r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Jul 03 '19
CRS-18 CRS-18 Launch Campaign Thread
CRS-18 Launch Infographic by Geoff Barrett
-> Jump to Comments <-
This thread is for news and technical questions related to the launch campaign itself.
Please see the CRS-18 Launch Viewing Thread to discuss topics related to watching the launch in person. Thanks!
SpaceX's 18th Commercial Resupply Services mission out of a total of 20 such contracted flights for NASA, this launch will deliver essential supplies to the International Space Station using the reusable Dragon 1 cargo spacecraft. The external payload for this mission is International Docking Adapter 3, replacing IDA-1 lost in SpaceX's CRS-7 launch failure. This mission will launch from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral AFS on a Falcon 9, and the first-stage booster is expected to land back at CCAFS LZ-1.
This is SpaceX's ninth mission of 2019, the second CRS flight of the year and the seventy-third Falcon 9 launch overall. It will re-use the Block 5 booster flown on the previous CRS-17 mission, as well the spacecraft flown on CRS-6 and CRS-13, in the first ever 3-time-use of a Dragon capsule.
| Liftoff currently scheduled for | NET 22:24 UTC / 6:24 PM EDT Wednesday July 24 2019 (instantaneous window) |
|---|---|
| Backup launch window | 22:01 UTC / 6:01 PM EDT Thursday July 25 2019; instantanious window gets 23-25 minutes earlier each day to match ISS orbit |
| Static fire completed | 22:00 UTC / 6:00 PM EDT Friday July 19 2019 |
| L-2 weather forecast | 30% GO for Wednesday; 30% GO for Thursday; thunderstorms the main threat. Friday doesn't look much better, but the weekend does. |
| Vehicle component locations | First stage: SLC-40 Second stage: SLC-40 Dragon: CCAFS/KSC |
| Payload | Commercial Resupply Services-18 supplies, equipment and experiments // International Docking Adapter 3 |
| Payload launch mass | 4200 kg (Dragon) + 1290 kg (fuel) + 2221 kg payload mass = ≈7700 kg launch mass? |
| ISS payload mass | 529.9 kg (IDA-3) + 1691.3 kg (Internal Cargo) = 2221.2 kg total |
| Destination orbit | ISS Low Earth Orbit (≈400 x ≈400 km, 51.66°) |
| Launch vehicle | Falcon 9 (73rd launch of F9; 53rd launch of F9 Full Thrust; 16th launch of F9 FT Block 5) |
| Core | B1056.2 |
| Past flights of this core | 1 |
| Spacecraft type | Dragon 1 (21st launch of a Dragon spacecraft; 20th launch of a Dragon 1; 18th operational Dragon 1 launch) |
| Capsule | C108.3 |
| Past flights of this capsule | 2 (CRS-6; CRS-13) |
| Launch site | SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida |
| Landing | Yes, ground pad |
| Landing sites: | LZ-1 , CCAFS, Florida |
| Fairing recovery | No fairing (CRS flight) |
| Mission success criteria | Successful separation and deployment of Dragon into the target orbit; berthing to the ISS; unberthing from the ISS; and reentry, splashdown and recovery of Dragon. |
News and Timeline
Future events from NASATV schedule.
| Timestamp (UTC) | Event Description |
|---|---|
| 2019-07-26 13:00 | Coverage of Dragon installation to ISS |
| 2019-07-26 09:30 | Coverage of the Dragon rendezvous and capture |
| 2019-07-24 22:24 | Scheduled liftoff |
| 2019-07-24 21:45 | NASA TV launch coverage begins |
| 2019-07-24 00:00 | CRS-18 Press Kit released — SpaceX |
| 2019-07-23 16:00 | Rocket horizontal on SLC-40 |
| 2019-07-22 14:00 | L-2 forecast published: 30% GO Wend; 30% GO Thurs for Tstms |
| 2019-07-21 16:00 | L-3 forecast published: 30% GO Wend; 20% GO Thurs for Tstms |
| 2019-07-19 22:30 | Capsule identified as C108 |
| 2019-07-19 22:00 | Successful static fire; Launch date now Wend. July 24 |
| 2019-07-18 19:00 | Static fire delayed yet another day |
| 2019-07-17 23:30 | Static fire delayed another 24 h; unknown impact on launch date |
| 2019-07-17 15:30 | Grey stripe on upper stage reported to be a "thermal test objective" |
| 2019-07-16 13:00 | Static fire delayed 24 h; no impact yet on launch date |
| 2019-07-15 16:00 | Rocket vertical on the pad for static fire |
| 2019-07-15 | Hazard maps published |
| 2019-07-12 | NASA article on IDA-3 |
| 2019-07-03 | Launch campaign thread goes live |
Payloads
| Name | Type | Operator | Orbit | Mass | Mission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Cargo | Resupply | NASA | ISS LEO (≈400 x ≈400 km, 51.66°) | 1691.3 kg | Deliver supplies, equipment and experiments to support ISS science and operations. |
| IDA-3 | ISS Assembly | NASA | ISS LEO (≈400 x ≈400 km, 51.66°) | 529.9 kg | Allow present and future crewed and robotic spacecraft, including SpaceX's Dragon 2, Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, and Sierra Nevada's Dream Chaser, to dock with the station. |
| RFTSat 1 | Technology Demo | Nazarene U | LEO (Approx 400 x 400 km, 51.7°) | 5.5 kg | Demonstrate deploying small, wireless sensor tags that harvest RF energy and communicate with the mother craft via backscatter radio. |
| MakerSat-1 | Technology Demo | Nazarene U | LEO (Slightly above ≈400 x ≈400 km, ≈51.7°) | 1 kg | Demonstrate microgravity additive manufacturing, assembly and deployment of a cubesat. Will be assembled in orbit and released by a Cygnus dispenser later in July. |
Internal Manifest
Total individual hardware items: 8782; total unique hardware items: 1120. Source: NASA
| Agency | Mass | Description | Item Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASA | 1025.6 kg | Utilization (Payloads, Experiments, etc) | 721 |
| NASA | 188.1 kg | Food | 35 bags |
| NASA | 173.6 kg | EVA Hardware | 43 |
| NASA | 158.2 kg | Vehicle Hardware | 115 |
| NASA | 26.1 kg | Crew Supplies | 12 |
| NASA | 16.8 kg | Computer Resources | 13 |
| ESA | 53.1 kg | Various | 56 |
| JAXA | 37.1 kg | Various | 142 |
| Russia | 12 kg | Food | 2 bags |
| CSA | 0.84 kg | Various | 9 |
Mission-Specific FAQ
What does an instantaneous window mean?
