DOCSLIB.ORG

Commercial Orbital Transportation Services

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Commercial Orbital Transportation Services National Aeronautics and Space Administration Commercial Orbital Transportation Services A New Era in Spaceflight NASA/SP-2014-617 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services A New Era in Spaceflight On the cover: Background photo: The terminator—the line separating the sunlit side of Earth from the side in darkness—marks the changeover between day and night on the ground. By establishing government-industry partnerships, the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program marked a change from the traditional way NASA had worked. Inset photos, right: The COTS program supported two U.S. companies in their efforts to design and build transportation systems to carry cargo to low-Earth orbit. (Top photo—Credit: SpaceX) SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket on May 22, 2012, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Second photo) Three days later, the company successfully completed the mission that sent its Dragon spacecraft to the Station. (Third photo—Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls) Orbital Sciences Corp. sent its Antares rocket on its test flight on April 21, 2013, from a new launchpad on Virginia’s eastern shore. Later that year, the second Antares lifted off with Orbital’s cargo capsule, (Fourth photo) the Cygnus, that berthed with the ISS on September 29, 2013. Both companies successfully proved the capability to deliver cargo to the International Space Station by U.S. commercial companies and began a new era of spaceflight. ISS photo, center left: Benefiting from the success of the partnerships is the International Space Station, pictured as seen by the last Space Shuttle crew that visited the orbiting laboratory (July 19, 2011). More photos of the ISS are featured on the first pages of each chapter. ii Preface This document provides a history of the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program executed by the Commercial Crew & Cargo Program Office from 2006 to 2013 at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. The story was superbly written by Rebecca Hackler in coordination with Rebecca Wright of the JSC History Office. They spent countless hours interviewing dozens of key leaders and participants who shaped the direction and outcome of the program. Their work is greatly appreciated as well as all those who dedicated many years of service to the success of COTS. It was certainly an honor and privilege for me to have the opportunity to lead this effort and work with such extraordinary and inspirational people. I am hopeful history will show our work over these few short years had long-lasting, transformational effects on the future of commercial spaceflight in America. Alan Lindenmoyer, Program Manager February 2014 For more information on NASA Commercial Crew & Cargo Program, visit www.nasa.gov/cots iii Contents Preface ...................................... iii Chapter 5: Commercial Partners ......49 Space Exploration Technologies Corp. ..................50 Introduction . .v Rocketplane Kistler .................................59 Chapter 1: Laying the Foundation ......1 Orbital Sciences Corp................................64 NASA and Industry ..................................2 Chapter 6: Collaboration ................77 Key Concepts .....................................11 International Space Station ...........................78 Chapter 2: Concept to Reality..........15 Federal Aviation Administration ........................85 Leadership and Coalescence .........................16 Chapter 7: First Steps Toward Legal Team and Space Act Agreements .................19 Commercial Crew.........................87 Thinking Like an Investor .............................20 Commercial Crew Development .......................88 International Space Station ...........................23 Commercial Crew Program ...........................90 Foundation Ready ..................................24 Chapter 8: Legacy ........................91 Chapter 3: Competition ..................25 From Contingency to Dependency .....................92 Round 1 .........................................26 The COTS Model: A New Way.........................95 Round 2 .........................................31 Conclusion .......................................99 Unfunded Space Act Agreements ......................33 Appendix ...................................101 Chapter 4: Program ......................35 Acknowledgments.................................102 Funding ..........................................36 COTS Model for NASA Public-Private Partnerships ........103 Organization ......................................39 Chronology ......................................110 Operations........................................45 COTS Oral History Interviews ........................114 Bibliography .....................................115 Endnotes........................................118 iv Introduction In May 2012, the SpaceX Dragon made headlines as it If successful, this program promised to support President became the first commercial spacecraft to deliver cargo to George W. Bush’s 2004 Vision for Space Exploration by the International Space Station (ISS). In September 2013, filling a gap in resupply services to ISS. New commercial NASA saw a second commercial partner, Orbital Sciences vehicles could take over the task of ferrying cargo to and