Dragon SpX-17 (CRS-17), OCO-3, STP-H6 - Falcon 9-071 (B1056.1) - CCAFS SLC-40 - 04.05.2019 06:48 UTC

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04/29/2019 23:37 Stephen Clark

NASA managers are discussing whether an issue in the International Space Station's electrical power system detected Monday could impact Wednesday's scheduled launch of a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule to deliver food and experiments to the orbiting research complex.

Mission control in Houston have been studying the electrical system issue since Monday morning, NASA said in a statement.

"Monday morning, teams identified an issue with the International Space Station's electrical power system and are working to identify the root cause and restore full power to the system," the space agency said in an upd ated posted on its website. "There are no immediate concerns for the crew or the station."

In the update posted Monday afternoon, officials said engineers were examining an unspecified issue with a Main Bus Switching Unit, which distributes electricity generated by the space station's solar panels to key systems on-board the outpost.

The suspect unit under evaluation distributes power to two of eight power channels on the space station.

"Flight controllers have been working to route power through the remaining six power channels," NASA said. "Electrical power generated by the station's solar arrays is fed to all station systems through these power channels. Discussions are underway to determine any impacts to SpaceX's CRS-17 cargo resupply mission targeted for launch May 1."

Assuming the launch from Cape Canaveral is cleared for takeoff Wednesday, the Dragon cargo capsule is scheduled to arrive at the station early Saturday.

A launch readiness review is se t for Tuesday morning for SpaceX and NASA officials to discuss the status of the Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon cargo craft, the space station and ground systems ahead of final preflight preparations.

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Перенос не ранее чем на пятницу

04/30/2019 04:28 Stephen Clark

The launch of SpaceX's next cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station is expected to be rescheduled for no earlier than Friday morning, according to multiple sources.

The delay will allow time for NASA flight controllers in Houston to continue troubleshooting an issue with a distribution box in the space station's electrical power system. Engineers detected an issue with the Main Bus Switching Unit on Monday morning, and ground teams may elect to replace the component later this week, ahead of the SpaceX cargo launch.

The unit is one of several that routes power from the space station's U.S. solar arrays to the research outpost's electrical channels. The suspect unit distributes power to two of the eight electrical channels on the station.

Ground teams have replaced a failed Main Bus Switching Unit using the station's robotic arm before, eliminating the need for astronauts to conduct the work on a spacewalk.

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Michael Baylor‏ @nextspaceflight 15 мин. назад

#CRS17 is slipping to May 3rd due to issues with the power systems on the International Space Station. According to predictions via the GoISSWatch app, the T-0 should be around 3:12 local time (7:12 UTC). #SpaceX

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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/space-station-power-glitch-spacex-launch-preps/

Space station power glitch could delay SpaceX launch plans

BY WILLIAM HARWOOD
APRIL 29, 2019 / 6:20 PM / CBS NEWS

An electrical distribution unit aboard the International Space Station malfunctioned Monday, taking down two of the lab's eight power channels. The crew is in no danger while engineers troubleshoot the problem, officials said, but if it can't be resolved, the electrical box in question might have to be replaced with a spare, possibly prompting NASA to delay launch of a SpaceX Dragon supply ship Wednesday.

Assuming an on-time launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket, the Dragon cargo capsule, loaded with nearly 5,500 pounds of equipment and supplies, is expected to catch up with the station early Friday and then stand by while the lab's robot arm locks on and pulls it in for berthing.

The Canadian-built robot arm can be operated with a single power source, but NASA flight rules require two for redundancy. As it turns out, one of the two power circuits supporting arm operations was knocked out by the main bus switching unit problem that cropped up Monday.


