SpaceX Updates

[docm]

Dragon pressure hull

Dragon inside

Dragon heat shields

Falcon 9 interstage

 

[tanstaafl76]

It's amazing they can fabricate all that themselves, they must have a lot of excellent technicians and a great facility.

 

[docm]

It's called passion meets shared vision.

 

[Boris_Badenov]

Air Force: SpaceX's Falcon 9 first launch planned for Nov 29
CAPE CANAVERAL - After being removed from the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Space Wing’s launch schedule for five months, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is back on the board. The most recent 90-day Eastern Range forecast released Tuesday has the new rocket's maiden launch planned for November 29 at 11 a.m. local time.

[snip]

SpaceX vice president Larry Williams said that November 29 would be the earliest date that the Falcon 9 would launch, though he said that date could slip as first launches can sometimes be a challenge. But he stressed the first flight of Falcon 9 is "months away, not years" as some critics have claimed.

He confirmed that the company was also considering flying the rocket with SpaceX's Dragon capsule that is supposed to deliver cargo to the space station. Originally the rocket was to fly only with a five-meter fairing. But the final decision to test the spacecraft for the first time with the rocket has not been finalized, he said.

“This is a big deal,” said Williams “We are now on the Air Force range manifest and are working towards a launch before the end of the year. We are certainly not a fantasy.”

 

[Boris_Badenov]

They've got a new update posted.
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

 

[docm]

Key info being a confirmation that F9 - flt 1 will carry a Dragon;

We are now only a few months away from having the inaugural Falcon 9 launch vehicle on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral and ready to fly! The actual launch date will depend on weather and how we fit into the overall launch schedule at the Cape, so that is a little harder to predict. Based on prior experience, launch could be anywhere from one to three months after Falcon 9 is integrated at the Cape in November.

This initial test flight will carry our Dragon spacecraft qualification unit (see photos below), providing us with valuable aerodynamic and performance data for the Falcon 9 configuration that will fly on the following COTS and CRS missions for NASA. The second Falcon 9 flight will be the first flight of Dragon under the NASA COTS (Commercial Orbital Transportation Services) program, where we will demonstrate Dragon's orbital maneuvering, communication and reentry capabilities.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Now THAT's an update. It's about time. I wish they would do more of these, it's good PR, excites people, and keeps the hope alive we have a future in space after the next few years. I've always urged them to do more of this, but my advice has fallen on deaf ears. Hopefully this shows a change in their philosophy. Thanx for the news guys, both here and on the Falcon 9 thread in M&L.

Wayne

 

[tanstaafl76]

Wow they are really doing it! Go SpaceX!

 

[docm]

Just got this in the mail. Images related to DragonEye from the last update were attached.

http://spacex.com/press.php?page=20090925

SPACEX'S DRAGONEYE NAVIGATION SENSOR SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATED ON SPACE SHUTTLE

Hawthorne, CA (September 25, 2009) – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces the successful demonstration of a proximity sensor, called DragonEye, on NASA's STS-127 shuttle mission. DragonEye launched aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on July 15th, 2009, and was tested in proximity of the International Space Station (ISS) in preparation for future visits by SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft.

With the help of NASA's Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office, DragonEye, a Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor, has undergone flight system trials aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in preparation for guiding the Dragon spacecraft as it approaches the ISS. The DragonEye LIDAR system provides three-dimensional images based on the amount of time it takes for a single laser pulse from the sensor to the reach a target and bounce back, providing range and bearing information from the Dragon spacecraft to the ISS.

DragonEye will make its operational debut on the final flight of the Dragon spacecraft under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, where the spacecraft will demonstrate the ability to berth with the ISS.

Developed in just 10 months from concept to final hardware, DragonEye was delivered to NASA's Kennedy Space Center on February 16th, 2009, for integration with the Space Shuttle Endeavour, successfully completing all of NASA's payload safety milestones.

Using flight data gathered onboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, DragonEye was able to detect the ISS and track it through various approach and departure maneuvers. Upon Endeavour's return, the DragonEye system was returned to SpaceX, where flight data from the sensor was retrieved and is currently under evaluation.