Corp., follow with its own resupply mission to the ISS. from low-Earth orbit after the planned 2010 retirement of These successful missions represented the fruition of the Space Shuttle, allowing NASA’s new spacecraft, the six years of intensive work executed under partnership Orion capsule and Ares rocket, to explore space beyond agreements between NASA and the commercial space the Moon and eventually on to Mars. community—partnerships that both resulted in the In addition to allowing NASA to focus on extending availability of cost-effective cargo transportation services humanity’s presence in space, COTS would stimulate for the Agency, and the advancement of the U.S. efforts within the private sector to develop and operate safe, commercial space industry. reliable, and cost-effective commercial space transportation NASA’s support was critical to the companies’ success. systems. Besides supporting ISS, these commercial Said Gwynne E. Shotwell, President of the Space capabilities could ultimately benefit the U.S. economy Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), “We would not by making domestic launch vehicles more competitive in be the company that we are today without the support global markets. In turn, lower launch costs could bolster of NASA,” continuing, “We’d probably be limping along, opportunities for other space markets to grow. trying to change the world, but limping instead of running.”1 One of the first of NASA’s commercial partners selected Orbital President and CEO David W. Thompson echoed in August 2006, SpaceX, represented the unequivocal the sentiment as he described how NASA was “very helpful success of the COTS model. Shortly after its successful in helping us work through various kinds of problems that ISS demonstration mission in May 2012, the company came up,” concluding that “it’s been a great relationship.”2 quickly provided two critical resupply service missions to These partnerships had their origin in 2005, when NASA the orbiting laboratory under NASA’s follow-on Commercial Administrator Michael D. Griffin was appointed and, with Resupply Services (CRS) contract. the support of the presidential administration and Congress, The other partner chosen in the initial selection was allocated a fixed $500 million contribution from NASA’s less fortunate. NASA terminated its relationship with budget for the instigation of commercial transportation Rocketplane Kistler (RpK) in October 2007 after the capabilities to low-Earth orbit. The new Commercial Crew company failed to raise sufficient private funding to & Cargo Program Office (C3PO) at the Johnson Space continue vehicle development. Orbital Sciences Corp., Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas was charged with the task selected as a COTS partner to replace RpK in February of “stimulating commercial enterprise in space by asking 2008, completed its ISS demonstration mission in the American entrepreneurs to provide innovative, cost-effective fall of 2013, and joined SpaceX as the second company commercial cargo and crew transportation services to the NASA would rely on for cargo delivery services to ISS. 3 [international] space station.” This report charts the origins and execution of the NASA From 2006 to 2013, under the Commercial Orbital COTS program, including the elements and people that Transportation Services (COTS) program managed by ultimately made the COTS model a success. C3PO, NASA acted as an investor and advisor with three different and distinct companies in the space transportation industry to promote the development of U.S. space transportation capabilities on the frontier of human exploration. v vi Laying the Foundation NASA and Industry Key Concepts CHAPTER 1 – LAYING THE FOUNDATION 1 chapter 1 The NASA Commercial Crew & Cargo Program Office (C3PO), formally established in November 2005, represented the culmination of years, even decades, of initiatives to encourage the growth of the private spaceflight sector in the U.S. Although the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) government-private sector partnerships established by C3PO represented a new way of doing business in the realm of human spaceflight, such symbiotic relationships have occurred throughout U.S. history. The year 1869 saw the completion of
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Spacex Launch Manifest - a List of Upcoming Missions 25 Spacex Facilities 27 Dragon Overview 29 Falcon 9 Overview 31 45Th Space Wing Fact Sheet
    COTS 2 Mission Press Kit SpaceX/NASA Launch and Mission to Space Station CONTENTS 3 Mission Highlights 4 Mission Overview 6 Dragon Recovery Operations 7 Mission Objectives 9 Mission Timeline 11 Dragon Cargo Manifest 13 NASA Slides – Mission Profile, Rendezvous, Maneuvers, Re-Entry and Recovery 15 Overview of the International Space Station 17 Overview of NASA’s COTS Program 19 SpaceX Company Overview 21 SpaceX Leadership – Musk & Shotwell Bios 23 SpaceX Launch Manifest - A list of upcoming missions 25 SpaceX Facilities 27 Dragon Overview 29 Falcon 9 Overview 31 45th Space Wing Fact Sheet HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOS AND VIDEO SpaceX will post photos and video throughout the mission. High-Resolution photographs can be downloaded from: http://spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com Broadcast quality video can be downloaded from: https://vimeo.com/spacexlaunch/videos MORE RESOURCES ON THE WEB Mission updates will be posted to: For NASA coverage, visit: www.SpaceX.com http://www.nasa.gov/spacex www.twitter.com/elonmusk http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv www.twitter.com/spacex http://www.nasa.gov/station www.facebook.com/spacex www.youtube.com/spacex 1 WEBCAST INFORMATION The launch will be webcast live, with commentary from SpaceX corporate headquarters in Hawthorne, CA, at www.spacex.com. The webcast will begin approximately 40 minutes before launch. SpaceX hosts will provide information specific to the flight, an overview of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, and commentary on the launch and flight sequences. It will end when the Dragon spacecraft separates
