NASA Announces Launch Date and Milestones for Spacex Flight

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

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

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.

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

In article om,
says...

Since Boeing has lost manned space with the shutdown of Shuttle, what
are the odds that it will buy SpaceX to keep its foot into manned space
programme ?

And if SpaceX gets a manned Dragon to work, giving the USA access to the
station once again, wouldn't that greatly reduce any politicial need to
fund Nasa to develop a manned capsule ?

SpaceX isn't the only company working on a orbital manned space vehicle.
NASA is still working on Orion (just renamed), Boeing is working on a
"commercial" capsule, and there are other US companies also in the game
as well.

If things go well, NASA will no longer have a monopoly on US manned
spaceflight. This would be a "good thing" for the industry.

Jeff
--
" Ares 1 is a prime example of the fact that NASA just can't get it
up anymore... and when they can, it doesn't stay up long. "
- tinker