SpaceX CRS-8
Artist rendering of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft being berthed to ISS | |
Mission type | ISS resupply |
---|---|
Operator | SpaceX/NASA |
COSPAR ID | 2016-024A |
SATCAT no. | 41452 |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft type | Dragon |
Manufacturer | SpaceX |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | April 8, 2016 [1] |
Rocket | Falcon 9 v1.1 FT [2] |
Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC-40 |
Contractor | SpaceX |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Low Earth |
Inclination | 51.6 degrees |
Epoch | Planned |
Berthing at ISS | |
Berthing port | Harmony nadir |
Payload | |
BEAM | |
SpaceX CRS-8, also known as SpX-8,[3] is a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station scheduled for 8th April 2016. It will be the tenth flight for SpaceX's uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft and the eighth operational mission contracted to NASA under a Commercial Resupply Services contract.[4] The mission has been contracted by NASA and will be flown by SpaceX.
Launch schedule history
The launch was notionally scheduled by NASA to occur no earlier than September 2, 2015.[4][5] The launch date went under review pending the outcome of the analysis of the failure of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle in SpaceX CRS-7, a June 2015 flight. The return to flight (RTF) project included additional improvements.[6]
With additional manifest changes announced by SpaceX in mid-October, it is planned to be the third launch of Falcon 9 using the modified higher-thrust Falcon 9 rocket.[7] By March 2016, it was scheduled to be launched around April 8, 2016.[1][8]
On 10 February 2016, NASA was assessing whether CRS-8 may be delayed due to an earlier Orbital Cygnus flight to the ISS being delayed by mold on fabric cargo bags.[9][needs update]
Primary payload
NASA has contracted for the CRS-8 mission from SpaceX and therefore determines the orbital parameters for the primary payload: the Dragon space capsule.
The flight is scheduled to deliver the first expandable module to the station, called The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM). It is expected to perform at least two years of observation and testing.[4] [10]
Secondary payload
The secondary payload consists of sixteen Flock 2d 3U CubeSats. The Flock Earth observing constellation is built and operated by Planet Labs.[11]
References
- ^ a b "Spaceflight Now — Launch schedule". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ "SpaceX Will Debut Upgraded Falcon 9 Rocket on Return to Flight Mission". space.com. September 6, 2015.
- ^ Hartman, Daniel (July 2014). "Status of the ISS USOS" (PDF). NASA Advisory Council HEOMD Committee. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
- ^ a b c "NASA to Test Bigelow Expandable Module on Space Station". NASA. January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
- ^ "Worldwide Launch Schedule". SpaceflightNow. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ SpaceX conducts additional Falcon 9 improvements ahead of busy schedule, 7 September 2015, accessed 17 October 2015
- ^ de Selding, Peter B. (October 16, 2015). "SpaceX Changes its Falcon 9 Return-to-flight Plans". SpaceNews. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
- ^ Cooper, Ben. "Rocket Launch Viewing Guide for Cape Canaveral - Atlas 5, Delta 4 & Falcon 9". Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ Irene Klotz (February 10, 2016). "NASA delays space station cargo run due to mold on packing bags". Reuters.
- ^ "SpaceX-8 Experiments to Cover Habitat, Drug Research". March 18, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter Dirk (January 16, 2016). "The Flock Earth observing constellation". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved January 22, 2016.