Topic: [Discuss] SpaceX CRS-8 space station mission
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-06-2016 10:48 PM
Please use this topic to discuss the eighth of SpaceX's contracted Dragon cargo flights to the International Space Station under NASA's Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) Program.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-06-2016 10:50 PM
The CRS-8 launch will be aired live on NASA TV and webcast by SpaceX:
SpaceX is targeting Friday (April 8) at 4:43 p.m. ET (2043 GMT) for the launch of CRS-8.
The SpaceX webcast is scheduled to go live here and on YouTube about 20 minutes prior to launch. For the technical webcast (just rocket views, launch countdown audio and telemetry info), see here.
holcombeyates Member
Posts: 243 From: UK Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-07-2016 10:02 AM
Does anyone know if there will be another attempt to recover the first stage?
Second question — could the technical capability for the first stage to execute a return to a safe landing have been achieved years earlier? Could this technique have been used for say — Apollo, Soyuz and other launch vehicles?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Following stage separation, the first stage of the Falcon 9 will attempt a propulsive landing on the "Of Course I Still Love You" droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.
mf451 Member
Posts: 61 From: NY, NY Registered: Nov 2014
posted 04-07-2016 10:12 AM
There is a good FAQ on the SpaceX sub-reddit regarding the landing attempt as well as why the live feed from the barge usually drops out right as the booster approaches:
Don't know the answer to the second question.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-07-2016 10:14 AM
The precision control needed for an autonomous propulsive landing might have been a challenge for 1960s-era computers, but there were proposals for the parachute recovery and mid-air capture of the first stage of the Saturn V (S-IC).
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 307 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 04-07-2016 06:17 PM
What are the odds of this mission being successful, unlike last year?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-07-2016 06:23 PM
There have been three successful launches of the Falcon 9 since the loss of CRS-7, so SpaceX is confident it has addressed the cause(s) of the June 2015 failure. Still, with any launch there always remains a degree of risk.
OV3Discovery Member
Posts: 100 From: Registered: Mar 2015
posted 04-07-2016 07:58 PM
The six month hiatus from launches after CRS-7 addressed the "strut" issue and all the other possible faults within the vehicle. So hopefully a successful mission.
Hoping for a good launch and landing. Good luck to everyone involved in the mission.
butch wilks Member
Posts: 333 From: Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK Registered: Mar 2007
posted 04-08-2016 04:15 PM
"WAY TO GO SPACEX!"
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-08-2016 04:31 PM
BEAM up and Falcon down! SpaceX returned Dragon to flight and stuck the landing of its rocket's first stage on the autonomous spaceport drone ship...
OV3Discovery Member
Posts: 100 From: Registered: Mar 2015
posted 04-08-2016 04:40 PM
That was wonderful way for Dragon to return to flight.
David Carey Member
Posts: 782 From: Registered: Mar 2009
posted 04-08-2016 05:13 PM
Congratulations to all at SpaceX - fantastic accomplishment.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 867 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 04-08-2016 05:24 PM
CONGRATULATIONS to everyone at SpaceX!!!
OV-105 Member
Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 04-08-2016 05:31 PM
So how do they keep the first stage from falling over at sea once it lands? That was awesome to see land.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-08-2016 05:35 PM
Gravity. The rocket is bottom heavy (its tanks are mostly empty and the nine engines weigh the vehicle down).
Once recovery team members get aboard the drone ship, they will fit steel shoes over the legs and weld them to the deck for the trip back to port.
On edit: Here is how Elon Musk described it today:
We're welding it down, making sure it doesn't tip over. There are potentially some heavy winds coming in. They've got these steel shoes they put over landing feet and weld it to the deck.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-08-2016 05:59 PM
Here is a replay of the drone ship landing:
J Blackburn Member
Posts: 224 From: Riner, Virginia USA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 04-08-2016 07:37 PM
Congrats SpaceX!!!!! Awesome footage all around.
Jurg Bolli Member
Posts: 977 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Nov 2000
posted 04-08-2016 08:59 PM
Yes, remarkable and impressive.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
(Seriously, cover your children's ears; Elon Musk tweeted and then deleted this.)
perineau Member
Posts: 218 From: FRANCE Registered: Jul 2007
posted 04-09-2016 09:19 AM
Congrats to SpaceX and Blue Origin for opening the era of reusable boosters! I've been waiting since 1967 and "You only live twice" (James Bond) to see the real thing!!!
David Carey Member
Posts: 782 From: Registered: Mar 2009
posted 04-09-2016 10:58 AM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: Gravity. The rocket is bottom heavy (its tanks are mostly empty and the nine engines weigh the vehicle down).
An interesting bounce and slide to the left at touchdown. That it withstood all that, heavy seas, and a likely wind load from the (lighter) upper structure is really something. A nail-biter!
Watching the on-deck video makes me want to run out there and hold it down until the welders get busy.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-09-2016 11:04 AM
According to Musk, the seas looked worse than they were:
The pitch and roll was about two to three degrees, so it was actually not too bad.
In terms of maximum, well, probably we could do double that easily and maybe triple. So maybe it is eight or nine degrees but that is probably about the limit. But that would be really intense seas.
dabolton Member
Posts: 419 From: Seneca, IL, US Registered: Jan 2009
posted 04-10-2016 02:09 PM
Has the rocket returned to port yet? Will they have to lower it to clear bridges on the return?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-10-2016 02:33 PM
They aren't back to port yet. Here's the page on MarineTraffic.com tracking the tug.
Musk said the stage would not be lowered horizontal until makes shore.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-12-2016 04:28 AM
SpaceX photo
Back at port
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-12-2016 05:55 AM
Live Port Canaveral webcam showing the stage at the dock.
dabolton Member
Posts: 419 From: Seneca, IL, US Registered: Jan 2009
posted 04-12-2016 08:45 AM
Taken at Port Canaveral this morning...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-12-2016 06:50 PM
SpaceX photos
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-12-2016 06:52 PM
SpaceX photos
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-14-2016 09:00 PM
Love the clarity of the images, especially the grid fins and the RCS puffing.
Headshot Member
Posts: 864 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 04-18-2016 11:27 AM
The CRS-8 first stage is now horizontal and will probably be trucked back to SpaceX's facilities today.
Does anyone know how this time, from lifting off the barge and placing on the dock, to being trucked back to SpaceX compares to the mid-December 2015 first stage landing and its return to SpaceX?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-18-2016 11:46 AM
If you mean the time required, from touchdown at Landing Zone 1 to arrival at the Pad 39A horizontal integration facility was four days (Dec. 21 to Dec. 25).
SpaceX told reporters that it was going to take this recovery one step at a time, with milestones separated (by at least) a day apart.
Headshot Member
Posts: 864 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 04-18-2016 12:04 PM
Thanks Robert. That explains some of the periods of inactivity I noticed during the processing of the first stage after it was lifted off the barge.
dabolton Member
Posts: 419 From: Seneca, IL, US Registered: Jan 2009
posted 04-18-2016 07:21 PM
It appeared to be loaded onto a barge, not a truck.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-19-2016 01:36 PM
The stage was loaded onto a multi-wheeled transporter (trailer) and trucked from the port to Cape, where it arrived today.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-06-2016 10:48 PM
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