During a 2012 spacewalk, Sunita Williams, seen here, and Aki Hoshide, out of view, completed installation of a replacement main bus switching unit, or MBSU, one of which is visible at lower right. Four MBSUs distribute electrical power from the station's solar arrays through eight power channels. An MBSU malfunctioned Monday, taking down two of those channels. Engineers are studying how to re-route that power in the near term. Spares are available if the MBSU has to be replaced.
NASA

A NASA official said power from the two channels fed by the main bus switching unit, or MBSU, could be re-routed using jumpers, but it was not clear whether that included power to the robot arm. NASA flight rules require redundant power for robot arm operations. If secondary power to the arm cannot somehow be re-routed or otherwise restored, and if the flight rule remains in force, the Dragon launch presumably would be delayed until after the MBSU could be replaced, either robotically or during a spacewalk.

The space station's primary solar power system consists of four rotating solar wings, two on the right side of the outpost's pressurized modules and two on the left. Four MBSU's, mounted in the center of the station's solar array truss, distribute power from the arrays downstream to various electrical circuits. The MBSU that malfunctioned took down power channels 3A and 3B. The system was designed so channels can be "cross tied" as needed to work around failures.

In 2017, an MBSU powering channels 2A and 2B suffered a malfunction, prompting flight controllers to replace it using the station's robot arm. Another MBSU was replaced during two spacewalks in 2012.

First published on April 29, 2019 / 6:20 PM

© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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https://ria.ru/20190430/1553173719.html

Запуск корабля Dragon перенесли на 3 мая, сообщил источник
10:30

МОСКВА, 30 апр - РИА Новости. Запуск грузового корабля Dragon перенесен с 1 на 3 мая вследствие проблем с системой электропитания американского сегмента МКС, сообщил РИА Новости во вторник источник в ракетно-космической отрасли.

В понедельник НАСА сообщило, что в системе электропитания американского сегмента МКС отказал блок подключения электропитания MBSU, в результате чего отключились два из восьми каналов электропитания. Специалисты перераспределяют электропитание через шесть работоспособных каналов.

"Запуск корабля Dragon отложен с 1 на 3 мая. Это даст специалистам НАСА дополнительное время, чтобы разобраться с проблемой в системе электропитания", - сказал собеседник агентства.

Спойлер

В настоящее время на борту МКС находится экипаж из россиян Олега Кононенко и Алексея Овчинина, американцев Энн Макклейн, Ника Хейга и Кристины Кук, а также канадца Давида Сен-Жака.

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Прогноз погоды L-2 (пуск 3 мая)

L-2 Forecast 3 May Launch

Пусковой день (03.05) - 60 % GO
Резервный день (04.05) - 70 % GO

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04/30/2019 16:36 Stephen Clark

Increasing cloud cover and rain chances over Florida's Space Coast are forecast later this week, and the official weather outlook for a possible Falcon 9 launch attempt early Friday calls for 60 percent probability for acceptable conditions at Cape Canaveral.

"Partly cloudy skies with easterly winds, gusty during peak heating hours, are expected over the Space Coast today," the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron wrote in a forecast issued this morning. "A slow moving upper-level low over the Bahamas is creating significant shower and thunderstorm activity in that area. This system is forecast to slowly weaken and slide north, bringing increasing cloud cover and threat of showers to the spaceport over the next few days."

Mostly cloudy skies and isolated rain showers are forecast to be in the area at Friday's launch time of 3:11 a.m. EDT (0711 GMT).

"By Friday, a frontal system will be making its way into the Gulf Coast states, further complicating the weather pattern. The primary concerns Friday are flight through precipitation, cumulus clouds, and thick cloud layers. Maximum upper-level winds will be from the southwest at 50 knots near 45,000 feet."

Surface winds will be from the southeast at 12 to 17 mph, and the temperature at launch time will be around 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight 5 мин. назад

ARTICLE:
Electrical issue on Station delays Dragon launch -

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/04/electrical-issue-station-dragon-crs-17/ ...

Warning, technical - so expect a bowl of acronym soup.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/04/30/dragon-cargo-mission-launch-no-earlier-than-may-3/

Dragon Cargo Mission Launch No Earlier than May 3

Mark Garcia
Posted Apr 30, 2019 at 11:23 am


The International Space Station was pictured by an Expedition 56 crewmember aboard a departing Soyuz crew ship on Oct. 4, 2018.