    [Show full text]
  • SPEAKERS TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE FAA COMMERCIAL SPACE 15TH ANNUAL John R
    15TH ANNUAL FAA COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE SPEAKERS COMMERCIAL SPACE TRANSPORTATION http://www.faa.gov/go/ast 15-16 FEBRUARY 2012 HQ-12-0163.INDD John R. Allen Christine Anderson Dr. John R. Allen serves as the Program Executive for Crew Health Christine Anderson is the Executive Director of the New Mexico and Safety at NASA Headquarters, Washington DC, where he Spaceport Authority. She is responsible for the development oversees the space medicine activities conducted at the Johnson and operation of the first purpose-built commercial spaceport-- Space Center, Houston, Texas. Dr. Allen received a B.A. in Speech Spaceport America. She is a recently retired Air Force civilian Communication from the University of Maryland (1975), a M.A. with 30 years service. She was a member of the Senior Executive in Audiology/Speech Pathology from The Catholic University Service, the civilian equivalent of the military rank of General of America (1977), and a Ph.D. in Audiology and Bioacoustics officer. Anderson was the founding Director of the Space from Baylor College of Medicine (1996). Upon completion of Vehicles Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland his Master’s degree, he worked for the Easter Seals Treatment Air Force Base, New Mexico. She also served as the Director Center in Rockville, Maryland as an audiologist and speech- of the Space Technology Directorate at the Air Force Phillips language pathologist and received certification in both areas. Laboratory at Kirtland, and as the Director of the Military Satellite He joined the US Air Force in 1980, serving as Chief, Audiology Communications Joint Program Office at the Air Force Space at Andrews AFB, Maryland, and at the Wiesbaden Medical and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles where she directed Center, Germany, and as Chief, Otolaryngology Services at the the development, acquisition and execution of a $50 billion Aeromedical Consultation Service, Brooks AFB, Texas, where portfolio.
    [Show full text]
  • Orbital Lifetime Predictions
    Orbital LIFETIME PREDICTIONS An ASSESSMENT OF model-based BALLISTIC COEFfiCIENT ESTIMATIONS AND ADJUSTMENT FOR TEMPORAL DRAG co- EFfiCIENT VARIATIONS M.R. HaneVEER MSc Thesis Aerospace Engineering Orbital lifetime predictions An assessment of model-based ballistic coecient estimations and adjustment for temporal drag coecient variations by M.R. Haneveer to obtain the degree of Master of Science at the Delft University of Technology, to be defended publicly on Thursday June 1, 2017 at 14:00 PM. Student number: 4077334 Project duration: September 1, 2016 – June 1, 2017 Thesis committee: Dr. ir. E. N. Doornbos, TU Delft, supervisor Dr. ir. E. J. O. Schrama, TU Delft ir. K. J. Cowan MBA TU Delft An electronic version of this thesis is available at http://repository.tudelft.nl/. Summary Objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) experience low levels of drag due to the interaction with the outer layers of Earth’s atmosphere. The atmospheric drag reduces the velocity of the object, resulting in a gradual decrease in altitude. With each decayed kilometer the object enters denser portions of the atmosphere accelerating the orbit decay until eventually the object cannot sustain a stable orbit anymore and either crashes onto Earth’s surface or burns up in its atmosphere. The capability of predicting the time an object stays in orbit, whether that object is space junk or a satellite, allows for an estimate of its orbital lifetime - an estimate satellite op- erators work with to schedule science missions and commercial services, as well as use to prove compliance with international agreements stating no passively controlled object is to orbit in LEO longer than 25 years.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2014 OUR VISION
    AMOS Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems Annual Report 2014 Annual Report OUR VISION To establish a world-leading research centre for autonomous marine operations and systems: To nourish a lively scientific heart in which fundamental knowledge is created through multidisciplinary theoretical, numerical, and experimental research within the knowledge fields of hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, guidance, navigation, and control. Cutting-edge inter-disciplinary research will provide the necessary bridge to realise high levels of autonomy for ships and ocean structures, unmanned vehicles, and marine operations and to address the challenges associated with greener and safer maritime transport, monitoring and surveillance of the coast and oceans, offshore renewable energy, and oil and gas exploration and production in deep waters and Arctic waters. Editors: Annika Bremvåg and Thor I. Fossen Copyright AMOS, NTNU, 2014 www.ntnu.edu/amos AMOS • Annual Report 2014 Table of Contents Our Vision ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Director’s Report: Licence to Create............................................................................................................................. 4 Organization, Collaborators, and Facts and Figures 2014 ......................................................................................... 6 Presentation of New Affiliated Scientists...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Tventy Five Years with CANADARM
