SpaceX Sets April 8 For Next Dragon Launch

schwit1 writes: SpaceX has scheduled April 8 for the next Falcon 9 launch, set to carry its first Dragon capsule since the launch failure last year. Though this is the most important news contained by the article, its focus is instead on the various preparations that SpaceX is doing at its Texas test facility to prepare for this launch as well as the increased launch rate required for the company to catch up on its schedule. Note that the Dragon launch will also be significant in that it will be carrying Bigelow's inflatable test module for ISS, built for only $17 million in less than two years. NASA, ESA, or JAXA would have required at least half a billion and several years to have accomplished the same.

Comments

Re:As a tech site

[G-forze]

It's really nothing more than that - an inflatable test module which wont be used for anything, at least yet. Here's a NASA blog post which contains some information.

The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) is an experimental expandable capsule that attaches to the space station. After installation, the BEAM expands to roughly 13-feet-long and 10.5 feet in diameter to provide a large volume, where a crew member can enter. During the two-year test mission, astronauts will enter the module for a few hours three-to-four times a year to retrieve sensor data and conduct assessments of the module’s condition.

Re:As a tech site

[michelcolman]

Retrieve sensor data? So those silly science click-fests in Kerbal Space Program are realistic after all?

Re:NASA, ESA, or JAXA would have required

[michelcolman]

I just wonder how it will handle impacts by space debris. The ISS has lots of pits caused by micrometeorites, I hope the inflatable module has some kind of self healing properties when it gets punctured.

Re:NASA, ESA, or JAXA would have required

[michelcolman]

Actually, never mind, I just looked it up and it seems that its 24 to 36 protective layers will actually be as hard as concrete and provide better ballistic protection than the rest of the ISS.

Re:NASA, ESA, or JAXA would have required

[Vulch]

NASA were working on the TransHab module for the ISS which got killed by the US Congress. Bigelow picked up the work and have turned it into actual orbiting items.

Re:As a tech site

[hackertourist]

That reads as if the module will be behind a closed door most of the time.

how long and how much for russians?

[sittingnut]

"... built for only $17 million in less than two years. NASA, ESA, or JAXA would have required at least half a billion and several years..."
how long and how much will it take russians?
after all they are ones who still have regular flights to iss on which this would be 'tested', and only ones still capable of transporting humans to space to test it.

Re:how long and how much for russians?

[sittingnut]

crucial words "about to be ..." !
would have been much better if they were "already ..." instead.

btw whatever your private web blog link says, there was less "explosions" and failures, in russian program recently than in those of private companies . and this in spite of doing much more, and with lot more launches and tests.

  -
in any case there was no factual answer to my question "how long and how much will it take russians?"
saying it would be same as " NASA, ESA, or JAXA" wont be right, since they, unlike russians, no longer offer of regular flights to iss and are incapable of transporting humans, as i said before .
and comparison with russians is the one that counts. after all if these 'private' companies really start offering space transport and infrastructure services on commercial basis, and unless russians get banned for non commercial reasons, they would be the main competition.

Re:how long and how much for russians?

[Bruce Perens]

RSC Energia has made press releases about its work on inflatable space station modules since 2013 and has not flown one yet, nor have they announced when they will fly one. There is so far no evidence that they are handling the project with more speed or lower cost than NASA, ESA, or JAXA, or indeed that the project will ever result in flown hardware.

Re:how long and how much for russians?

[EnsilZah]

Hopefully the crew situation will change next year with SpaceX, Boing and Sierra Nevada's offerings.

Re:NASA, ESA, or JAXA would have required

[Pseudonymous Powers]

Actually, never mind, I just looked it up and it seems that its 24 to 36 protective layers will actually be as hard as concrete and provide better ballistic protection than the rest of the ISS.

Concrete balloon, huh? That should go over well.

Re:NASA, ESA, or JAXA would have required

[Eloking]

Concrete balloon, huh? That should go over well.

Why? You expect it to fly?

I like to keep an open mind, but...

[Thud457]

Not sure if I want to be first in line to try out a radical new space habitat design by a guy that believes in big black triangles and shapeshifting skinwalkers.

Re:As a tech site

[Mysticalfruit]

Do understand that Bigelow has Genesis 1 and 2 which are currently in orbit.

They've launched stuff before and (as far as they're saying) it's held up.

Re:NASA, ESA, or JAXA would have required

[Type44Q]

To be fair to Bigelow, he's been working on this for a really long time; I don't think there was a whole lot more to this than ideas when he took it over.

Heres hoping we see olympus some day,

[CaptnCrud]

or the BA 2100. Wiki Image

I still will never to this day understand why NASA dumped transhab.

Has anyone watched a launch in Brownsville?

[rockmuelle]

After a childhood living on the wrong coast to watch shuttle launches, I'm finally within driving distance of a launch facility (live in Austin).

Has anyone gone down to Brownsville to watch a launch? Any tips?

-Chris

Re:Has anyone watched a launch in Brownsville?

[jittles]

I have watched a few launches from the Cape, including the last shuttle launch. In my experience, these types of launches are less exciting than a shuttle launch. However, I would say that the best thing is to show up early and bring something to do while you're waiting around. You probably won't have too much of a crowd to compete against, but I don't know. I've never watched a Texas launch. If you want to film it, bring a tripod. You'll want to watch the launch itself with your mark 1 eyeball. It's just way easier and more exciting. Get as close as safety and security rules allow. The best part is the first 30 or so seconds during its initial acceleration, so try and get an unobstructed view, if possible. Once it gets to about 10k feet it'll get less interesting as its harder to see.

Re: As a tech site

[Mysticalfruit]

I suspect they'll keep it closed, with a pressure sensor connected to the ISS network. They'll use it as a spot to store things they don't care that much about in case it was to depressurize.

Re:NASA, ESA, or JAXA would have required

[thinkwaitfast]

Concrete balloon, huh? That should go over well.

Like a Lead Zeppelin.

Re:ULA launched cygnus last night!

[CaptnCrud]

Last I heard brett Tobey resigned, there is actually quite a bit of controversy over his last remarks

Re:LAUNCH!!

[D.McG.]

Why? SpaceX doesn't use SRBs with O-ring seals.

NASA didn't dump Transhab.

[DerekLyons]

NASA didn't dump Transhab - Congress passed a law zeroing it's budget specifically forbidding NASA from continuing work on it.

Re: As a tech site

[Mysticalfruit]

That actually would be cool... if they could use it as a garbage scow... fill it with trash, close the hatch and then see if the escaping air could be used to propel it into a decaying orbit.