NASA has requested SpaceX move off from May 1 for the launch of the company's 17th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station.

On April 29, the space station team identified an issue with one of the station's Main Bus Switching Units that distributes power to two of the eight power channels on the station. There are no immediate concerns for the crew or the station. Teams are working on a plan to robotically replace the failed unit and restore full power to the station system. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. The earliest possible launch opportunity is no earlier than Friday, May 3.

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Raul‏ @Raul74Cz 4 ч. назад

Launch Hazard Areas for #SpaceX #CRS-17 mission according NOTMAR/NOTAMs, including B1056 droneship landing 20km offshore. Stage2 Reentry Debris Area south of Australia on the first orbit. https://goo.gl/HXcS8Q 

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex/2019/04/30/spacex-crs-17-launch-no-earlier-than-friday-may-3/
https://blogs.nasa.gov/kennedy/2019/04/30/spacex-crs-17-launch-no-earlier-than-friday-may-3/

SpaceX CRS-17 Launch No Earlier Than Friday, May 3

James Cawley
Posted Apr 30, 2019 at 11:49 am


CRS-17 is SpaceX's 17th Commercial Resupply Services Mission to the International Space Station. It will launch from from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station no earlier than Friday, May 3. Photo credit: SpaceX image

NASA has requested SpaceX move off from May 1 for the launch of the company's 17th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station.

On April 29, the space station team identified an issue with one of the station's Main Bus Switching Units that distributes power to two of the eight power channels on the station. There are no immediate concerns for the crew or the station. Teams are working on a plan to robotically replace the failed unit and restore full power to the station system. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available. The earliest possible launch opportunity is no earlier than Friday, May 3.

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https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/04/30/spacex-resupply-launch-delayed-by-malfunction-on-space-station/

SpaceX resupply launch delayed by malfunction on space station
April 30, 2019 | Stephen Clark

EDITOR'S NOTE: Updated at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) with NASA's confirmation of the delay.


A portion of a solar array wing on the International Space Station is visible in this image. Credit: NASA

A SpaceX Dragon supply ship packed with nearly three tons of experiments, crew provisions and supplies will remain on the ground until at least Friday morning to allow more time for NASA flight controllers to troubleshoot a problem with an electrical distribution unit on the International Space Station.

Multiple sources said Monday that the commercial resupply launch from Cape Canaveral, previously scheduled for Wednesday, will be pushed back at least two days to no earlier than Friday at 3:11 a.m. EDT (0711 GMT).

NASA confirmed the launch delay Tuesday.

The delay will allow time for NASA flight controllers at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to continue troubleshooting an issue with a distribution box in the space station's electrical power system. Engineers detected an issue with the Main Bus Switching Unit on Monday morning, and ground teams plan to replace the component later this week, ahead of the SpaceX cargo launch.

"Teams are working on a plan to robotically replace the failed unit and restore full power to the station system," NASA said in a statement Tuesday. "The earliest possible launch opportunity is no earlier than Friday, May 3."

The Main Bus Distribution Unit is one of several that routes power from the space station's U.S. solar arrays to the research outpost's electrical channels. The suspect unit distributes power to two of the eight electrical channels on the station, including a power supply for the space station's robotic arm, which the station astronauts will use to capture the Dragon cargo craft as it approaches the complex.

While the robotic arm remains powered through a separate channel, NASA flight rules require redundant power supplies for the arm during critical operations, such as the grapple of a free-flying spacecraft.

Ground teams have replaced a failed Main Bus Switching Unit using the station's robotic arm before. The capability to robotically replace the power distribution box means astronauts will not have to conduct a spacewalk for the task.

The electrical system glitch does not pose any immediate concern to the station or its six-person crew, NASA said.


NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3) and the U.S. military's Space Test Program-Houston 6 (STP-H6) payloads are in view installed in the trunk of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft inside the SpaceX facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 23, 2019. Credit: NASA

"Flight controllers have been working to route power through the remaining six power channels," NASA said in a previous statement released Monday. "Electrical power generated by the station's solar arrays is fed to all station systems through these power channels."

