From SpaceX: To ensure the highest possible level of mission assurance and allow additional time to resolve remaining open items, SpaceX is now targeting March 30 for the CRS-3 launch, with April 2 as a back-up. These represent the earliest available launch opportunities given existing schedules, and are currently pending approval with the Range. Both Falcon …
SpaceX-3 Launch Delayed: Due to contamination found on the beta cloth shields in the SpaceX-3 unpressurized external trunk, the decision was made to move the launch of SpX-3 to later in the month. The exact day of launch will be assessed by ground teams. Specialists are reviewing options for addressing the contamination issue on the …
The press kit for SpaceX-3 is out now and includes a wealth of details about the company’s Dragon spacecraft, Falcon 9 rocket and the payloads that will be taken to the International Space Station on this resupply mission. You can find the complete press kit here.
Crew Handover Conference: In preparation for 38 Soyuz (38S) arrival scheduled for March 26, Commander (CDR) Wakata and Flight Engineer (FE)-5 Mastracchio participated in a conference to pass on lessons learned to the 38S Crew. The purpose of this activity is to begin the handover process through videocons and data exchanges between the current crew …
The first launch weather forecast ahead of the SpaceX-3 cargo mission to the International Space Station sets out a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions at launch time, which remains 4:41 a.m. EDT. Thick clouds are seen as a potential obstacle according to the forecast. SpaceX-3 is the third commercial resupply mission to space station for SpaceX. …
36 Soyuz (36S) Departure/Landing: Soyuz 36S undocked from the MRM2 zenith port bringing Commander (CDR) Kotov, Flight Engineer (FE)-2 Ryazanskiy and FE-3 Hopkins back to earth. The undock command, which initiated the opening of the Soyuz vehicle docking hooks was issued at 7:01pm CDT with physical separation occurring a minute and a half later. The …
Water Recovery System (WRS) Status: On February 24th, the Water Processor Assembly (WPA) had a fault due to a leak into the catalytic reactor. On Thursday, Hopkins and Mastracchio successfully R&Rd the catalytic reactor. WPA has since been activated and is processing nominally. On Board Training (OBT) Soyuz Descent: Commander (CDR) Kotov, Flight Engineer (FE-2) …
Water Recovery System (WRS) Catalytic Reactor Remove & Replace (R&R): On February 24th, the Water Processor Assembly (WPA) had a fault due to a leak into the catalytic reactor (approximately 1 liter of water). Today, Flight Engineer (FE)-3 Hopkins and FE-5 Mastracchio successfully R&Rd the catalytic reactor. In preparation for the R&R, Hopkins removed Treadmill …
Here’s a complete schedule of our coverage plans for the March 16 launch of SpaceX-3 to the International Space Station. Liftoff remains slated for 4:41 a.m. eastern time.
Water Recovery System (WRS) In-Flight Maintenance (IFM) Procedure Review: On February 25th, the Water Processor Assembly (WPA) had a fault due to a leak into catalytic reactor (approximately 1 liter of water). The catalytic reactor is scheduled to be removed and replaced (R&Rd) tomorrow. Flight Engineer (FE)-3 Hopkins and FE-5 Mastracchio conducted a procedures review …
