SpaceX DragonLab & update

[Dr Mordrid]

FlightGlobal article...

SpaceX launches DragonLab for recoverable scientific payload service

By Rob Coppinger

Space Exploration Technologies is offering its Dragon capsule as a recoverable science cargo spacecraft with a first commercial flight target of 2010.

With the ability to return up to 3,000kg (6,600lb) of payload to Earth, SpaceX envisages that uses for its "DragonLab" will include instruments and sensor testing, radio and microgravity research, Earth observation and space environment and materials studies.

With flights lasting from a week to two years Dragon has a science payload volume capacity of up to 10m³ (352.5ft³) for experiments that need to be pressurized and 14m³ of unpressurized storage in the vehicle's trunk.

"We have a five-month turnaround [from authority to proceed to launch] that is faster than Shuttle for [International Space] station," says SpaceX's senior mission manager Max Vozoff.

He adds that the company already has one potential customer interested in a flight in 2010. Customers would buy a payload slot and that could be as the primary payload - able to decide when the launch takes place - or as a secondary payload.

Small satellites could also be deployed from the vehicle, stored within Dragon's unpressurized trunk. Possible customers include NASA centers, the US department of defence and commercial markets such as universities and corporations.

Dragon is designed as a man-rated vehicle that can carry cargo or a crew. Its launch vehicle SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is expected to make its maiden flight from Cape Canaveral next year. Designed before NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) programme began, the vehicle has since become a COTS candidate.

ALSO

SpaceX Receives USAF Operational License for Cape Canaveral Launch Site

PRESS RELEASE

Date Released: Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Company Remains on Schedule to Initiate Falcon 9 Commercial Operations in Q4 2008

Cape Canaveral FL - Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) has been granted an Operational License by the US Air Force for the use of Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on the Florida coast. Receipt of the license, in conjunction with the approved Site Plan, paves the way for SpaceX to initiate Falcon 9 launch operations later this year.

(NOTE: SLC-40 is the pad formerly used by the massive Titan IV booster - Falcon 9 Heavy will need something that big, and tough)

"We are developing Falcon 9 to be a valuable asset to the American space launch fleet," said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. "The support we received from General Helms and the US Air Force has been immensely helpful in developing the pathfinder processes necessary for SpaceX to realize commercial space flights from the Cape."

"Our developments at Complex 40 continue with great speed," added Brian Mosdell, Director of Florida Launch Operations for SpaceX. "We have moved our massive oxygen storage tank into place, and expect to complete construction of our hangar later this year."

Mosdell cited other supporters instrumental to SpaceX's efforts including the members of the Florida congressional delegation, the USAF Space Command, Col. Scott Henderson, Commander, 45th Launch Group, Col. (ret.) Mark Bontrager, formerly Commander of the 45th Mission Support Group, the public-private partnership Space Florida, and the Space Coast Economic Development Commission. In operation since 1965, and located south of NASA's launch sites for the Apollo moon missions and Space Shuttle flights, SLC-40 has hosted numerous historic launches, including the departure of two interplanetary missions: the Mars Observer satellite, and the Cassini spacecraft now exploring the rings and moons of the planet Saturn.

[Dr Mordrid]

Almost forgot: Elon Musks recent statements indicate a new version of Falcon 9 - Falcon 9 Heavy H. The H would have a cryogenic hydrogen second stage, giving it a much larger lift capacity. A space blogger who has talked to Musk says at least 45 mT/100,000 lbs to low Earth orbit. This is much more payload the shuttle can place in orbit; about 29 mT. With 2-3 launches of this beast you could do a Mars mission. With 1 NASA wouldn't need the Ares I for launching their Orion.

Full Space Review article....

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Even while SpaceX is working out the kinks with the Falcon 1, it’s looking ahead to even more powerful vehicles than the Falcon 9. Already on the drawing boards is the Falcon 9 Heavy, which would use three Falcon 9 first stages, analogous to the Delta 4 Heavy. Musk revealed that SpaceX is considering further augmenting its performance with a cryogenic upper stage engine powered by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

Musk said that the addition of the cryogenic upper stage—creating what he called the “Falcon 9 Heavy H”—could have important implications for Mars exploration and even settlement. “If you can do a couple launches of the Falcon 9 Heavy with a cryogenic upper stage, that would give you a sort of Saturn 5 capability,” he said.

Musk said that development of the hydrogen engine would start “probably early next year”, with the aim of having the upper stage ready in about five years. “There are a lot of risks associated with that because it’s a very difficult stage to do and we want to ensure that, at least foundationally, it’s capable of very reliable restarts,” he cautioned. The development cost of the Falcon 9 Heavy H “is hard to say” at this stage, he said, but thought it was on the order of $1–2 billion, a large portion of which would be funded by ongoing revenues, with some additional outside investment.

“Things are certainly progressing,” Musk said. “Unfortunately not as fast as I would have liked, but we are still making good progress. And we’ll keep going until we ultimately have some ability to get to Mars.”

How big will the Falcon 9 Heavy H be? The below image is just the interstage (the carbon composite connector between the 1st & 2nd stages) for the Falcon 9 (UN-heavy). Not the size compared to the man at the right. Now add 3 side-by-side 100+ foot first stages the same diameter, a 50+ foot second stage and a huge cargo fairing 50% wider than the interstage and about 50% longer (or a Dragon/DragonLab spacecraft).

This SOB will be H-U-G-E