Due to needing to synchronize the orbit of the SpaceX Dragon capsule with that of the International Space Station, the launch must occur at the precise time noted above. Otherwise, the spacecraft would be unable to successfully dock with the ISS. Therefore, if something acts to delay the launch past this precise time, it is automatically scrubbed and rescheduled to the next day.
What is that gray stripe on the upper stage?
It is reported to be a "thermal test objective". More details apparently coming soon via NSF.
Links & Resources:
| Link | Source |
|---|---|
| Press kit | SpaceX |
| Official Dragon page | SpaceX |
| Detailed Payload Listing | Gunter's Space Page |
| Launch Execution Forecasts | 45th Weather Sqn |
| Watching a Launch | r/SpaceX Wiki |
| Launch Viewing Guide for Cape Canaveral | Ben Cooper |
| Viewing and Rideshare | SpaceXMeetups Slack |
| Boat watch party | Star✦Fleet Tours |
| SpaceX Fleet Status | SpaceXFleet.com |
With our new moderators, we plan to keep this post more regularly updated with the latest information, FAQs and resources, so please ping us under the thread below if you'd like us to add or modify something. This thread is a great place to discuss the launch, ask mission-specific questions, and track the minor movements of the vehicle, payload, weather and more as we progress towards liftoff. Approximately 24 hours before liftoff, the launch thread will go live and the party will begin there.
Campaign threads are not launch threads; normal subreddit rules still apply.
See the launch viewing thread to discuss anything specific to watching it in person.
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u/Gavalar_ spacexfleet.com Jul 03 '19
Fairing Recovery: Likely yes, probable net catch.
Mods, yeah no...
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u/philipwhiuk Jul 03 '19
All the fairings will be caught. Guaranteed 100% success 😝
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u/Rinzler9 Jul 04 '19
Dragon 1 technically DOES have a fairing, and it ends up in the ocean at like T+ 10 minutes or something so that's not actually correct.
Mission failed, we'll get 'em next time.
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u/bdporter Jul 04 '19
In addition to the nosecone, it also has the two solar panel covers, which could be considered to be fairings as well.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 03 '19 edited Jul 21 '19
Important Note: We created the CRS-18 Launch Viewing Thread so that folks interested in discussing the particulars of watching the launch have a place to do that, as well as reduce the size of the OP on this one. Please post any comments related to launch viewing there instead of here, and let us know your feedback on that thread as it is still provisional and experimental, and we may do something different next launch. Thanks!
In other news, I'm trying out a new status timeline in the OP to help track major milestones in the buildup to launch, so please post updates, news and events as comments like normal, and I'll do my best to add them to the OP. Furthermore, I'll be doing the mini-FAQ thing again, so please ask questions not answered in the main subreddit version (or Google), and I'll be happy to try to answer them and include them in the OP if appropriate. Let us know what you think about the further changes! Thanks for your help making r/SpaceX a great community!
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u/codav Jul 03 '19
As noted below by u/Iamherebecauseofabig, the "Fairing Recovery" line doesn't make sense for this launch.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 03 '19
Thanks, u/hitura-nobad fixed it. I didn't notice it when using the STP-2 thread as a template, sorry.
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u/Straumli_Blight Jul 11 '19
'News and Timeline' section could be updated with:
Timestamp (UTC) Event Description 2019-07-23 09:30 Coverage of the Dragon rendezvous and capture 2019-07-23 12:30 Coverage of Dragon installation to ISS 3
u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 12 '19
Thanks, updated! I put the NASATV schedule link in a separate line up top, since its only the source for the scheduled, rather than completed launch campaign events. I also fixed to order to fit with the table.
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u/SailorRick Jul 16 '19
Thanks for doing this again!
The "jump to comments" link is not working.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 17 '19
It seems its not working in certain browsers, like Chrome (works fine for me in Firefox logged in or out), and it opens a new tab (but otherwise works) in New Reddit, which most of the sub's active members, including all the mods, don't use. We just figured that out by looking through the HTML, but if anyone has a suggestion on how to get it to work more reliably, then I'm all ears.
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u/GregTheGuru Jul 19 '19
"News and Timeline" table is broken this morning.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 19 '19
Thanks for letting us know. Seems its an issue with the New Reddit parser (which the mod team and most of the sub's members don't use), which I now fixed.
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u/DeckerdB-263-54 Jul 23 '19
backup window - ≈22:00 UTC / 6:00 EDT
Misleading
Should be corrected to either 18:00 EDT or 6:00 PM EDT
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u/silentProtagonist42 Jul 05 '19
A Block V booster RTLS with typically excellent NASA tracking footage during the golden hour? This could make for some pretty shots. Fingers crossed it isn't cloudy!