    Canada celebrates Tventy five years with CANADARM -Canada’s ticket to the Space Shuttle and ISS Human participation is necessary in order to build large constructions in Like a space – that is a fact, to put it mildly human arm - but without the use of the right tools it will be impossible. With nerves When the plans for a shuttle of copper wiring, system first were introduced, a bones of graphite manipulator system was introduced as fibre, and electric a necessity, a robotic arm that could motors for muscles, deploy and retrieve space hardware Canadarm is like from the payload bay of the shuttle. the human arm. It Canadian industrial companies has rotating joints: accepted the challenge, and the two at the shoulder, manipulator system, Canadarm, made one at the elbow its space debut in November, 1981. and three at the The design and building of the Shuttle wrist. At 15 metres Remote Manipulator System also and weighing less marked the beginning of Canada’s than 480 kilograms, close collaboration with NASA in Canadarm can manned space flight. lift over 30,000 But the development did not kilograms in the stop there. A similar system for the weightlessness of Canadarm2 gives Canadian scientists space station was developed, and in space-or the mass of a fully loaded access to the Station’s laboratory April 2001, Space Shuttle Endeavour bus, using less electricity than a facilities to conduct experiments. delivered a package that was Canada’s teakettle. It also entitles key contribution to the International The brain of “In fact, the Station could Canada to send the system is a an astronaut to Space Station, the Canadarm 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Development of the Crew Dragon ECLSS
    ICES-2020-333 Development of the Crew Dragon ECLSS Jason Silverman1, Andrew Irby2, and Theodore Agerton3 Space Exploration Technologies, Hawthorne, California, 90250 SpaceX designed the Crew Dragon spacecraft to be the safest ever flown and to restore the ability of the United States to launch astronauts. One of the key systems required for human flight is the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), which was designed to work in concert with the spacesuit and spacecraft. The tight coupling of many subsystems combined with an emphasis on simplicity and fault tolerance created unique challenges and opportunities for the design team. During the development of the crew ECLSS, the Dragon 1 cargo spacecraft flew with a simple ECLSS for animals, providing an opportunity for technology development and the early characterization of system-level behavior. As the ECLSS design matured a series of tests were conducted, including with humans in a prototype capsule in November 2016, the Demo-1 test flight to the ISS in March 2019, and human-in-the-loop ground testing in the Demo-2 capsule in January 2020 before the same vehicle performs a crewed test flight. This paper describes the design and operations of the ECLSS, the development process, and the lessons learned. Nomenclature AC = air conditioning AQM = air quality monitor AVV = active vent valve CCiCap = Commercial Crew Integrated Capability CCtCap = Commercial Crew Transportation Capability CFD = computational fluid dynamics conops = concept of operations COPV = composite overwrapped
    [Show full text]
  • Human Behavior During Spaceflight - Videncee from an Analog Environment
    Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research Volume 25 Number 1 JAAER Fall 2015 Article 2 Fall 2015 Human Behavior During Spaceflight - videnceE From an Analog Environment Kenny M. Arnaldi Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, [email protected] Guy Smith Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, [email protected] Jennifer E. Thropp Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.erau.edu/jaaer Part of the Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, and the Other Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons Scholarly Commons Citation Arnaldi, K. M., Smith, G., & Thropp, J. E. (2015). Human Behavior During Spaceflight - videnceE From an Analog Environment. Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research, 25(1). https://doi.org/ 10.15394/jaaer.2015.1676 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Arnaldi et al.: Human Behavior During Spaceflight - Evidence From an Analog Environment Introduction Four years after the launch of Sputnik, the world’s first artificial satellite, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to reach space (National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA], 2011a). The United States soon followed on the path of manned space exploration with Project Mercury. Although this program began with suborbital flights, manned spacecraft were subsequently launched into orbit around the Earth (NASA, 2012). With President Kennedy setting the goal of landing a man on the moon, NASA focused on short-duration orbital flights as a stepping-stone to lunar missions.