If the Dragon spacecraft had launched Wednesday, it was due to arrive at the station early Saturday. Assuming a launch from Cape Canaveral on Friday morning, the Dragon cargo freighter is scheduled to reach the complex early Sunday.

Forecasters with the U.S. Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron predict a 60 percent chance of favorable conditions for Friday's predawn launch opportunity, which is timed for when the space station's orbital plane passes over Cape Canaveral.

An outlook issued Tuesday identified concerns that weather at Cape Canaveral could violate weather rules relating to cumulus clouds, thick clouds and flight through precipitation.

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Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 3 мин. назад

Gerst: planning robotic changeout of faulty main bus switching unit on ISS on Thursday. If successful, move ahead with SpaceX Dragon cargo launch on Friday.

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Новое расписание трансляций НАСА (SpX-17)

https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/schedule.html

NASA Television Upcoming Events
Watch NASA TV

All times Eastern

May 3, Friday
2:45 a.m. – Coverage of the launch of the SpaceX CRS-17 Dragon Cargo Craft Mission to the nternational Space Station; launch is scheduled at 3:11 a.m. ET (All Channels)
4:30 a.m. – SpaceX CRS-17 Post-Launch News Conference (time subject to change) (All Channels)

May 5, Sunday
5 a.m. - Coverage of the rendezvous and capture of the SpaceX CRS-17 Dragon Cargo Craft at the International Space Station; capture scheduled at 6:45 a.m. ET (All Channels)
9 a.m. - Coverage of the installation of the SpaceX CRS-17 Dragon Cargo Craft to the International Space Station (All Channels)

UTC = EDT + 4 h (ДМВ = EDT + 7 h)

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https://tass.ru/kosmos/6394209

30 АПР, 19:43
Запуск корабля Dragon с грузом для МКС состоится не ранее 3 мая

Его перенесли из-за неполадок энергооборудования Международной космической станции

НЬЮ-ЙОРК, 30 апреля. /ТАСС/. Запуск ракеты-носителя Falcon-9 американской компании SpaceX с кораблем Dragon и грузом для экипажа МКС перенесен из-за неполадок энергооборудования станции и состоится не ранее 3 мая. Об этом говорится в заявлении, размещенном во вторник на сайте NASA.

"NASA запросило SpaceX перенести с 1 мая запуск 17-й коммерческой миссии по пополнению запасов на Международной космической станции", - говорится в документе. Согласно опубликованным данным, 29 апреля на МКС были обнаружены неполадки в энергооборудовании. Астронавты, находящиеся на станции, работают над их устранением. "Ближайшая возможная дата запуска [предвидится] не ранее пятницы, 3 мая", - сообщили в NASA.

Спойлер

Ранее сообщалось о том, что в американской части Международной космической станции была выявлена поломка, не сказавшаяся на работе российского сегмента. "На американском сегменте МКС были зафиксированы некоторые проблемы с энергоснабжением. Поломка не сказалась на работе российского сегмента МКС. Все системы работают штатно", - отметили в госкорпорации Роскосмос.

В последний раз запуск Dragon к МКС осуществлялся 5 декабря прошлого года. Он доставил на станцию свыше 2,5 тонны грузов, в том числе продовольствие, материалы для исследований и приборы, предназначенные для изучения явлений в атмосфере Земли. 14 января корабль вернулся на Землю, доставив с МКС результаты научных экспериментов. Он приводнился в Тихом океане у южного побережья штата Калифорния, причем это впервые произошло в темное время суток.

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https://tass.ru/kosmos/6394385

30 АПР, 20:47
В NASA назвали причину отсрочки запуска корабля Dragon к МКС

Это обусловлено неполадкой в блоке питания на Международной космической станции, отметили в Национальном управлении по аэронавтике и исследованию космического пространства США

НЬЮ-ЙОРК, 30 апреля. /ТАСС/. Перенос запуска ракеты-носителя Falcon-9 с космическим кораблем Dragon и грузом для экипажа Международной космической станции (МКС) на более поздний срок обусловлен неполадками в системе энергообеспечения американского сегмента МКС. Об этом сообщается во вторник на сайте Национального управления по аэронавтике и исследованию космического пространства США (NASA).