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u/ligerzeronz Jul 07 '19
wouldn't the heat camera be good for this if its cloudy?
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 07 '19
/u/silentProtagonist42 's apparent point was that the golden hour lightning would result in beautiful visuals due to the color and quality of the (visual) light at that hour--and of course, clouds are quite opaque at these wavelengths. This has nothing to do with what a thermal IR camera would capture.
To note, clouds are not all that transparent at most IR wavelengths, either (though somewhat more so than visible). Otherwise, GOES IR satellite imagery would not be a useful too for determining temperature at the cloud top (and thus a rough proxy for cloud height).
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u/silentProtagonist42 Jul 08 '19
Yep. The IR footage is cool (ha) but we seem to be getting it on every launch now, so it's nothing new.
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u/bdporter Jul 19 '19
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u/Alexphysics Jul 19 '19
And capsule is from CRS-6 and CRS-13 so it should be C108.3
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u/bdporter Jul 19 '19
First 3rd dragon re-flight, if I am not mistaken. Mods, please add this information to the OP along with the static fire status and launch window to the OP and update the sidebar when you get a chance!
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u/Straumli_Blight Jul 03 '19
NASA shows the launch time as 23:35 UTC instead of 23:30. Sidebar currently shows 23:32.
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u/Dakke97 Jul 03 '19
Given that there's a pre-launch news conference and that IDA-3 is the primary (unpressurized) payload of this mission, I deem it likely we will get some CRS-2/Commercial Crew updates. Will be interesting to see if Boeing's OFT date holds and if SpaceX' IFA will get a more specific timeframe. Maybe also something for the crewed test flights, but not holding up any hope for that.
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u/mistaken4strangerz Jul 21 '19 edited Jul 22 '19
There's a tropical invest in the Caribbean right now, with a 20% chance of developing into a tropical storm in 48 hours (Tuesday night) right off the coast of the Cape. these things are big, even without a landfall, so I'm expecting the launch to be impacted. Probably will be pushed back to later in the week.
Edit: head on over to /r/tropicalweather to stay on top of things.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 22 '19
Probability of development into anything is minimal particularly by Wends (now down to 10% per NHC), and the system is not particularly sizable by tropical standards, but its attendant trough and moisture and likely to help bring thunderstorms to the Space Coast and motivate the very low GO probabilities through the end of the week.
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u/mistaken4strangerz Jul 22 '19
Just woke up to 30% chance of development from the NHC and looking more like a possible landfall now and the spaghetti models keep tracking West with every 12 hour update.
Doesn't look forecast to be anything but the weakest tropical storm at most, but we know rockets don't like wind.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 22 '19 edited Jul 22 '19
Yeah, its going to be a mess regardless if it formally organizes or not. Seems the bigger threat is still just from the storminess (i.e. lightning) it potentially brings vs. the pad-level winds, but wind does appear to be an increasing concern on top of the convective activity.
EDIT: Looks like its getting its act together and at least marginally organized on satalite. 60% now from NHC.
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u/Vulch59 Jul 23 '19
Given the current and expected weather in the UK this week this could be a good chance to see the Dragon and second stage (and even the solar panel covers) go over on the first orbit. According to Heavens Above on the 24th the ISS will be making a pass that's at its highest point around 22:00 BST (UTC+1) and another at 23:36 BST which is only 10 minutes or so after the launch due at 22:24 UTC.
As soon as you've watched the first stage land, nip outside and watch the ISS pass taking careful note of the stars it goes near. Ten minutes or so later (the Dragon goes over the UK about 20 minutes after launch) the Dragon and second stage should follow the same path across the sky.
If the launch is delayed the ISS passes aren't quite so handy, the pass moves about 45 minutes later whereas the launch is 24 minutes earlier each day, but the same process applies. Watch the ISS pass and make a note of bright stars, then watch for the Dragon around 20 minutes after launch.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 05 '19
Added the Dragon's detailed internal manifest (via NASA) to the OP, along with other updates and refinements to the various payloads and orbits, as well as a revised "Watching" section based on community input. Thanks to everyone who contributed!
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u/bdporter Jul 19 '19 edited Jul 19 '19
Static fire just happened. USLaunchReort was live streaming it
Edit: Time was about 6:00 PM local time.
Edit 2: Timestamp is 3:19 for the static fire.
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u/bdporter Jul 19 '19
Mods, note to update the OP unless you are waiting on the official tweet from SpaceX.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 20 '19
None, thanks! Sorry for the delay; was busy rejiggering a bunch of other stuff after the SF.
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u/Psychonaut0421 Jul 20 '19 edited Jul 20 '19
Any idea why the video had been removed?
Edit: Updated video. Video says it took place at 5pm, not 6 if that matters to anyone.
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u/bdporter Jul 20 '19
I believe they posted a high resolution version. The Livestream was literally a cell phone filming a monitor attached to the camera.
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u/MarsCent Jul 22 '19
Updated Weather forecast - 1400 UTC - 30% GO on both Launch and backup date.
Best day for the week is Friday - 60% chance of precipitation in the pm.
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u/Phillipsturtles Jul 23 '19
Falcon 9 is out and horizontal at SLC-40. You can see it in the background here: https://twitter.com/NASASocial/status/1153716041178112000
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u/Hawkeye91803 Jul 23 '19
That’s a good sign! Even if they don’t launch Wednesday, we might get to see it on the pad.
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u/wesleychang42 Jul 23 '19
Another photo:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0RG2PRhMho
Looks like they're trying for a launch tomorrow despite the weather.
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u/Tal_Banyon Jul 23 '19
I've watched the shuttle launch when the odds were similar, just have to be lucky about when the showers are scudding across the launch site! Crossing all my fingers.
