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<\/p>\nSpaceX has conducted the milestone Static Fire test on the Falcon 9 set to launch the CRS-14 Dragon to the International Space Station (ISS). The test occurred a few hours into the six hour test window that opened at 11 AM Eastern at Cape Canaveral\u2019s SLC-40.<\/p>\n
The latest CRS mission will once again involve hardware that highlights SpaceX\u2019s skill at reusability.<\/p>\n
CRS-14 will use a flight-proven booster (B1039.2) lofting a previously flown Dragon capsule (C110.2). While the Dragon was involved with the CRS-8 mission, the booster launched the CRS-12 mission.<\/p>\n
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CRS-12 launch from 39A at KSC \u2013 via NASA<\/p>\n
The duo will combine to loft 2,647 kg of upmass to the orbital outpost, of which 1,721 kg is pressurized cargo for the ISS, while 926 kg is unpressurized and located in the trunk section of the Dragon.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Preparations for the arrival of the Dragon are already taking place on the ISS. This included a checkout of the Global Positioning System (GPS) Ancillary Data Checkout.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the recent update to GPS Ancillary Data (GAD) version 3 (v3), SpaceX requested an on-orbit checkout prior to the SpaceX-14 mission,\u201d noted ISS Status Updates. \u201cThe test mitigates risk, as the COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) \/ GAD interface could not be fully tested on the ground. Initial results from the test indicated the GADv3 upgrade was deployed successfully and CUCU is capable of processing the data.\u201d<\/p>\n
The CUCU is a vital communication link between the ISS and arriving Dragons.<\/p>\n
The SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System), which will grab the Dragon for berthing operations, was also checked out. Of interest are the Latching End Effectors (LEEs) following on from the replacement and maintenance work that was conducted during a series of EVAs last month.<\/p>\n
NASA educational resources (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n Despite the hard work that took place between ground controllers and the spacewalkers, problems are still being evaluated with LEE A.<\/p>\n SSRMS LEE during last month\u2019s EVA-48 \u2013 via NASA TV<\/p>\n \u201cLatching End Effector (LEE) A Degraded Snare \u2013 During a survey of LEE A, one of the snare cables was found to be damaged,\u201d added ISS Status information. \u201cCSA (Canadian Space Agency) analysis predicts load limit exceedances for certain SpaceX-14 capture scenarios. Ground teams are coordinating to determine the forward path for SpaceX-14 capture operations.\u201d<\/p>\n The SSRMS has since been \u201cwalked off\u201d to prepare to support Thursday\u2019s EVA, with no further notes provided on issues with the LEE that could impact the berthing of the Dragon. As such, an internal plan for CRS-14\u2019s berthing is likely to have been approved. Controllers always have numerous options to ensure the Dragon is safely captured by the SSRMS.<\/p>\n Interestingly, a spare LEE is expected to ride to the Station on the following Dragon mission, CRS-15, as was always part of the long-term planning.<\/p>\n Dragon capture at the ISS \u2013 via NASA<\/p>\n The arrival of the CRS-14 Dragon will only occur if all milestones are met with the Falcon 9 rocket, with the Static Fire test providing a dress rehearsal for the big day.<\/p>\n The results of the short firing of the Merlin 1D engines passed the quick look review, marked by SpaceX tweeting confirmation of the test, the following Launch Readiness Review (LRR) will confirm the launch date while Dragon is being mated with the Falcon 9 inside the SLC-40 Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF).<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/2018-03-27-232948.jpg\")
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