Tue, Sep 06, 2011
C2, C3 Missions Combined In Attempt To Accelerate Cargo
Transport Capability To ISS
After the successful launch of the first SpaceX cargo
demonstration flight (C1) in December 2010, SpaceX approached NASA
with a plan to accelerate its cargo transportation capability by
attempting to achieve the third cargo demonstration flight (C3)
mission objectives on the second demonstration (C2) flight. C2
mission objectives include demonstrating ISS/Dragon communications
and flight navigation, control, and contingency operations near
ISS.
C3 mission objectives include demonstrating ISS proximity
operations, berthing with the ISS, cargo transfer, and return to
Earth. Operationally, the plan would be for SpaceX to successfully
complete all the C2 mission objectives and then be given approval
to rendezvous and berth with the ISS during the same flight.
According to Alan Lindenmoyer, Commercial Crew and Cargo Program
Manager, "Combining C2 and C3 could accelerate cargo services to
station by about two months." NASA will not relax or eliminate any
technical or safety requirements; rather, the combination will
allow SpaceX the opportunity to meet all the C2 and C3 milestone
objectives in a single flight.
At this point, NASA has not identified anything that would
preclude combining the C2 and C3 mission objectives and is
proceeding with mission planning. However, SpaceX wants to deploy
two commercial satellites (Orbcomm) from the F9 second stage. The
addition of Orbcomm's payloads to the combined mission is under
review. If the risks associated with the secondary payloads are
determined to be acceptable, NASA will give formal approval to the
combined mission execution.
Artist's Concept
The C2 Falcon 9 launch vehicle is currently at Pad 40, Cape
Canaveral, and is undergoing final preparation for the mission. The
integrated Dragon spacecraft is preparing for electromagnetic
compatibility and thermal vacuum testing to verify the spacecraft's
compatibility with ISS environments. The Dragon spacecraft is
planned to be shipped from SpaceX's Hawthorne facility to Cape
Canaveral in September.
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