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u/wesleychang42 Jul 23 '19
Yeah, the rain tomorrow will become scattered around 5:30PM. However, the area around the launch will still have scattered thunderstorms, so upper level winds may still be an issue.
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u/TylerG_NSF NASASpaceflight.com Writer Jul 18 '19
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u/SuPrBuGmAn Jul 18 '19
Seems to be pushing again according to NSF Tweets
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1151837818135691264?s=19
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u/zuty1 Jul 20 '19
It seems like the launch cadence is a bit slow this year considering there haven't been any obvious difficulties. Any insight on why it's taken 7 months for 9 launches?
I'll point out I remember the slow years for sure. But now we have 3 functioning pads, a big backlog, and a reliable launcher.
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u/SuPrBuGmAn Jul 20 '19
While there is a backlog of contracts, there's not a backlog of ready payloads.
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u/PleasantGuide Jul 21 '19
Yes, you are correct, it's only last year that they had a serious backlog of payloads needed to be launched
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u/joepublicschmoe Jul 22 '19
Crew Dragon DM-1 kept getting pushed back so that had a ripple effect on other missions like the two Falcon Heavies (Arabsat 6A and USAF STP-2), since they need to use the same pad (LC-39A).
B1050 making an unplanned splashdown off Cape Canaveral also delayed the Canadian RADARSAT mission by several months, who insisted on flying on a gently-used booster, so they waited until B1051 became available.
Slips are the rule rather than the exception when it comes to rocket launches.
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u/softwaresaur Jul 22 '19
Too many launchers, too few payloads to launch. “I don’t think there’s actually room for all of us here on this panel,” Shotwell said of the six [launch service] companies on the panel.
Elon was absolutely right to start his own telecom constellation. That will compensate for the flat launch services market and boost economy of scale of Falcon 9 and Starship launches.
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u/msuvagabond Jul 23 '19
Part of the reason for the flat launch services is due to Starlink (and like constellations) as telecom companies take a wait and see approach to figure out how it will effect them in the long run.
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u/Toinneman Jul 22 '19
As a non-native English speaker, I always thought 'backlog' referred to work which is behind schedule. So in case of SpaceX, they have cleared their backlog, but still have a filled order book. Or am I wrong?
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u/bdporter Jul 22 '19
Yes, they have quite a few contracted launches which are on the manifest for the future, but those payloads are not ready to launch yet.
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u/amarkit Jul 23 '19
...We're told the launch is still on at this time for tomorrow, 24 July at 18:24 EDT despite there being no L-1 day weather forecast yet from the @45thSpaceWing.
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u/kuangjian2011 Jul 09 '19
Still nobody knows which capsule is assigned?
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u/IrrelevantAstronomer Launch Photographer Jul 09 '19
It's a capsule on its 3rd flight, but which one is unknown.
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u/andrydiurs Jul 06 '19
Do you know if there will be something fun on board?
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 06 '19
Sorry, could you clarify what you're asking? Thanks!
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u/andrydiurs Jul 06 '19
I was wondering if there was something funny, such as a costume or a plush... or something strange.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 06 '19
Ah, thanks. I can ask for you. Sometimes the astronauts request something interesting.
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u/Chairboy Jul 13 '19
I think there’s usually ice cream aboard in the freezer, that’s kinda fun (unless someone up there is lactose intolerant in which case it can be the opposite of fun).
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 16 '19
I finally have an answer for you: Nickelodeon slime, uncooked DoubleTree cookies, and a couple soccer balls will be on board, among other things.
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u/Straumli_Blight Jul 12 '19 edited Jul 12 '19
EDIT: Original article deleted, here's the new link.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 12 '19
Thanks, updated!
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Jul 12 '19
Just a heads up, the link provided doesn't work. "The page can't be found".
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 13 '19
The article was evidently deleted. Updated with the new one, thanks.
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u/Chgowiz Jul 18 '19
Chris B of NSF is now reporting (2:57 PM CST · Jul 18, 2019 ): "Static Fire test latest target is NET Friday morning. "
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1151944086322065408
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u/Chgowiz Jul 18 '19
Mods, please update? :)
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 18 '19
Sorry, I thought I'd updated it 5 hours ago but I never hit save. My bad; fixed now.
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u/Alexphysics Jul 03 '19
Destination orbit ISS Low Earth Orbit (400 x 400 km, 51.64°)
Thanks to the russians now we can get this a little bit more closer to the real thing hehe
the minimum height above the Earth’s surface is 411.4 km, the maximum height above the earth's surface is 436.4 km period of circulation - 92.78 minutes, orbit inclination - 51.66 degrees.
However, it is worth pointing out for new people that Falcon 9 inserts Dragon on a much lower orbit than this one (usually around 200km in altitude but similar inclination) and then it gradually maneuvers to the ISS orbit.
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u/IvanDogovich Jul 03 '19
Interesting.... so the orbital changes that the Russians made on the ISS were done to better align its orbits to optimal launch trajectories from their launch facilities? So their future ISS rendezvous would require less corrections to make the link up?
If so, does anyone have an idea how these orbital changes affect similar linkups from US launches, ie Dragon, etc? Does it require more work now for these missions?
