Tag: Dragon
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Dragon completes ISS fly under comm test ahead of berthing opportunity
One of the major test objectives of Dragon’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) test flight was completed early on Thursday, as the SpaceX spacecraft flew under the International Space Station (ISS) and successfully received commands via a UHF system. Dragon continues to be on schedule for its historic berthing with the ISS on Friday. Dragon…
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SpaceX’s Dragon already achieving key milestones following Falcon 9 ride
Preliminary results are showing SpaceX’s Falcon 9 enjoyed a nominal ride uphill – with no issues – prior to deploying the Dragon spacecraft on orbit. So as not to let down its ride, Dragon then passed several major – and new – milestones, including the deployment of both solar arrays, and the opening of its…
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SpaceX launch Falcon 9 – Dragon’s ISS debut is on
SpaceX have launched their Falcon 9/Dragon duo – the latter of which is aiming to complete the spacecraft’s remaining COTS demonstration objectives, and culminate in a visit to the International Space Station. The launch suffered from no problems, lifting off from Cape Canaveral at 3:44am Eastern. The key milestone of solar array deployment was also…
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SpaceX’s Dragon debut to the ISS passes software validation process
One of the key pre-launch requirements for SpaceX’s upcoming Dragon mission to the ISS – the completion of software validation tasks for the spacecraft’s approach and berthing with the orbital outpost – has been passed, pending the expected completion of “action items”. The milestone means the latest launch date target of May 19 now holds…
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ISS schedule slips Dragon launch to May 19 – future manifest outlook
Launch of SpaceX’s first Dragon spacecraft to visit the International Space Station (ISS) has been set for a new target date of May 19, following consultations between SpaceX and NASA. The new launch date is a product of a busy schedule of ISS flight activities that Dragon needs to fit into alongside other launches and…
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Falcon 9’s Merlin engines fire – launch date slipping
The next key milestone ahead of the historical SpaceX mission to the International Space Station (ISS) took place on Monday, as the integrated Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft underwent their full dress rehearsal for what was a May 7 launch – a date that is now slipping. Known as the Static Fire test, all nine…
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SpaceX, NASA managers decide on May 7 launch date following slip
Following SpaceX’s announcement that their Falcon 9 launch date will be slipping from its April 30 target, evaluations have been taking place – in cooperation with NASA – to ascertain when the Dragon spacecraft can make its debut attempt to berth with the International Space Station (ISS). With the NET date of May 7 now…
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Progress M-15M docks to ISS amid busy period of visiting vehicle activities
Russia’s Progress M-15M spacecraft, launched on Friday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, has successfully docked to the International Space Station (ISS) bringing with it a fresh load of supplies for the station crew, who are busy preparing for the departure of three crewmembers next week and the arrival of the first ever commercial cargo…
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Cargo up and down: Dragon to demonstrate the importance of downmass
When SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft heads uphill at the end of the month, the young spacecraft has a long set of objectives to pass prior to being given permission to arrive at the International Space Station (ISS). However, should Dragon achieve the historic first, it will not only provide some welcome cargo, but it will have…
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NASA FRR tentatively sets April 30 for Dragon’s first flight to fully prepared ISS
For the first time in history, NASA’s extensive Flight Readiness Review (FRR) process has concluded that a privately-owned spacecraft is tentatively cleared to visit the International Space Station (ISS). With a launch date still tracking April 30, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will lift off toward a space station that is now fully prepared to extend a…