Updates SpaceX Falcon 9 F5 CRS SpX-2 through CRS SpX-12 Updates

[RisingFury]

Hmmm, SpaceX is still determined to fly all customers in 2015, but if they only return to flight this fall, that might be tricky.

 

[RGClark]

Because there is more than one supplier for such struts and usually, if you properly specify and test the whole batches delivered, you should get no problems.

I suspect a MBA was handling the procurement of the struts and did not notice at first sight of the offer, that the struts might be inadequate. An engineer might have felt quickly that something is a bit on the too-light side.

You're suggesting they did it for price and I suspect you're right. Probably a case where the OldSpace companies, using the same tried and proven suppliers, did it the right way.

Bob Clark

 

[boogabooga]

It's really sad to hear that Dragon survived and could have been saved. I imagine the hardware aboard could have been saved as well.

At least it's not a serious design flaw. Oh well...

Given a salt water landing, I think they could have a least made up the scrap metal value of the IDA...

 

[Fabri91]

The IDA was stored in the unpressurized trunk, while from the pictures IIRC it appeared that only the pressurized part (the capsule itself) survived.

 

[boogabooga]

What about if the parachutes had worked?

 

[MaverickSawyer]

What about if the parachutes had worked?

Then they would have recovered the Dragon capsule, but not the trunk.

 

[Cairan]

Then they would have recovered the Dragon capsule, but not the trunk.

Still better to recover the equipment going up than letting it blow up. I don't remember this flight's cargo manifest, but from memory Dragon is so far the only vehicule that can shuffle experiment racks up and down, because it berth to CBM ports rather than docks with the smaller russian docking ports.

 

[Quick_Nick]

An explanation I can understand
(hopefully it's accurate)

 

[Urwumpe]

First manned flight

Seems like SpaceX has secured the CCtCap NASA contract for their first manned mission.

http://www.space.com/31198-nasa-spa...=10153171505396466&adbpl=fb&adbpr=17610706465

 

[Notebook]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34941386

Debris from a Nasa rocket which blew up moments after take-off appears to have reached the Isles of Scilly.


The unmanned Falcon-9 SpaceX rocket, which was carrying supplies, exploded as it left Cape Canaveral in Florida in June.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34941386

Some detective work from the web seems to indicate that this might come from the CRS-4 launch last September instead.

 

[Urwumpe]

At least it is a major part of a Dragon capsule launch - but the drift current speed method has some errors in it. The north Atlantic current is pretty slow (0.1 m/s), but the Gulf stream leading to it is much faster (up to 2.5 m/s)

http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/atlantic/spaghetti-speed.html

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Does this interstage separate or does it remain attached to the first stage? If it separates in flight, it could have gone quite a distance downrange, couldn't it?

 

[DaveS]

Does this interstage separate or does it remain attached to the first stage? If it separates in flight, it could have gone quite a distance downrange, couldn't it?

It remains bolted to the first stage.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Pretty awesome part to find, with the flag and the Falcon 9 art.

It would look good in a pub!

Does maritime salvage law apply here? Finders keepers?

 

[Notebook]

Could get tricky, The Receiver Of Wrecks is involved
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Receiver_of_Wreck

Traditionally, salvage was an important economic source in coastal areas and sometimes exposed the savage and merciless nature of those around the coast. Folklore has it that some coastal dwellers enticed ships to a watery grave by luring them onto the rocks. This was known as Wrecking. So that order could be maintained and local people encouraged to save those in peril and their belongings rather than pillage them, Receivers of Wreck were appointed to keep order and reward those who assisted in a wreck event. Historically, Receivers were given powers which allowed them to "hurt, maim or kill" anyone obstructing them in their duties. Theoretically at least Receivers of Wreck were permitted to carry weapons with which to defend themselves whilst carrying out their duties up until 1997.

The Act of 1995 updates the prior Merchant Shipping Act 1894. The Receiver is an official under Admiralty Jurisdiction.

"hurt, maim or kill

Then again, they might just let SpaceX have their rocket back!

N.

 

[Evil_Onyx]

If SpaceX want it back, they will probably cover the cost/loss of earnings of the recovering vessel, plus a finders fee. But it is salvage, so if SpaceX does not say they want it, it can be sold on to who ever wants it. After a year of course.

 

[boogabooga]

Why would SpaceX want it back? It is barnacle-covered garbage.

Reuse has its limits.

 

[Notebook]

Maybe from an engineering aspect, see what stress its been exposed to?

N.

 

[boogabooga]

The stress of impacting the ocean is of no concern to them.