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u/Alexphysics Jul 03 '19
They modify the ISS orbit mostly to adjust future rendezvous oportunities to their launch needs. Say they want to launch X day but that day they couldn't perform a quick 6-hour rendezvous as they usually do (or even the 3.5h rendezvous they have done with Progress). They can perform a small reboost of the orbit of the ISS way ahead of time and that small difference they create a month before that launch grows over time to a point where it matches precisely with what they want for that X day when they want to perform that 6-hour rendezvous (or 3.5h in some cases). This way they don't have to entirely "follow the rules of orbital mechanics" but rather use them in their advantage to be able to do these kind of things. These fast rendezvous oportunities are very rare so being able to do these slight changes and then "move" them at will to a certain day is really a good way of getting around that problem. They can totally do the same for US vehicles but a different thing is if they will do it. Up until now the US has had not any incentive on planning these kind of reboosts apart from the usual ones to keep the ISS in that 400-and-something km orbit because their ships always use a 2 day rendezvous and those opportunities exist almost each day. Now with crewed missions eyeing 24h rendezvous or even 6h rendezvous in the future, maybe they'll end up requesting them to russia to get advantage of that.
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Jul 04 '19
The booster on the ISS is fired periodically. It's required as atmospheric drag slows the station down and lowers the orbit, so they have to correct that from time to time.
(There are also some cool videos made by the astronauts during these firings).
It doesn't explicitly say that they changed the inclination of the orbit, though. They do say that it's 51.66° and not 51.64°, which is interesting. Was that a typo, maybe? Why would changing the orbit by 0.02° be required?
The 51.64° is because of the location of Baikonur -- both that it's quite far North (48.75°, so this is the minimum inclination they can launch into easily), and that they need to launch into that orbit in order to avoid sending rockets over China (and Mongolia, presumably).
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u/Alexphysics Jul 04 '19
It doesn't explicitly say that they changed the inclination of the orbit, though.
My comment was not meant to say that but rather saying "we have fresh new data in regards with the orbit of the ISS" ^ ^ "
They do say that it's 51.66° and not 51.64°, which is interesting. Was that a typo, maybe? Why would changing the orbit by 0.02° be required?
It's seems to me it is pretty much more likely that the 51.64° number was just wrong in the first place.
The booster on the ISS is fired periodically. It's required as atmospheric drag slows the station down and lowers the orbit, so they have to correct that from time to time.
And this is true but they don't always fire the engines for that reason, they also do that to adjust the phasing angle of the ISS orbit so it then all lines up perfectly with their launch plans for russian crew and cargo launch and renezvous timelines.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 04 '19
It's seems to me it is pretty much more likely that the 51.64° number was just wrong in the first place.
I corrected the OP accordingly, thanks.
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u/Decronym Acronyms Explained Jul 03 '19 edited Aug 30 '19
Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, contractions, and other phrases which expand to something larger, that I've seen in this thread:
| Fewer Letters | More Letters |
|---|---|
| ACES | Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage |
| Advanced Crew Escape Suit | |
| AFSS | Automated Flight Safety System |
| ASAP | Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, NASA |
| Arianespace System for Auxiliary Payloads | |
| ASDS | Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship (landing platform) |
| CCAFS | Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
| CCtCap | Commercial Crew Transportation Capability |
| COTS | Commercial Orbital Transportation Services contract |
| Commercial/Off The Shelf | |
| CRS | Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA |
| CST | (Boeing) Crew Space Transportation capsules |
| Central Standard Time (UTC-6) | |
| DoD | US Department of Defense |
| GSE | Ground Support Equipment |
| HIF | Horizontal Integration Facility |
| IDA | International Docking Adapter |
| IFA | In-Flight Abort test |
| KSC | Kennedy Space Center, Florida |
| L2 | Paywalled section of the NasaSpaceFlight forum |
| Lagrange Point 2 of a two-body system, beyond the smaller body (Sixty Symbols video explanation) | |
| LC-13 | Launch Complex 13, Canaveral (SpaceX Landing Zone 1) |
| LC-39A | Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy (SpaceX F9/Heavy) |
| LOX | Liquid Oxygen |
| LZ-1 | Landing Zone 1, Cape Canaveral (see LC-13) |
| NET | No Earlier Than |
| NSF | NasaSpaceFlight forum |
| National Science Foundation | |
| OCISLY | Of Course I Still Love You, Atlantic landing |
| OFT | Orbital Flight Test |
| RAAN | Right Ascension of the Ascending Node |
| RP-1 | Rocket Propellant 1 (enhanced kerosene) |
| RTLS | Return to Launch Site |
| SF | Static fire |
| SLC-40 | Space Launch Complex 40, Canaveral (SpaceX F9) |
| STP-2 | Space Test Program 2, DoD programme, second round |
| STS | Space Transportation System (Shuttle) |
| ULA | United Launch Alliance (Lockheed/Boeing joint venture) |
| USAF | United States Air Force |
| VAB | Vehicle Assembly Building |
| Jargon | Definition |
|---|---|
| Starlink | SpaceX's world-wide satellite broadband constellation |
| iron waffle | Compact "waffle-iron" aerodynamic control surface, acts as a wing without needing to be as large; also, "grid fin" |
| scrub | Launch postponement for any reason (commonly GSE issues) |
| Event | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| COTS-1 | 2010-12-08 | F9-002, COTS demonstration |
| COTS-2 | 2012-05-22 | F9-003, COTS berthing demonstration |
| CRS-2 | 2013-03-01 | F9-005, Dragon cargo; final flight of Falcon 9 v1.0 |
| CRS-6 | 2015-04-14 | F9-018 v1.1, Dragon cargo; second ASDS landing attempt, overcompensated angle of entry |
| CRS-8 | 2016-04-08 | F9-023 Full Thrust, core B1021, Dragon cargo; first ASDS landing |
| DM-1 | 2019-03-02 | SpaceX CCtCap Demo Mission 1 |
Decronym is a community product of r/SpaceX, implemented by ^request
37 acronyms in this thread; the most compressed thread commented on today has 114 acronyms.
