Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS

#1

Post by mzaccari » Tue, Sep 23, 2014, 11:47 AM UTC

Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS
nasa.gov

Re: Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS

#2

Post by mariocesar » Tue, Sep 23, 2014, 12:53 PM UTC

Tomorrow is happening today

Re: Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS

#3

Post by aidos » Tue, Sep 23, 2014, 12:54 PM UTC

Whenever I see ISS dockings I wonder why the arm isn't computer controlled. There's no specific information on this page but I'm assuming it was a manual docking. Can anyone explain why the process is still manual?

Re: Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS

#4

Post by bvm » Tue, Sep 23, 2014, 12:57 PM UTC

It's technically a berthing, not a docking as it mates under the power of the Candarm, not under its own steam.

Re: Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS

#5

Post by FranOntanaya » Tue, Sep 23, 2014, 1:01 PM UTC

aidos wrote: post #3

Whenever I see ISS dockings I wonder why the arm isn't computer controlled. There's no specific information on this page but I'm assuming it was a manual docking. Can anyone explain why the process is still manual?

I bet the trainers that certify an astronaut is precise enough to get it done are a lot cheaper than the engineers required to certify a computer wouldn't karate chop the station.

Re: Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS

#6

Post by readerrrr » Tue, Sep 23, 2014, 1:09 PM UTC

And that is their second launch within 14 days. The previous launch was a satellite to a geostationary orbit.

Re: Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS

#7

Post by markab21 » Tue, Sep 23, 2014, 1:29 PM UTC

Does anyone know what happens to the pod after a shuttle-craft docks and delivers cargo?

Do they push it back to earth? Into space, leave it in orbit?

Re: Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS

#8

Post by xyclos » Tue, Sep 23, 2014, 1:33 PM UTC

bvm wrote: post #4

It's technically a berthing, not a docking as it mates under the power of the Candarm, not under its own steam.

correct, and the body of the article correctly identifies it as such.

Re: Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS

#9

Post by andyjohnson0 » Tue, Sep 23, 2014, 1:37 PM UTC

markab21 wrote: post #7

Does anyone know what happens to the pod after a shuttle-craft docks and delivers cargo? Do they push it back to earth? Into space, leave it in orbit?

It will stay at the ISS for a month to allow cargo transfer [1]. Then it returns to earth under its own power and is re-used after refurbishment [2].

[1] http://www.nasa.gov/content/expedition-41-trio-waits-for-dra...

[2] http://www.spaceflight101.com/dragon-spacecraft-information....

Re: Station Crew Docks Dragon Capsule to ISS

#10

Post by Zuph » Tue, Sep 23, 2014, 1:45 PM UTC

andyjohnson0 wrote: post #9

markab21 wrote: post #7

Does anyone know what happens to the pod after a shuttle-craft docks and delivers cargo? Do they push it back to earth? Into space, leave it in orbit?

It will stay at the ISS for a month to allow cargo transfer [1]. Then it returns to earth under its own power and is re-used after refurbishment [2]. [1] http://www.nasa.gov/content/expedition-41-trio-waits-for-dra... [2] http://www.spaceflight101.com/dragon-spacecraft-information....

Although the Dragon is reusable, SpaceX's contract with NASA stipulates that new capsules be used for each resupply mission. Not sure if the contract allows SpaceX to refurbish the capsules for other commercial missions, but the other CRS Dragons are being used for showpieces at the moment.