SpaceX Dragon CRS-4 / ISS mission thread


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The first stage left McGregor earlier this week. Things are on a roll for another <30 day turnaround if AsiaSat 6 flies on time, or close to it.

NASA press notice,

August 15, 2014

MEDIA ADVISORY M14-136

NASA Opens Media Accreditation for Next SpaceX Station Resupply Mission

Media accreditation now is open for the launch of NASA?s next cargo resupply flight to the International Space Station by SpaceX. The Dragon spacecraft tentatively is scheduled to lift off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida no earlier than 2:38 a.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 19.

This will be SpaceX?s fourth cargo resupply servicing mission and will deliver nearly two tons of supplies, science experiments, and technology demonstrations to the space station.

Media events will take place at CCAFS and Kennedy Space Center in Florida. International media without U.S. citizenship must apply for credentials no later than 4:30 p.m. Aug. 22 to access CCAFS to cover prelaunch and launch activities. International media without U.S. citizenship who do not wish to attend events at the Air Force Station must apply by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 4 for access to Kennedy. The deadline for U.S. media is 4:30 p.m. Sept. 12. Late credential submissions will result in limited access to launch activities.

International journalists are required to submit a scanned copy of their "I" visa and passport. Green card holders must submit a scanned copy of their card. All scanned documents must be emailed to jennifer.p.horner@nasa.gov for credential request processing.

All media representatives must present two forms of legal, government identification to access Kennedy. One form must be a photo ID, such as a passport or driver's license.

Media accreditation requests need to be submitted online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Questions about accreditation should be addressed to Jennifer Horner at jennifer.p.horner@nasa.gov, 321-867-6598 or 321-867-2468.

For more information about SpaceX?s commercial resupply missions, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/spacex

-end-

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  • 4 weeks later...

Dragon CRS-4 to ISS scheduled fly only 12 days after AsiaSat 6!!

https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/509357008789970944

@pbdes (SpaceNews)

SpaceX's Shotwell: 12 days between Falcon 9 launches will be tight, but we're planning Sept. 19 launch to ISS for NASA. #WSBW2014

James Dean (@flatoday_jdean)

09/09/2014 16:39

NASA/JSC confirms SpaceX still targeting Sept. 19 launch of next ISS resupply launch.

Ambition squared! Everyone thought it would be moved right, but apparently it.

Manifest,

2 urgently needed spacesuit batteries needed for a forthcoming spacewalk. 4 more go up on Soyuz later.

ISS-RapidScat: ISS rapid scatterometer, an ocean winds imager

SSIKLOPS: Space Station Integrated Kinetic Launcher for Orbital Payload Systems.

BD: Bone Densitometer, a test of bone mineralization sensors using 40 mousetronauts as test subjects

Arkyd-3: Planetary Resources (asteroid mining) space telescope testbed

SPINSAT: technology demonstrator for electric solid propellant (ESP) thrusters from Digital Solid State Propulsion (DSSP). Electrically activated solid fuel satellite maneuvering thruster testbed

Made In Space, Inc. 3D printer

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SpaceFlightNow is reporting,

Falcon 9 CRS-4 ISS resupply mission.

Launch Date: Sept. 19, 2014

Window: 0638 GMT, 0238 Local (EDT)

Backup Date: Sept. 20, 2014

Window: 0616 GMT, 0216 Local (EDT)

Windows are T-0 = instantaneous, meaning it has to launch exactly on time or scrub to the backup. Each extra day of delay the window is 22 minutes earlier due to orbital mechanics.

Not yet range confirmed, and there is an Atlas V launch on the 16th. If Atlas V shrubs it may force CRS-4 to go later, maintaining a ~3 day spacing to reset the range.

LiveStream SpaceX channel (and SpaceX.com) coverage usually starts 20-25 minutes before launch. We'll get a more accurate time closer to the launch.

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Concerning the 1st stage landing attempt, some think that the missing legs might help the 1st stage survive. The legs and ultimately the tanks have to absorb a lot of force at touchdown. That's no problem on land, but in the water it's tricky.

Any thoughts?

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We'll see tonight. It may survive water landings better without legs, but they had to test them in flight and deploys anyhow.

After this they stand down to get ready for November's Dragon V2 pad abort test

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We'll see tonight. It may survive water landings better without legs, but they had to test them in flight and deploys anyhow.

After this they stand down to get ready for November's Dragon V2 pad abort test

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There WILL be a legless water landing attempt. This time the boost-back will be also be sideways and they'll try to hit a GPS spot.

Along the US Eastern seaboard, look low above the horizon about 4-5 minutes after launch and you may see the upper stage firing. It'll be a pale yellow object moving NNE.

Webcasts.

YouTube Live Event (Chromecast-able)

SpaceX site

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

LiveStream

http://new.livestream.com/spacex/events/3400686

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Launch Update

Weather forecast has improved to 70% favorable for tonight's launch attempt. Falcon 9 and Dragon targeted to lift off at 1:52am EDT -- live webcast will begin here at 1:32am.

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T-7 min.

Subtitle text: Space Launch Complex 40, Florida, Earth.

Autosequence and guidance started.

6 minutes. Internal power.

Gantry claw opening, prepping to retract.

3 Minutes

1 MINUTE!!

Launch!!

Down the chute.

MAX-Q

Still nominal.

Stage separation

S2 ignition.

Stage 1 AND 2 still nominal

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