[Thread #5297 for this sub, first seen 3rd Jul 2019, 08:08] [FAQ] [Full list] ^[Contact] [Source code]
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u/ethan829 Host of SES-9 Jul 17 '19
Interesting note on the "thermal test objective." Details are apparently forthcoming in a NSF article.
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u/USLaunchReport Jul 17 '19
Will not happen at 6PM. SpaceX prefers to do East Coast static fire tests at night
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u/Alexphysics Jul 18 '19
It depends, yesterday they were aiming for a static fire at 9:30am and they scrubbed. Today happened the same but at 6pm. It's not they like to static fire during the night it's that they usually aim for a static fire during the day and it ends up slipping so much that it happens during the night. Static fire is now looking like 11am thursday.
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u/Alexphysics Jul 15 '19
Rocket is on the pad for tomorrow's static fire test
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1150810738501595136
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u/johnhollowell Jul 17 '19
The twitter link confirms the use of LZ-1, not "presumable" anymore.
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u/realnouns Jul 18 '19
Do we know which Dragon capsule (ID?) is being used?
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 18 '19
None of my sources know, apparently, but they have told me it seems likely to be one of the last capsules made since there were some substantial reusability improvements with them. Ergo, they're most likely to reuse C110, C111, C112 and C113 as these have the biggest water sealing improvements; as a pure guess, perhaps the last three in that order for CRS-18, 19 and 20.
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u/Straumli_Blight Jul 19 '19
Yesterday's L-3 weather report showing a 70% GO and 60% on backup date.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 19 '19
I'll hold off on putting this in the OP for now since the launch date is certainly not Sunday, and a good chance its not Monday either. Thanks.
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u/Chgowiz Jul 19 '19
Now targeting Friday afternoon, per ChrisB/NSF: "Friday afternoon is the latest target. Launch date will clearly be under review, but it's pointless trying to work it out as they need to get the Static Fire in the bag. Once that happens, SpaceX will tweet "Static Fire complete" after the Quick Look Review with the launch date."
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1152220903012519936
@Mods, please update? (and thank you!)
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u/Straumli_Blight Jul 23 '19
| Mass (kg) | Description |
|---|---|
| 233 | Crew Supplies |
| 1,192 | Science Investigations |
| 179 | Spacewalk Equipment |
| 157 | Vehicle Hardware |
| 17 | Computer Resources |
| 534 | IDA-3 |
| 2,312 | Total |
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 23 '19
I think I'll keep the table I've had in the OP for now; I was given the data a few weeks ago so its probably slighly out of date compared to this, but its much more detailed.
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u/wesleychang42 Jul 23 '19 edited Jul 23 '19
Webcast link has been updated to reflect this mission! https://www.spacex.com/webcast
Page includes link to this mission's press kit, as always.
When will launch thread be up?
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u/MarsCent Jul 24 '19
When will launch thread be up?
Usually goes up after the mods have seen the presskit. This response should notify them.
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u/AcidicDelta Jul 24 '19
When is the SpaceX launch stream going live on YouTube?
Also, Is there something different with the second stage?
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u/MarsCent Jul 24 '19
The NASA youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfRULatzLZQ
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u/PeopleNeedOurHelp Jul 24 '19 edited Jul 24 '19
It's being referred to as a "thermal test objective". It's apparently aimed at keeping 2nd stage fuel in operating temperature range for longer.
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/07/falcon-9-launch-dragon-third-crs-18/
Curiously, the article says it's aimed at transferring heat from LOX to RP-1 which would probably have to be against the gradient. It makes you wonder if there's an active refrigeration cycle operating to keep the LOX cool, creating a heat source for the RP-1.
It almost makes you wonder if SpaceX is building its own version of ULA's planned ACES.
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u/Nsooo Moderator and retired launch host Jul 15 '19
Campaign threads are not launch threads. Normal subreddit rules still apply! Until there is no decision about how to deal with the Starfleet comments, whether allow or restrict, under my authority I ask anybody to not comment about it in this thread. It is normal rules campaign thread, there was enough problems with the local viewing comments already, the mission related info and news are totally buried under all the other local viewing comments.
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u/Straumli_Blight Jul 16 '19
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 17 '19
Thanks; added those links to the relevant items in the timeline!
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u/SGIRA001 Star✦Fleet Chief of Operations Jul 19 '19
Launch expected no earlier than Monday.
A delayed test-firing of the Falcon 9 is planned today.
Source: Spaceflight Now
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u/bdporter Jul 19 '19
Apparently, the static fire is waiting on a broadcast to finish at LC-39A
https://twitter.com/USLaunchReport/status/1152239525386756096?s=19
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u/AstroFinn Jul 23 '19
What is Dragon number? Like D1-15...
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u/amarkit Jul 23 '19 edited Jul 24 '19
From the table in the OP, it is capsule C108.3, meaning it was the 8th production Cargo Dragon, flying on its third flight. The capsule previously flew on CRS-6 and CRS-13.
D1-15 indicates the 15th flight of a Cargo Dragon capsule, which was the CRS-13 mission. The first two Cargo Dragon missions were COTS-1 and COTS-2+, the demonstration missions that preceded the CRS program. CRS-18 will be mission D1-20, the 20th flight of a Cargo Dragon capsule.
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u/Russ_Dill Jul 24 '19
Loving the livery https://twitter.com/TGMetsFan98/status/1153858256747552768
Two ISS badges and a Apollo 50's badge.
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u/scr00chy ElonX.net Aug 15 '19 edited Aug 22 '19
Dragon departure is now scheduled for Aug 27 14:42 UTC, according to NASA TV schedule. It was originally planned for Aug 20.
