to launch for this Fall, I'm confident !

You REALLY hate SpaceX. I mean hate with a passion :lol:

 

[Pipcard]

So what, we're all giving up on SpaceX now?

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Not I. Finding oil residue on the threads that make up the blankets is a pretty good job of QA. On the down side, it's not a "new" problem, as I read that the shuttle had similar issues.

Problem solved, identified and resolved, now lets go!

 

[Mader Levap]

So what, we're all giving up on SpaceX now?

Of course. Everyone knows that in entire space business only SpaceX is late and slips, making it unforgivable sin (and whole venture being complete failure)...

 

[Kyle]

Another delay, no NET at this time.

Looks like it's related to the Atlas V delay to April.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Another delay, no NET at this time.

Looks like it's related to the Atlas V delay to April.

More precisely, one radar station on the Eastern Range used for launches caught fire..... wned:

The Atlas V/NROL-67 launch has been confirmed to slip to NET April 10 (luckily the earlier slips came just before I would have started a thread about it); but apparently SpaceX is looking for alternative range solutions before officially declaring it (not optimistic, but....)

Well if the delay is official then at least the launch should be back in daylight (assuming mid-April-ish).

EDIT: Confirmed - no joy: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/03/eastern-range-radar-upcoming-launches/

 

[Kyle]

Based on the NROL-67 current NET, I think we can infer that it won't get off the ground NET April 14.

 

[Kyle]

NSF reporting a NET April 14 date.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

NSF reporting a NET April 14 date.

And it's confirmed: SpaceX CRS-3 will launch on April 14 at 4:58 pm EDT (20:58 UTC). This will follow the launch of the Atlas V with NROL-67 on April 10 at 1:45-2:26 pm EDT (17:45-18:26 UTC). :tiphat:

 

[Kyle]

On the eve of a total lunar eclipse, no less.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Dragon CRS-3 is now next on the firing line worldwide! Remember to catch the launch live at http://www.spacex.com/webcast/ on April 14 at 4:20 pm EDT (20:20 UTC)....

....or alternatively on NASA TV starting from 3:45 pm EDT (19:45 UTC)! :tiphat:

 

[Kyle]

The weather should cooperate for a Monday launch, mostly cloudy with a breeze from the SW, but throughout the week it will be absolutely awful as a cut-off low ends up getting draped over the state.

---------- Post added at 08:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:28 AM ----------

And to confirm my thinking, 70% chance of acceptable weather conditions on Monday.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Some outlets are posting that the ISS has a computer issue that might require a spacewalk (?), possibly affecting the launch,

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Some outlets are posting that the ISS has a computer issue that might require a spacewalk (?), possibly affecting the launch,

http://spaceflightnow.com/station/exp39/140411mdm/

IIRC I have seen rebooting of the MDMs in the ISS Daily reports during the past few months, so...... :shrug:

 

[Kyle]

I take it they've tried turning it on and off again..?

Item is considered lost apparently, expect a spacewalk sometime this week to swap out.

---------- Post added at 04:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:56 PM ----------

Clear to proceed despite computer failure.

Via NASA Facebook

International Space Station Program officials and representatives of SpaceX decided Saturday to continue preparations for the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon cargo craft to the space station Monday from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., despite the failure Friday of a backup computer component that provides redundancy for commanding the Mobile Transporter rail car on the truss of the station. A final decision on whether to launch Dragon Monday will not be made until another status meeting is conducted Sunday morning.