    [Show full text]
  • Spacecraft System Failures and Anomalies Attributed to the Natural Space Environment
    NASA Reference Publication 1390 - j Spacecraft System Failures and Anomalies Attributed to the Natural Space Environment K.L. Bedingfield, R.D. Leach, and M.B. Alexander, Editor August 1996 NASA Reference Publication 1390 Spacecraft System Failures and Anomalies Attributed to the Natural Space Environment K.L. Bedingfield Universities Space Research Association • Huntsville, Alabama R.D. Leach Computer Sciences Corporation • Huntsville, Alabama M.B. Alexander, Editor Marshall Space Flight Center • MSFC, Alabama National Aeronautics and Space Administration Marshall Space Flight Center ° MSFC, Alabama 35812 August 1996 PREFACE The effects of the natural space environment on spacecraft design, development, and operation are the topic of a series of NASA Reference Publications currently being developed by the Electromagnetics and Aerospace Environments Branch, Systems Analysis and Integration Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center. This primer provides an overview of seven major areas of the natural space environment including brief definitions, related programmatic issues, and effects on various spacecraft subsystems. The primary focus is to present more than 100 case histories of spacecraft failures and anomalies documented from 1974 through 1994 attributed to the natural space environment. A better understanding of the natural space environment and its effects will enable spacecraft designers and managers to more effectively minimize program risks and costs, optimize design quality, and achieve mission objectives. .o° 111 TABLE OF CONTENTS
    [Show full text]
  • Get Ready to Launch! with NASA's Commercial Crew
    Get ready to LAUNCH! with NASA’s Commercial Crew What is What are they Where are they Commercial Crew? launching? going? Boeing SpaceX CST-100 Starliner Crew Dragon National Aeronautics and Space Administration www.nasa.gov SP-2019-04-575-KSC Boeing Crew Flight Test SpaceX Demo 2 Nicole Aunapu Mann A NEW SPACE AGE Bob Behnken NASA Astronaut NASA’s Commercial Crew Program spacecraft and rockets will carry up to four astronauts NASA Astronaut Marine Corps Air Force Colonel and about 220 pounds of cargo to and from the International Space Station. Commercial Lieutenant Colonel crew will resume human spaceflight launches from the United States and provide the nation Flew aboard space shuttle Endeavour twice as a Mission Selected as an Astronaut in 2013, with two unique spacecraft, two human-rated rockets and the necessary ground support this is Nicole’s first spaceflight. Specialist, first on STS-123 and systems. NASA and our commercial partners, Boeing and SpaceX, are working together to then on STS-130. open access to low-Earth orbit. Chris Ferguson Boeing Astronaut BUILDING A NEW AMERICAN CAPABILITY Doug Hurley Navy Captain (retired) NASA’s Commercial Crew Program has been redefining space system development for NASA Astronaut Marine Corps Colonel Piloted space shuttle Atlantis low-Earth orbit by forming strong public-private partnerships with the aerospace industry to for STS-115, and commanded encourage innovation while maintaining NASA’s high safety standards and leveraging NASA’s (retired) shuttle Endeavour on STS-126 Piloted space shuttle Endeavor and Atlantis on STS-135, the 50 plus years of spaceflight experience.
