Thu, Feb 04, 2010
Company A Step Closer To Beginning Cargo Deliveries To ISS
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) recently conducted a
three-day long demonstration of cargo loading and unloading
procedures for its Dragon spacecraft, which NASA has contracted to
provide delivery services to the International Space Station (ISS)
starting in 2010.
Dragon Artists Concept
SpaceX hosted a group of NASA personnel at its corporate
headquarters in Hawthorne, CA, including astronauts Marsha Ivins
and Megan McArthur, and other key personnel from NASA's Johnson
Space Center in Houston. The tests covered a range of procedures
using actual NASA cargo modules, in a variety of standard sizes,
including powered cargo modules that provide temperature control
for sensitive items such as medical and biological samples during
their journey to the ISS, and return to Earth. Dragon is currently
one of the only spacecraft in the world capable of transmitting
status on environment-sensitive cargo back to Earth during transit
to the ISS.
SpaceX performed the tests in an actual flight Dragon spacecraft
outfitted with cargo racks, stowage lockers, as well as interior
lighting, telemetry and environmental systems, as will be
employed while Dragon is berthed at the ISS. "SpaceX was honored to
host the NASA crew, and pleased by their positive feedback and
remarks," said John Couluris, SpaceX Director of Mission
Operations. "We look forward to the day when the first of many
Dragons arrive at the ISS delivering actual cargo in support of
continued ISS operations."
Under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS)
program, SpaceX will perform three flights of the Dragon spacecraft
to demonstrate delivery of cargo to the ISS as well as returning
cargo to Earth. Following those flights, SpaceX will begin the NASA
Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract, conducting a minimum
of 12 cargo flights between 2010 and 2015 with a guaranteed minimum
of 20,000 kg to be carried to the ISS.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 is a medium-to-heavy lift, two-stage launch
vehicle capable of lifting approximately 11 tons to low Earth orbit
(LEO) and in excess of 4.5 tons to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit
(GTO). Designed to the highest levels of reliability and
performance, SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft were selected
by NASA to resupply the ISS when the Space Shuttle retires.
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