231 replies to this topic

[DocM]

More on DragonRider -

NASA: astronauts and industry experts check out the accommodations in SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft under development.

(see attached image for interior changes)

Attached Images

• 
• 

[DocM]

From Space Technology Expo we get pics of the DragonRider's SuperDraco thruster fairing, of which it will have 4. This is said to be the final profile, or extremely close to it.

Looks a bit like a fire-breathing dragon's nose at that

Attached Images

• 
• 

[DocM]

Grasshopper is now a "Mega-Thrust" rocket, and that's just the landing gear?!? WTF? New engine to go mega-fhrust?

Quote

@Elon Musk ‏ @elonmusk

Landing gear of the mega thrust propulsive landing rocket done (next gen Falcon). First hops soon
>
Making large scale rocket propulsion landing work well is a critical step towards a fully reusable Mars transport system... 
>
...which is the critical breakthrough needed for life to become multiplanetary.

[DocM]

Again from Space Technology Expo - a full pic of DragonRider, albeit with an obstructed view....

[NoLiMiT06]

This stuff is pretty awesome, thanks for all the info and images. Maybe one day we can have a Neowin meeting in space for the cost of a airline ticket

[DocM]

Pics of the Vandenberg AFB, California Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) Falcon 9 / Falcon Heavy pad now under construction. The top pic is an overview, and the middle is the newly erected horizontal integration hangar -

Attached Images

• 
• 
• 

[DocM]

Brownsville, Texas spaceport news -

http://www.brownsvil...ex-cameron.html

Quote

>
The Federal Aviation Administration will hold a scope meeting on SpaceX from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the International Technology, Education and Commerce Campus, or ITECC, on Mexico Boulevard. The meeting will take place in the ITECC center court and is open to the public.

A poster presentation is scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m., with the FAA making a presentation from 6 to 6:15 p.m. Public statements will be taken after that time, with each statement allotted three minutes.
>
Salinas said Perry’s office is the one that connected SpaceX with Brownsville officials.

"The lead came from the governor’s office and there is no doubt in my mind that there is going to be support across the board for this project, including the governor’s office, which has bent backwards" for this project, Salinas said.

http://www.spacenews...texas-site.html

[+remixedcat]

I'm back with startling news....


Might not be able to make it down to florida for the launch... mom's work won't let her have time off now.... I hope it gets delayed again.... sister is still sicky....

very broken about it... it is a once in a lifetime event and it would have been nice to meet the launch team that set this up and socialize with everyone... and watch my dad's dream come true... I'm sure it allready has and he is an awesome higher energy being that can create a universe of his very own....

I realize to me, that's more important and even more awesome then seeing some ashes being launched in a rocket.... that's even more deep and even more real to me...

I'm sure he would never ever fault me for not going....

however if we still get a chance then he would be proud of me either way....

his journey isn't over and niether is any of ours....

*doesn't fight the tears this time*

[DocM]

A delay at this time is unlikely; their software issues have been resolved and the Dragon is fueled and ready to go. There was a possibility yesterday when a redundant GPS device on the ISS failed, but they spend 5 hours replacing it with a backup unit. The only other issue was the pending launch of a Soyuz with 2 Russians and an American on board tonight, and it went just fine and they're on their way to the ISS. Looking like a go for the 19th at this point.

[neoadorable]

Thanks as always for the updates Doc, the launch is really coming up and will be sure to watch it.

What's the latest word, remixed?

[+remixedcat]

still looking unlikely... that sucks becuase I would have posted some photos from the area as well...

[DocM]

By the way - the webcast is going to include questions to SpaceX asked by some of us space geeks.

One expected to come up is the "Falcon 9 v1.1", which may or may not be a new term for the Falcon 9 Block 2 - a larger and even more powerful Falcon 9 that is expected to grow from the current 178 feet to 229 feet tall.

Falcon 9 v1.1 appeared yesterday in a NASA document approving it for mission launches, and the space sites have been abuzz ever since.

[DocM]

Up is a GO

On Tuesday NASA's space station management team approved SpaceX's first commercial flight to the ISS on Saturday May 19, signing off software updates to the Dragon spacecrafts flight computer. Launch from SpaceX"'s Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral is set for 4:55 AM EDT (0855 GMT).

The launch will be broadcast on NASA TV and streamed on both NASA and SpaceX's websites.

http://www.nasa.gov/...satv/index.html

http://www.spacex.com

[DocM]

The FAA held a meeting yesterday in Brownsville, Texas, to discuss the proposed SpaceX Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and Falcon xR (reusable) spaceport with the community. There were several huge rendered images showing what the the facility will look like. Here they are, though shrunken considerably and a couple cropped to show vehicle & pad details.

Not fancy, but they follow the Russian minimalist appNroach and integrate their vehicles horizontally, so no huge buildings or pad structures are required - just a hangar.

Full document and image PDF's on this FAA page....

Attached Images

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

[DocM]

http://portsmouth-nh...eave-portsmouth

Quote

NASA Ships Leave Portsmouth

Liberty Star and Freedom Star are preparing for Saturday's SpaceX launch.

The two NASA ships that have been docked at the New Hampshire State Pier left port this morning, heading to their mission support locations for Saturday's scheduled SpaceX launch.

NASA spokeswoman Katherine Barnstorff said the "Liberty Star" and "Freedom Star" left port around 8 a.m. The two ships had been docked in Portsmouth since last month in preparation for their mission involving the SpaceX launch. The launch was originally scheduled to take place on April 30, but got delayed due to weather.

According to NASA's website, this mission is "a demonstration flight by Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, as part of its contract with NASA to have private companies launch cargo safely to the International Space Station."

Saturday's SpaceX launch is scheduled for 4:55 a.m. The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule will occur from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

During the flight, SpaceX's Dragon capsule will conduct a series of check-out procedures to test and prove its systems, including the capability to rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station, according to a NASA press release.

The primary objectives of the flight include a fly-by of the space station at a distance of 1.5 miles to validate the operation of sensors and flight systems necessary for a safe rendezvous and approach. The spacecraft also will demonstrate the ability to abort the rendezvous. Once these capabilities are successfully proven, the Dragon will be cleared to berth with the space station.