"Команда, отвечающая за космическую станцию, 29 апреля выявила проблему с одним коммутационным блоком, распределяющим электроэнергию на две из восьми энерголиний станции. Оснований для тревоги за экипаж или станцию не имеется. Команды работают над планом, предусматривающим замену неисправного элемента с помощью робота и полное возобновление подачи электроэнергии в систему станции", - пояснило космическое ведомство США.

Ранее NASA объявило о третьей по счету отсрочке запуска Dragon к МКС. Теперь ориентировочное время старта ракеты Falcon-9 с пускового комплекса базы ВВС США на мысе Канаверал (штат Флорида) - 3 мая в 03:11 по времени Восточного побережья США (10:11 мск).

Спойлер

Сейчас в составе экипажа МКС работают российские космонавты Олег Кононенко и Алексей Овчинин, астронавты Энн Макклейн, Кристина Кох, Ник Хейг (все трое - NASA) и Давид Сен-Жак (Канадское космическое агентство).

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Из переписки

yg1968‏ @yag1968 8 ч. назад

В ответ @jeff_foust

Jeff, do we know when the CRS-17 pre-launch press conference will be?


Jeff Foust‏ @jeff_foust 8 ч. назад

No earlier than Thursday.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/stationreport/2019/04/30/iss-daily-summary-report-4302019/

ISS Daily Summary Report – 4/30/2019

SpaceX (SpX)-17 Launch/Berthing Status:
Due to yesterday's MBSU 3 failure, SpX-17 launch is scheduled for May 3 with capture and berthing on May 5.

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Прогноз погоды L-1 (пуск 3 мая)

L-1 Forecast 3 May Launch

Пусковой день (03.05) - ↓ 40 % GO
Резервный день (04.05) - = 70 % GO

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05/01/2019 19:34 Stephen Clark

The weather forecast for SpaceX's next Falcon 9 launch opportunity has worsened, with meteorologists at the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron now predicting a 60 percent chance conditions will violate a launch weather rule.

Increasing cloudiness is expected over Florida's Space Coast today as a low pressure system over the Bahamas moves north.

"The cloudiness and showers are expected to continue through the day on Thursday as the low moves adjacent to the spaceport," forecasters wrote this morning. "There is also a slight risk of thunderstorms Thursday. The primary concerns Friday are flight through precipitation, cumulus clouds, and thick cloud layers. Maximum upper-level winds will be from the southwest at 55 knots near 45,000 feet."

Assuming the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon cargo craft are cleared for liftoff, the launch is scheduled for 3:11 a.m. EDT (0711 GMT) Friday from Cape Canaveral's Complex 40 launch pad.

The Dragon supply ship is set to deliver several tons of experiments and provisions to the International Space Station and its six-person crew.

Ground controllers plan to replace a failed power distribution unit outside the station Thursday using the orbiting research lab's robotic arm. NASA asked SpaceX to delay the cargo launch from Wednesday to allow more time to address the power system failure, which cut off a quarter of the station's electricity supply.

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https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2019/05/01/astronauts-relax-today-before-robotics-work-and-dragon-cargo-mission/

Astronauts Relax Today Before Robotics Work and Dragon Cargo Mission

Mark Garcia
Posted May 1, 2019 at 1:26 pm
...
NASA and SpaceX are pressing ahead to launch Dragon no earlier than Friday May 3 at 3:11 a.m. EDT to deliver nearly 5,500 pounds of science, supplies and hardware. Astronauts David Saint-Jacques and Nick Hague will be in the cupola Sunday to command the Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture Dragon around 7 a.m.

Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Christina Koch will help unpack and activate the time critical experiments after Dragon is installed on the Harmony module. New lab mice will be quickly transferred and housed in specialized habitats for an immune system study. Fresh biological samples, such as kidney cells, will be also stowed in science freezers and incubators for later analysis.