Space X - Dragon Launch Today
Discussion
Einion Yrth said:
Well, that was the easy bit 
- Now we get to see if their on-orbit manoeuvering is up to scratch.
I don't think they have to do a lot of orbital plane shifting to reach the ISS. Unlike the Shuttle which had a resonable ability to change its orbital plane (although not as good as Apollo), the Dragon is more like a Soyuz in that the booster rocket is intended to put the spacecraft more or less on course for its rendezvous target. It will only need minor atitude thruster firing to nudge it close to the ISS where it will be grabbed by the remote manipulator arm and "docked" manually by the ISS crew. - Now we get to see if their on-orbit manoeuvering is up to scratch.PA man has just said that the boost and coast phase brings it to within 37 miles of the ISS. The small thrusters will alter the course slightly to bring it closer to the point where it can be grabbed.
Eric Mc said:
I don't think they have to do a lot of orbital plane shifting to reach the ISS. Unlike the Shuttle which had a resonable ability to change its orbital plane (although not as good as Apollo), the Dragon is more like a Soyuz in that the booster rocket is intended to put the spacecraft more or less on course for its rendezvous target. It will only need minor atitude thruster firing to nudge it close to the ISS where it will be grabbed by the remote manipulator arm and "docked" manually by the ISS crew.
PA man has just said that the boost and coast phase brings it to within 37 miles of the ISS. The small thrusters will alter the course slightly to bring it closer to the point where it can be grabbed.
Well that would explain why the launch window's so small.PA man has just said that the boost and coast phase brings it to within 37 miles of the ISS. The small thrusters will alter the course slightly to bring it closer to the point where it can be grabbed.
ks... Missed it. Set my alarm, and then went out to pay my electric bill without thinking. 
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/05/22/spacex_lau...
The plan is a staged approach with a few tests to ensure the ISS crew can abort or override the automatic approach if needed.
Space taxis, really quite impressive. Finally some real engineering from my generation (after Concord and Apollo we had some catching up to do, I mean, this internet thing is nice, but it doesn't really 'do' anything does it?)
The plan is a staged approach with a few tests to ensure the ISS crew can abort or override the automatic approach if needed.
Space taxis, really quite impressive. Finally some real engineering from my generation (after Concord and Apollo we had some catching up to do, I mean, this internet thing is nice, but it doesn't really 'do' anything does it?)
Great to see that this launch has gone well - I've been following SpaceX's fortunes for a while, as a mate of mine is one of the engineers on the propulsion systems, and it seems like they're a very good organisation to work for - with the energy of a start-up but also the absolute professionalism that's needed in their industry!
As others have said - it's good to see the next evolution in space travel. I remember as a kid being enthralled by hearing about every single shuttle launch (and narrowly missing a launch that got postponed when we went to Florida) - I hope that the media continue to give some decent coverage to this program, to help engage and interest the next generations of kids in science and engineering.
As others have said - it's good to see the next evolution in space travel. I remember as a kid being enthralled by hearing about every single shuttle launch (and narrowly missing a launch that got postponed when we went to Florida) - I hope that the media continue to give some decent coverage to this program, to help engage and interest the next generations of kids in science and engineering.
I am really enthused by this project. They do seem like a dedicated and professional bunch. I wish them well.
I loved the lift off this morning. It had that slow majestic climb off the pad I associate with early generation rockets and the Saturns. I'm sure that is mainly because it is a liquid fueled rocket only and doesn't use solid rocket boosters for that initial kick.
I loved the lift off this morning. It had that slow majestic climb off the pad I associate with early generation rockets and the Saturns. I'm sure that is mainly because it is a liquid fueled rocket only and doesn't use solid rocket boosters for that initial kick.
It said on today's Spaceflight Now article that SpaceX has spent $1.2bn plus $0.38bn of NASA money to get to where they are now. For me that is the real achievement, and while the technology might not be game changing, the approach and the low cost are.
Caruso said:
It said on today's Spaceflight Now article that SpaceX has spent $1.2bn plus $0.38bn of NASA money to get to where they are now. For me that is the real achievement, and while the technology might not be game changing, the approach and the low cost are.
A lot of balls by the investors. Could be the best thing to happen to space flight having commercial interest, and fierce competition. 
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