"The verification and functionality of SpaceX's DragonEye are a testament to the unique government-commercial partnership created by NASA's COTS program," said Gwynne Shotwell, President, SpaceX. "SpaceX appreciates NASA's support with DragonEye and is proud to be a part of a program that is shaping the future of American spaceflight."

Together with SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle, the Dragon spacecraft is under contract with NASA to provide cargo resupply to the ISS when the Space Shuttle retires. This contract includes 12 flights between 2010 and 2015, with a guaranteed minimum of 20,000 kg of pressurized and unpressurized cargo to be carried to the ISS. SpaceX is the only COTS contender that has the capability to return cargo to Earth.
>

 

[neutrino78x]

Are there dashboard/control panel pics for Dragon?

 

[docm]

Not that I've seen, but I'd hazard a guess much of it will be multiple touch-screen LCD's where ever practical.

 

[Boris_Badenov]

Are there dashboard/control panel pics for Dragon?

SpaceX: Dragon to the ISS [COTS-D]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w3hPA4WpNE[/youtube]

 

[Boris_Badenov]

I found this while looking for the previous one. Musk makes a gentleman's bet that he'll put a man on Mars by 2020.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn7obiurdxg[/youtube]

 

[SpacexULA]

Are there dashboard/control panel pics for Dragon?

Surprisingly not yet. Neither has there been a completed interior of a dragon shot, all have been raw aluminum walls.

 

[docm]

1) after searching it looks like the only Dragon dashboard pics have shown up in the concept animation Boris posted;

2) Engine firings coming soon for F9-flt1;

http://tdtnews.com/story/2009/09/29/60961/

SpaceX preparing for next rocket engine test in October

by Fred Afflerbach | Business Writer
Published: September 29, 2009

The rocket company in McGregor that is known for rattling windows around town is keeping quiet about the exact time it next fires up its rocket engines.

SpaceX spokeswoman Cassie Kloberdanz said the California-based company would conduct two separate tests of its Falcon 9 rocket engine assembly at the McGregor site "no earlier than Oct. 1."

The first test is scheduled to last 10 seconds. The second test, which will be conducted on a later day, will fire for 30 seconds.

Trying to pinpoint exactly when that rumbling would begin isn't practical, Ms. Kloberdanz said, because these are complicated tests. When scientists and engineers are ready to fire up nine of their Merlin rocket engines at once, they don't have time to notify everyone.

Ms. Kloberdanz said McGregor folks have been great about understanding what SpaceX does, despite the occasional racket. "They've been really good to us," she said. "They put up with all kinds of stuff."
>

 

[docm]

clongton has posted something interesting at nasaspaceflight.com (reply #83).

One of his sources states that SpaceX has licensed the Rocketdyne RS-84 engine. RS-84 is a staged combustion re-usable KeroLox engine with > 1m lb/ft of thrust.

If true it sounds like they're short-cutting their path to a really heavy lifter.

Another possibility is that they licensed it to use some of its tech in a large, but lower cost, Merlin. Use? Perhaps for use in F9H's strap-ons or as part of a clustered booster similar to that fake SpaceX timeline posted last year.

A few of those in the first stage would be the core of a real beast, and a contender for that commercial HLV Augustine was talking about.

 

[access]

It seems a little too iffy to me although it would be cool, he could easily be reciting info he got a month or two ago and i can't see why they would bother their current plans look like 3 F9 stage 1's attached together which is something they've already got so why change that. Then again I don't know the tech well enough to be sure of that either.

 

[mr_mark]

Everyone must check out the new side by side footage of flight 4 and flight 5 at spacex.com videos.....so cool!

 

[docm]

Download link (WMV).... (right-click/save link as)

 

[docm]

SPACEX ANNOUNCES SECOND DRAGONLAB USER CONFERENCE OCTOBER 29TH IN HAARLEM, NETHERLANDS

Expressions of Interest Being Accepted at http://www.DragonLabUserConference.com

Hawthorne, CA (October 1, 2009) – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) has announced a second user conference for its commercial product DragonLab™, a free-flying, reusable spacecraft capable of hosting pressurized and unpressurized payloads to and from orbit. The event will focus on the needs of European users and take place on October 29th, 2009, in Haarlem, Netherlands.

