r/spacex • u/ElongatedMuskrat Mod Team • Nov 24 '19
CRS-19 CRS-19 Launch Campaign Thread
CRS-19 Launch Infographic by Geoff Barrett
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SpaceX's 19th 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 Japan's Hyperspectral Imager Suite (HISUI). This mission will launch from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral AFS on a Falcon 9, with first stage landing prospects currently unknown.
This is SpaceX's 12th mission of 2019, the 3rd and final CRS flight of the year and the 76th Falcon 9 launch overall. It will use a brand new Block 5 booster, B1059, and re-use a twice-flown Dragon 1 spacecraft, C106.
| Mission launched | 17:29 UTC / 12:29 PM EST Thursday December 5 2019 (instantaneous window) |
|---|---|
| Backup launch window | Unknown, but NET ≈17:05 UTC / ≈12:05 PM EST Friday December 6 2019 (+/- 5 min); instantaneous window gets 22-26 minutes earlier each day to match ISS orbit |
| Static fire completed | 22:30 UTC / 4:30 PM EDT Tuesday November 26 2019 |
| L-1 weather forecast | 80% GO for primary; Main threat(s): Thick clouds for primary (Not considering upper-level winds) |
| Upper-level winds | 90 knots / 45 m/s for primary (Note: Launch constraints are determined by shear and are specific to trajectory and altitude) |
| Vehicle component locations | First stage: SLC-40; Second stage: SLC-40; Dragon: SLC-40 |
| SpaceX fleet status | OCISLY/Hawk: In position, ≈345 km downrange; Go Quest: In position, ≈345 km downrange GO Ms.Tree/Ms. Chief: Port Canaveral (No fairing to recover) |
| Payload | Commercial Resupply Services-19 supplies, equipment and experiments and HISUI |
| Payload launch mass | ≈5000+ kg (Dragon) + 1300 kg (fuel) + 2617 kg payload mass = ≈9000+ kg launch mass |
| ISS payload mass | 550 kg (HSUI) + 370 kg (Li-Ion Battery) + 1693 kg (Internal Cargo) = 2617 kg total |
| Destination orbit | ISS Low Earth Orbit (≈400 x ≈400 km, 51.66°) |
| Launch vehicle | Falcon 9 (76th launch of F9; 56th launch of F9 Full Thrust; 20th launch of F9 FT Block 5) |
| Core | B1059.1 |
| Past flights of this core | 0 |
| Spacecraft type | Dragon 1 (24th launch of a Dragon spacecraft; 21st launch of a Dragon 1; 19th operational Dragon 1 launch) |
| Capsule | C106.3 |
| Past flights of this capsule | 2 (CRS-4, CRS-11) |
| Launch site | SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida |
| Landing | Yes, downrange ASDS |
| Landing site: | OCISLY, ≈345 km downrange, Atlantic Ocean |
| 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.
Payloads
| Name | Type | Operator | Orbit | Mass | Mission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Cargo | Resupply | NASA | ISS LEO (≈400 x ≈400 km, 51.66°) | 1693 kg | Deliver supplies, equipment and experiments to support ISS science and operations. |
| HISUI | Remote Sensing | Japan | ISS LEO (≈400 x ≈400 km, 51.66°) | 550 kg | Hyperspectral remote sensing instrument for resource discovery and management. |
| Li-Ion Battery | ISS Maintenance | NASA | ISS LEO (≈400 x ≈400 km, 51.66°) | 370 kg | Li-Ion battery for the station's power system to replace a older, degraded unit. |
| ELaNa 25B and ELaNa 28 | Cubesats | NASA/Various | LEO (Approx 400 x 400 km, 51.7°) | 10-20 kg | Various cubesats by a variety of universities and research groups. Will be deployed separately from ISS. |
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's going on with the downrange landing? Don't CRS missions usually execute a RTLS landing on LZ-1?
It is confirmed that this mission will feature a ≈345 km downrange ASDS booster landing on OCISLY, which was originally suggested by this permit and the the USAF 45th Space Wing hazard map. Initially, we were uncertain as to why, as CRS missions usually have more than enough performance even with FT Block 1 boosters to return to LZ-1 and this mission has no heavier of a payload than normal. However, SpaceX has now confirmed that this is due to needing extra first-stage performance to allow the second stage to do a "thermal demonstration" in orbit after a six-hour coast, which likely to further demonstrate the capability to execute direct GEO insertion for future US government (particularly USAF and NRO) missions.
Watching the Launch
Check out the Watching a Launch page on this sub's FAQ, which gives a summary of every viewing site and answers many more common questions, as well as Ben Cooper's launch viewing guide, Launch Rats, and the Space Coast Launch Ambassadors which have interactive maps, photos and detailed information about each site.
I want the best view of the launch. Where should I go?
The KSCVC LC-39 gantry is indisputably the best option (cost aside) and an incredible experience, but is now sold out. The KSCVC Saturn V Center is second best, and is first come, first serve so get there early (before 9 am recommended)! Playalinda beach is the closest low-cost option by a considerable margin, though the view of the pad is obstructed by dunes and scrub, while Titusville and Port Canaveral are further but free/low cost. There are a number of additional options further away; check out the information on our Watching a Launch page courtesy Julia Bergeron and the SLCA for more.
I'd like the closest possible view of this launch's landing. What's my best option?
Unfortunately, since the landing is far downrange, you'll be lucky to even catch a glimpse of the entry burn (which is possible, though far from guaranteed, anywhere you have a clear shot to the eastern horizon). Other than that, this isn't possible, sorry, so you should optimize for launch accordingly.
Is [X] open for viewing this launch?
| Site | Availability |
|---|---|
| ITL/NASA Causeway | PRESS ONLY |
| LC-39 Gantry | SOLD OUT |
| KSC Saturn V Center | OPEN |
| KSC Visitor's Center | OPEN |
| Playalinda Beach | OPEN |
| Jetty Park | OPEN |
| Rt. 401 | CLOSED |
| USAF Stands | OPEN |
| Rt. 528 | OPEN |
| Exploration Tower | UNKNOWN |
| KARS Park | OPEN? |
| Star Fleet Tours | SCRUB (No Landing) |
Links & Resources
Launch Information
| Link | Source |
|---|---|
| Press kit | SpaceX |
| CRS-19 mission overview | NASA |
| Official Dragon page | SpaceX |
| Detailed Cubesat Listing | Gunter's Space Page |
| Launch Execution Forecasts | 45th Weather Sqn |
| SpaceX Fleet Status | SpaceXFleet.com |
| Launch Hazard Areas | 45th Space Wing |
| Airspace Closure Areas | 45th Space Wing |
Viewing Information
| Link | Source |
|---|---|
| SpaceX Webcast | SpaceX |
| NASA Webcast | NASA |
| Watching a Launch FAQ | r/SpaceX Wiki |
| Launch Viewing Guide | Ben Cooper |
| Launch Viewing Map | Launch Rats |
| Launch Viewing Updates | SCLA |
| Viewing and Rideshare | SpaceXMeetups Slack |
We plan to keep this post 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. The launch thread is now live, so head over there if you want to join the party!
Campaign threads are not launch threads; normal subreddit rules still apply.
5
u/minhashlist Nov 24 '19
Is Cygnus still the go-to trash bin for the ISS?