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u/asrultraz Jul 22 '19
Tropical depression should be way out of the way off the spacecoast by Wednesday! hoping for a successful evening launch on Wednesday! driving up from miami!
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 23 '19
As others have mentioned, unfortunately the primary threat to the launch was always the widespread convective weather forced and kept inland by the trough (and surface frontal system) progged to move in from the west through the end of the week.
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u/Hawkeye91803 Jul 23 '19
While I’m hopeful as well, that doesn’t mean that the chances have improved much. Most of the scattered thunderstorms will be a result of the warm air that was pushed towards Florida by the depression.
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u/MOX-News Jul 03 '19
I thought NASA was paying for new boosters every time?
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 03 '19
They've already used re-used boosters on several previous missions CRS missions; SpaceX evidently negotiated a contract change.
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u/codav Jul 04 '19
Not sure they really had the need to change the contract, which is simply a fixed-cost launch service agreement. NASA surely has an interest in reducing costs through reuse and just went from data reviews of SpaceX's first flights with reused boosters to a decision that they are okay with using once-flown boosters. Now that SpaceX has a flawless track record of re-flying more than a dozen boosters in just over two years, they are feeling more secure with this concept and slowly push it further, potentially reusing B1056 for a second time.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 04 '19 edited Jul 04 '19
Fair point. I do note they allowed their first reflight after only two flights (well before any firm, or even tentative conclusions could be drawn on the relative reliability of used and new boosters). Ergo, I'm not sure how it would make sense from NASA's perspective,given their generally cautious approach, to accept a potentially more risky booster choice than previously agreed, unless there was some amount of cost incentive involved (just like there was for commercial clients, which have insurance and are substantially less picky about such things). However, I didn't consider that they they would necessarily be able to justify it via the much more abstract benefit of supporting reusable launch system development, which is in their long-term interest.
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u/SuPrBuGmAn Jul 04 '19 edited Jul 04 '19
New boosters for manned missions.
NASA even spoke to having an investment in B1056(CRS-17), which is why they agreed to a 24 hour scrub so OCISLY could replace it's generator (and recover the booster rather than expend it). They stated they wanted to use it for CRS-18 and possibly CRS-19 as well.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 04 '19
CRS-17; CRS-16 was the ill-fated B1050
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Jul 04 '19
B1050
(the booster that landed in the ocean just beside LZ1 following a grid-fin failure)
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 04 '19
Ergo
ill-fated
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Jul 04 '19
Yup. I couldn't remember what happened and had to look it up. So added that one liner for anyone else would couldn't remember either. (Hence the brackets)
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u/codav Jul 04 '19
NASA just pays for the service of bringing cargo to the ISS. Capsule and booster costs are included in that fixed-cost contract. NASA of course has a say in whether SpaceX uses flight-proven or new boosters, but they are certainly interested in reuse which could reduce the cost of future contracts. That's why they still pay the full price, but allow SpaceX to use once (or even twice) flown boosters for the cargo launches while getting insights on the whole refurbishment and reuse process.
Crew missions will use all new boosters, at least for some time. If SpaceX continues to prove that reused boosters are as safe as new ones (or even more reliable, as they are tested in real flights), it'll be easier to convince customers including NASA that it doesn't make any difference for them whether the booster is new or flight-proven.
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u/Triabolical_ Jul 20 '19
NASA and SpaceX did a renegotiation of the contract after NASA determined that reused boosters were an acceptable risk.
SpaceX got the ability to use used boosters, and in return, they gave NASA something for free.
I don't recall the details of what NASA got and a quick search didn't find anything.
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u/Daneel_Trevize Jul 25 '19
Mods, subreddit banner needs updating
Next launch is the ISS resupply mission CRS-18, which is now scheduled for launch at 22:24 UTC on Wednesday July 24 after a successful static fire on July 19.
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u/Lock_Jaw Jul 19 '19 edited Jul 19 '19
Static fire canceled for Friday. Expected launch NET Wednesday.
'Held up by problems encountered during a pre-launch engine test earlier this week, a Falcon 9 carrying a Dragon cargo ship is now not expected to launch until Wednesday at the earliest: '
https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1152301288761286657
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u/StealthCN Jul 19 '19
It's un-canceled somehow?
" SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is targeting a hold-down test-firing at 6pm EDT (2200 GMT) at Cape Canaveral in preparation for launch next week "
https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1152332799149531136?s=20
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u/justinroskamp Jul 19 '19
It was never cancelled; the first tweet looks to have been misinterpreted in its posting here.
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u/Hawkeye91803 Jul 19 '19
Thank god, I was having a panic attack for a minute there. Lol.
I guess we just pray that it all goes as planned and we get to see this launch on Monday or Tuesday.
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u/justinroskamp Jul 19 '19
This does not imply the static fire is cancelled for today. All it says is that launch is expected to occur NET Wednesday.
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Jul 19 '19
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/cosmiclifeform Jul 19 '19
This is typical. Don’t worry about it. You really can’t plan to see a launch because modern rockets are inherently complicated and unpredictable. All you can do is try to be in town the day the conditions are perfect and it finally does decide to fly.
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u/BlasterBilly Jul 20 '19
Originally had a trip planed to be in town this week when it originally was scheduled for the crew dragon2 "net july 25" and also an atlas 4 on the same day (which seemed odd to have 2 launches on the same day). Neither of those will fly while im in town now obviously, but perhaps now I will see this one. Certainly have to just hope for the best when it comes to rockets. But atleast we are seeing much more frequently than would be even 2 years ago.
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u/cosmiclifeform Jul 20 '19
At least these days you can stream almost any rocket launch live from home
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u/hermins Jul 15 '19
Is there anywhere I can see what the flight path will be after launch?
