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NASA Announces Launch Date and Milestones for Spacex Flight
So, does this effectively mean there will now be some downmass capability,
ie heavier items can be brought back assuming they are actually able to get them inside the station? Brian -- Brian Gaff - Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff' in the display name may be lost. Blind user, so no pictures please! "Alan Erskine" wrote in message . com... Courtesy of Ron Baalke, sci.space.news Dec. 9, 2011 Michael Braukus/J.D. Harrington Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1979/5241 / Josh Byerly Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 RELEASE: 11-413 NASA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH DATE AND MILESTONES FOR SPACEX FLIGHT WASHINGTON -- NASA has announced the launch target for Space Exploration Technologies' (SpaceX) second Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) demonstration flight will be Feb. 7, 2012. Pending completion of final safety reviews, testing and verification, NASA also has agreed to allow SpaceX to send its Dragon spacecraft to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS) in a single flight. "SpaceX has made incredible progress over the last several months preparing Dragon for its mission to the space station," said William Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. "We look forward to a successful mission, which will open up a new era in commercial cargo delivery for this international orbiting laboratory." Gerstenmaier said, "There is still a significant amount of critical work to be completed before launch, but the teams have a sound plan to complete it and are prepared for unexpected challenges. As with all launches, we will adjust the launch date as needed to gain sufficient understanding of test and analysis results to ensure safety and mission success." During the flight, Dragon will conduct a series of check-out procedures that will test and prove its systems in advance of the rendezvous with the station. The primary objectives for the flight include a fly-by of the space station at a distance of approximately two miles to validate the operation of sensors and flight systems necessary for a safe rendezvous and approach. The spacecraft also will demonstrate the capability to abort the rendezvous, if required. Dragon will perform the final approach to the ISS while the station crew grapples the vehicle with the station's robotic arm. The capsule will be berthed to the Earth-facing side of the Harmony node. At the end of the mission, the crew will reverse the process, detaching Dragon from the station for its return to Earth and splashdown in the Pacific off the coast of California. If the rendezvous and attachment to the station are not successful, SpaceX will complete a third demonstration flight in order to achieve these objectives as originally planned. "SpaceX is on the forefront of demonstrating how a partnership between the government and private industry can lead to new capabilities and provide a large return on investment," said Alan Lindenmoyer, program manager for COTS at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "SpaceX is excited to be the first commercial company in history to berth with the International Space Station. This mission will mark a historic milestone in the future of spaceflight," said SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell. "We appreciate NASA's continued support and their partnership in this process." Begun in 2006, NASA's COTS program is investing financial and technical resources to stimulate efforts within the private sector to develop and demonstrate safe, reliable and cost-effective space transportation capabilities. In a multiphase strategy, the program is spurring the innovation and development of new spacecraft and launch vehicles from commercial industry, creating a new system of delivering cargo to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station. Through Space Act Agreements, SpaceX will receive up to $396 million and Orbital Sciences Corporation, NASA's other COTS partner, will receive up to $288 million for the successful completion of all milestones in the agreements. To date, SpaceX has received $376 million for completing 36 out of 40 milestones and Orbital has received $261.5 million for completing 23 out of 29 milestones. For more information on COTS, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/cots For more information on the International Space Station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station For more information on SpaceX or the Dragon spacecraft, visit: http://www.spacex.com -end- NASA Announces Launch Date and Milestones for Spacex Flight |
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NASA Announces Launch Date and Milestones for Spacex Flight
On 11/12/2011 6:11 AM, Brian Gaff wrote:
So, does this effectively mean there will now be some downmass capability, ie heavier items can be brought back assuming they are actually able to get them inside the station? Brian I don't see why not, but hopefully a little more significant than a wheel of cheese. Maybe some non-critical spare parts or long-life food. That way, if the mission isn't successful for some reason (but docking can't be achieved), then it would be of no real loss. I have strong faith in SpaceX - I think they're doing (almost) everything right and their confidence is very justified. |
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NASA Announces Launch Date and Milestones for Spacex Flight
On Dec 10, 6:46*pm, Alan Erskine wrote:
On 11/12/2011 6:11 AM, Brian Gaff wrote: So, does this effectively mean there will now be some downmass capability, ie heavier items can be brought back assuming they are actually able to get them inside the station? Brian I don't see why not, but hopefully a little more significant than a wheel of cheese. *Maybe some non-critical spare parts or long-life food.. * That way, if the mission isn't successful for some reason (but docking can't be achieved), then it would be of no real loss. I have strong faith in SpaceX - I think they're doing (almost) everything right and their confidence is very justified. I believe the payload is non critical stuff, since the last shuttle flights resupplied so much |
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NASA Announces Launch Date and Milestones for Spacex Flight
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