DragonLab provides a platform for in-space experimentation, including recovery of pressurized and some unpressurized payloads, as well as deployment of small spacecraft. As a complete system, DragonLab provides a highly capable spacecraft platform that includes propulsion, power, thermal control, environmental control, avionics, communications, thermal protection, flight software, guidance, navigation and control, entry, descent and landing, and recovery.

The user conference is an opportunity for potential customers to explore DragonLab's capabilities, as well as present customer-specific interests and requirements. The agenda includes an overview of the Dragon spacecraft, concept of operations, payload accommodations and cost parameters.

DragonLab is an alternate configuration of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft which, along with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, has been contracted by NASA to provide cargo resupply services to the International Space Station as early as 2010.

To express interest in attending the user conference, visit http://www.DragonLabUserConference.com .

Space is limited and all participants must receive confirmation from SpaceX in order to attend this event. For more information or questions regarding the user conference, please email DragonLab@spacex.com.
>

 

[access]

Everyone must check out the new side by side footage of flight 4 and flight 5 at spacex.com videos.....so cool!

here's a link
http://www.spacex.com/multimedia/videos.php?id=42&cat=recent

 

[wtrix]

Everyone must check out the new side by side footage of flight 4 and flight 5 at spacex.com videos.....so cool!

here's a link
http://www.spacex.com/multimedia/videos.php?id=42&cat=recent

The flame of the second rocket seems to be a bit more fuel rich, cause overall the flame is approximately the same length, but residue burning lasts a little longer on the second one.

 

[docm]

The SpaceX RS-84 looks to be real. Very real.

Another poster on NSF has confirmed what clongton posted the other day: that SpaceX licensed the RS-84 early last year and has been running a black program working towards a heavy launcher using it - initially sounds to be a Falcon 9 Heavy using just 3 engines and not 27. This to meet military requirements - they're uncomfortable with lots of engines vs. just a few. Having such a beast in the stable would also give them a leg up on developing an entry for a much larger HLV competition.

NSF post;
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index. ... #msg486219

RS-84

 

[docm]

Sounds like SpaceX will be testing the F9-flt1 first stage this week.

"bright lights" and "loud noises" indeed

Link....

SpaceX testing rocket engines this week

By Zlatko Filipovic

MCGREGOR - The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, also known as Space X, will be testing their products sometime during the week of October 5th.

Their testing site is in McGregor, about 20 miles southwest of Waco.

They advise the public to stay calm during the testing which may involve bright lights in the sky and loud noises.

 

[docm]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Emily Shanklin | Director, Marketing and Communications

media@SpaceX.com

310.363.6733

SpaceX Announces Completion of Acceptance Testing for Falcon 9 First and Second Stages

Both Stages Headed To Cape Canaveral Next Month in Preparation for Launch

McGregor, Texas (October 5, 2009) – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces the successful completion of acceptance testing of both the Falcon 9 first and second stages in preparation for the first flight of Falcon 9. Acceptance testing took place at SpaceX’s Texas Test Site, a 300-acre structural and propulsion testing facility, located just outside of Waco, Texas.

This recent series of tests subjected both stages to a variety of structural load and proof pressure tests to verify acceptability for flight. Acceptance testing began in late summer with the first stage and concluded last week at SpaceX’s Texas facility with completion of acceptance testing for the second stage.

“The successful completion of these tests marks another key milestone in our preparation for Falcon 9’s first flight,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “Our team will now move forward with a static fire of the first and second stages, the last major milestone before hardware is transferred to SpaceX’s launch pad at Cape Canaveral.”

The inaugural flight of Falcon 9 is a demonstration flight, and is expected to occur one to three months after Falcon 9 arrival at Cape Canaveral next month. The final launch date will depend on range scheduling, weather conditions and time required to make adjustments for any vehicle-to-ground equipment interactions. For its first flight, Falcon 9 will launch a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit into orbit to provide SpaceX with valuable aerodynamic and performance information.

The second flight of the Falcon 9/Dragon system is the first flight under NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, a new commercial-government partnership under which SpaceX will demonstrate the ability to dock with the International Space Station, transfer cargo, and return cargo safely to Earth.

This is one huge interstage (green)