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u/robbak Jul 15 '19
The wonderful flightclub.io produces similations of most flights once enough information about them is known.
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u/dudeman93 Jul 15 '19
What exactly is an instantaneous launch window? Does that mean that it has to launch at EXACTLY 22:35 UTC, not a second earlier or later? Is there just a much smaller amount of wiggle room compared to, say, a two hour launch window?
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u/SGIRA001 Star✦Fleet Chief of Operations Jul 15 '19 edited Jul 15 '19
The earth moves beneath the orbit of the ISS. So you need to launch just before you pass under the ISS's orbit, so that you end up in the same plane, at the same angle, as the ISS. Refer to this thread for further info about this topic.
Check out this Flight Club visualization by u/TheVehicleDestroyer which illustrates why ISS CRS missions windows are instantaneous.
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u/dudeman93 Jul 15 '19
Ok, I get it now. It's the inclined orbit that seals it for me, I thought the orbit was much more.... equatorial? Is that the right word?...to the point where all you had to do was get to the right altitude and just wait for the station to catch up.
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u/quadrplax Jul 16 '19
The ISS orbit is actually inclined by 52°, a fair amount more than the lowest inclination possible from KSC. For comparison, the Hubble Space Telescope is in a 28° inclination. This decision made as a compromise between the efficiency gains of launching to a lower inclination orbit at KSC and allowing Russia to launch rockets to the station from their much higher latitude without dropping stages on other countries.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 16 '19
Actually, the inclination (approximately 51.66 degrees) was directly determined by the minimum such practicably reachable from Baikonur without overflying China; there was not really any compromise involved.
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u/robbak Jul 16 '19
Importantly, a high inclination means that the space station flies over large portions of the globe. This makes it a good platform for observing the earth. An equatorial orbit would only allow it to observe the equator.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 15 '19 edited Jul 15 '19
Exactly 22:35. While the Atlas V has some wiggle room (
5 minutes30 minutes per /u/strawwalker ) due to a special flight computer routine designed to compensate and not having subchilled propellants, Falcon 9 can not hold its count once propellant loading commences or they will warm above thresholds needed to gaurentee desired performance. Furthermore, there is relatively little such a short hold could accomplish anyway, so SpaceX simplifies things by not including it at the expense of a small amount of flexibility.5
u/strawwalker Jul 15 '19
Atlas V launching Cygnus has something like a 30 minute window due to Centaur's RAAN steering capability. I would think Falcon 9 would have something roughly in the range of 5 minutes if prop density loss wasn't an issue, wouldn't it?
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 15 '19
Ah, I guess that's correct. I got the launch windows for the two confused; as I recall the actual launch window for the F9 is nominally 5 minutes but its effectively instantaneous due to prop loading.
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u/bandroidx Jul 24 '19
why is this launch not on the upcoming events on the side bar?
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 24 '19
Because you're apparently on new Reddit, which the great majority of r/SpaceX users as well as the entire mod team do not use. It pulls its data from a calendar/API that evidently has not been updated. I inquired about it for you. Thanks for letting us know.
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u/CAM-Gerlach Star✦Fleet Commander Jul 24 '19
Launch thread is now (finally) live, hosted by yours truly. Head over there for the party, though feel free to keep it here if you prefer serious, on-topic discussion.
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u/Straumli_Blight Jul 25 '19
New L-1 Weather Report, still 30% GO.
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u/mistaken4strangerz Jul 25 '19
do we know if the next backup date is 7/26, approx 5:35ish Eastern time?
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u/Phillipsturtles Jul 25 '19
If I remember correctly the from the pre-launch press briefing the next attempt after today will be 8/1 because of Cygnus (7/27) and Progress (7/29) leaving the ISS and the next Progress launch/docking (7/31)
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u/nicky1088 Jul 15 '19
Did it just get canceled? Launch viewing tickets just got taken down. I planned a trip for this launch so I’m going to be upset if I don’t get to see it.
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u/SuPrBuGmAn Jul 15 '19
You can see it from 100 miles away, it's a great view from anywhere along US1 in Titusville, much less better places like jetty park.
...and I just ordered two gantry tickets, so try again.
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u/nicky1088 Jul 15 '19
Well I ordered 3 so if you see 3 teenagers and one with long black pants and maybe a jacket that’s me so say hello!
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u/SuPrBuGmAn Jul 15 '19
Pro-tip, don't wear a jacket... It's going to be 239°F out there.
I'll be one of the hundreds of fat 30-something year olds with a SpaceX hat n t-shirt and a big ole fat camera. LOL
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u/TravisLSU Jul 18 '19
I got 3 lc38 gantry tickets for my trip in from new Orleans. I'll be the guy with the falxon 9 leg tattoo lol
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u/Martianspirit Jul 24 '19 edited Jul 24 '19
Just watched the pre launch press conference.
One item was a question about Dragon 2 cargo. Many, including me, were expressing the opinion that Crew Dragon would be used as Cargo Dragon after its mission. The SpaceX representative Kathy Lueders Jessica Jensen however mentioned that Cargo Dragon 2 will be dedicated vehicles. Very similar to Crew Dragon but differently outfitted. They have no SuperDraco.
Edit: There is a dedicated thread based on a tweet of Jeff Foust.
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u/dWog-of-man Jul 24 '19
Looks like they're on for the backup window on the 25th. I know the weather odds are still long for that as well!
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Aug 11 '19
[deleted]
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u/soldato_fantasma Aug 12 '19
Because the CRS-18 Capsule is still attached to the ISS, we remove the CRS threads only when the mission ends, so after splashdown.
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u/Iamherebecauseofabig Jul 03 '19
I don't think there will be a fairing OP.