History - May 19: SpaceX to dock with ISS

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Too exciting to be hidden in a mere sub-forum...

NASA: SpaceX Launch Targeted for May 19

I have the utmost respect for these guys. Elon Musk is a Richard Branson on steroids. Not sure about their naming conventions though - "Falcon" launch vehicle, "Dragon" capsule and "Merlin" engines. The Apollo era used mythical character names, so I guess these names are borne of the fantasy novel age? In any case, a phenomenal effort for a still new private company.

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/comm...ticfiring.html

Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, of Hawthorne, Calif., on Friday targeted May 19 for the launch of its upcoming demonstration mission to the International Space Station.

This follows a launch dress rehearsal April 30 by the SpaceX launch team that concluded with a brief engine firing to verify the company's Falcon 9 rocket is ready to launch. The practice countdown also tested some of the systems on the Dragon spacecraft that will fly to the space station.

"Woohoo, rocket hold down firing completed and all looks good!" reported Elon Musk on his Twitter account. Musk is the owner and chief designer for SpaceX, or Space Exploration Technologies. The company's engineers are reviewing data from the test, SpaceX reported.

SpaceX is preparing for its second Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, demonstration to show that private industry can build and launch spacecraft on regular cargo resupply missions to the station. This rocket and spacecraft will not carry people, but will have about 1,200 pounds of supplies onboard for the six astronauts and cosmonauts working on the space station.

The flight is an ambitious test for the company and the agency as they work through a new spacecraft, rocket and rework the fundamental approach to spaceflight. Even if problems develop on this particular mission, NASA officials say the agency will keep the effort going and work to resolve any issues.

Mission plans call for an extensive set of tests in space requiring the Dragon spacecraft to show that it can move precisely in orbit and approach the space station carefully. Only after these tests are successful will the spacecraft be allowed to approach the orbiting laboratory close enough to be grappled and berthed by the station's robotic arm.

Originally, this mission was to include only the launch and tests in orbit rather than physically connecting to the station. If the Dragon is unable to complete its tests successfully, NASA expects to work with SpaceX to resolve whatever issues develop and accomplish a rendezvous and docking on the third demonstration mission. That would not set back any of NASA's plans for future cargo missions to the station because it would be following the parameters the agency originally established for the COTS contract with SpaceX.

As SpaceX continued its launch preparations at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the static test firing gave the launch team a good indication of its readiness. The ignition for the static fire test took place at 4:15 p.m., about 45 minutes after a last-minute technical issue scrubbed the first attempt. After troubleshooting, the launch team recycled the countdown. While good practice for a launch scenario, the issue would have scrubbed the day's opportunity on a real launch day because the rocket has an instantaneous window in order to catch the space station.

The Falcon 9 is powered by nine Merlin engines, and SpaceX reports that all nine were lit and run at full power for two seconds during the test The rocket's second stage is powered by a Merlin vacuum engine, which runs on refined kerosene and liquid oxygen, the same fuel and oxygen combination that was used on NASA’s Saturn V moon rocket first stage.

The SpaceX mission will be a landmark for the privately run company that used the same rocket/spacecraft combination in December 2010, to become the first private organization to launch and recover a spacecraft from Earth orbit.

This time, SpaceX’s Dragon capsule is scheduled to operate in space for about three weeks, including an unprecedented rendezvous and berthing to the space station. If successful, the mission will give the company another place in the record books.

NASA wants private industry to deliver cargo to the orbiting laboratory on a regular basis. NASA awarded COTS space act agreements to SpaceX and Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., to help them develop their rockets and spacecraft.

NASA engineers and flight controllers are closely working with SpaceX ahead of this flight to coordinate the intricate approach, rendezvous and birthing plans needed for this historic demonstration mission to the International Space Station.

[gary]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the heads-up.

It is a sign of the times when you can go to the www.spacex.com web site,
look-up the web page for the Falcon 9 and there is a heading entitled "PRICING".

For the curious -

$54M*

*Paid in full standard launch prices for 2012. Please contact us for details at sales@spacex.com

For any space enthusiasts out there wishing to reward themselves with the trip of
a lifetime, it would be a line item on the credit card statement unlikely to escape the
attention of the spouse.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

I'm not sure that the significance of this is being understood by anyone Gary. For the first time in mans history, a private group of citizens is exploring space beyond the atmosphere - not a government-funded and researched operation. It's quite incredible.

[rogerg (Roger)]

I had no idea this was coming up. Thanks for the thread to raise awareness. Certainly is very much a "first" and I sure hope it goes well.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

I'm still trying to find mention of a planned launch time. Anyone?

[omegacrux (David)]

I was having a search
The best I could find was 'no official date '
I suppose that way the don't look bad if they have to cancel the launch ?

Dave

[silv (Annette)]

exciting!!!
And I've seen the very first time table of a space ship, too!

Notice the tentative times stated by year only.!
Wouldn't that be a smart move for local bus routes...? I wonder. And I think: that would be yet another improvement in our daily life made possible by space science!
It so would deserve a place in this list
http://curiosity.discovery.com/topic/physics-concepts-and-definitions/ten-nasa-inventions1.htm


nah, sorry, really very exciting!! thanks for posting!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

I'm still trying to find mention of a planned launch time. Anyone?

The SpaceX launch webcast is scheduled for 1:15 AM Pacific / 4:15 AM Eastern / 08:15 UTC on May 19 at www.spacex.com

Where did I find out??? On their FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/SpaceX

Piccies
http://www.spacex.com/panorama/index.html

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

The SpaceX launch webcast is scheduled for 1:15 AM Pacific / 4:15 AM Eastern / 08:15 UTC on May 19 at www.spacex.com

Where did I find out??? On their FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/SpaceX

Piccies
http://www.spacex.com/panorama/index.html

Onya Nettie Brilliant! See people... Facebook is where it's at.

So... 08:15 UTC should be (Sydney = UTC +10) around 18:15 or 6:15pm. Most excellent!

[Ric]

Definitely amazing stuff Chris.

It looks like there is a shift happening in the way space travel and exploration may be heading.

Where commercial ventures into space used to be the stuff of Hollywood movies, it now seems that they have the money and technology to make it happen.

Maybe that historic trip to Mars has just got a little bit closer.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

You might be right Ric. I would love to see this happen in my lifetime, I really would.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

6:5pm launch coverage start. How civilised.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Alarm set and armed.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Looking forward to it
Soooo exciting.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

6:55 now...

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Watch it here folks.

http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

18 minutes until it kicks off....

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

9 minutes and 30 seconds

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

05:10

Cool music too... Can't wait

[Forgey (Paula)]

NASA TV has it at 45 minutes till launch.