    [Show full text]
  • SGAC-Annual-Report-2014.Pdf
    ANNUAL REPORT SPACE GENERATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 2014 In support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications A. TABLE OF CONTENTS A. Table of Contents 2 In support of the United Nations Programme B. Sponsors and Partners 4 on Space Applications 1. Introduction 10 1.1 About the SGAC 12 14 c/o European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) 1.2 Letter from the Co-chairs 15 Schwarzenbergplatz 6 1.3 Letter from the Executive Director 16 Vienna A-1030 1.4 SGAC output at a glance AUSTRIA 2. SGAC Background 22 2.1 History of the SGAC 24 26 [email protected] 2.2 Leadership and Structure 27 www.spacegeneration.org 2.3 Programme +41 1 718 11 18 30 3. The organisation in 2014 30 32 +43 1 718 11 18 99 3.1 Goal Achievement Review 3.2 SGAC Activity Highlights 36 42 © 2015 Space Generation Advisory Council 3.3 Space Generation Fusion Forum Report 3.4 Space Generation Congress Report 50 3.5 United Nations Report 62 3.6 SGAC Regional Workshops 66 3.7 SGAC Supported Events 68 3.8 Financial Summary 72 Acknowledgements 4. Projects 78 4.1 Project Outcomes and Highlights 80 The SGAC 2014 Annual Report was compiled and 4.2 Space Technologies for Disaster Management Project Group 81 edited by Minoo Rathansabapathy (South Africa/ 4.3 Near Earth Objects Project Group 82 Australia), Andrea Jaime (Spain), Laura Rose (USA) 4.4 Space Law and Policy Project Group 84 and Arno Geens (Belgium) with the assistance of 4.5 Commercial Space Project Group 86 Candice Goodwin (South Africa), Justin Park (USA), 4.6 Space Safety and Sustainability Project Group 88 Nikita Marwaha (United Kingdom), Dario Schor 4.7 Small Satellites Project Group 90 (Argentina/Canada), Leo Teeney (UK) and Abhijeet 4.8 Space Exploration Project Group 92 Kumar (Australia) in editing.
    [Show full text]
  • Space Station Crew Answers Question About Micrometeorites - PSRD | a Cosmosparks Report
    Space Station Crew Answers Question About Micrometeorites - PSRD | A CosmoSparks report Quick Views of Big Advances Space Station Crew Answers Question about Micrometeorites Cosmochemists know space is not exactly empty. In fact, it's the solid material they seek to analyze: meteorites, asteroids, the Moon, planets, interplanetary dust particles, and stardust just to name a few. So when the astronauts on the International Space Station held a briefing on May 26, 2012 after the successful berthing and opening of the hatch to the SpaceX/Dragon capsule, PSRD's Linda Martel joined the Q&A to ask them more about the space environment, specifically micrometeorites. Expedition 30/31 flight engineer Don Pettit had inspected the outside of the Dragon capsule with binoculars the previous day and reported no micrometeorite damage. Martel asked Pettit to describe what micrometeorite damage would look like and if he had seen it, how that would have changed the procedures for berthing or hatch opening. Pettit's answer, in summary, was when micrometeorites impact the aluminum structure they make little craters, a millimeter or two in diameter, that have sharp edges. If the tiny pits Expedition 31 Flight Engineers (left to right) Don Pettit, Andre are on mating surfaces for pressure seals, they Kuipers, and Joe Acaba discuss SpaceX/Dragon's mission during can prevent a good seal. From inside the Space May 26, 2012 news conference from inside the Dragon Station, Pettit used binoculars to inspect the spacecraft. Photo credit: NASA TV. mating surfaces on the Dragon capsule that would be mating to the bottom flange surface of Node 2 to create the pressure seal between the inside of Dragon and the inside of the Space Station, thus keeping Space Station air from leaking out into space.
    [Show full text]
  • International Space Station Basics Components of The
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration International Space Station Basics The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest orbiting can see 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets each day! During the laboratory ever built. It is an international, technological, daylight periods, temperatures reach 200 ºC, while and political achievement. The five international partners temperatures during the night periods drop to -200 ºC. include the space agencies of the United States, Canada, The view of Earth from the ISS reveals part of the planet, Russia, Europe, and Japan. not the whole planet. In fact, astronauts can see much of the North American continent when they pass over the The first parts of the ISS were sent and assembled in orbit United States. To see pictures of Earth from the ISS, visit in 1998. Since the year 2000, the ISS has had crews living http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/sseop/clickmap/. continuously on board. Building the ISS is like living in a house while constructing it at the same time. Building and sustaining the ISS requires 80 launches on several kinds of rockets over a 12-year period. The assembly of the ISS Components of the ISS will continue through 2010, when the Space Shuttle is retired from service. The components of the ISS include shapes like canisters, spheres, triangles, beams, and wide, flat panels. The When fully complete, the ISS will weigh about 420,000 modules are shaped like canisters and spheres. These are kilograms (925,000 pounds). This is equivalent to more areas where the astronauts live and work. On Earth, car- than 330 automobiles.
    [Show full text]