Michael Braukus/J.D. Harrington
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979/5241
michael.j.braukus@nasa.gov / j.d.harrington@nasa.gov
Josh Byerly
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
josh.byerly@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 11-413
NASA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH DATE AND MILESTONES FOR SPACEX FLIGHT
WASHINGTON -- NASA has announced the launch target for Space
Exploration Technologies' (SpaceX) second Commercial Orbital
Transportation Services (COTS) demonstration flight will be Feb. 7,
2012. Pending completion of final safety reviews, testing and
verification, NASA also has agreed to allow SpaceX to send its Dragon
spacecraft to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS)
in a single flight.
"SpaceX has made incredible progress over the last several months
preparing Dragon for its mission to the space station," said William
Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for the Human
Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. "We look forward to a
successful mission, which will open up a new era in commercial cargo
delivery for this international orbiting laboratory."
Gerstenmaier said, "There is still a significant amount of critical
work to be completed before launch, but the teams have a sound plan
to complete it and are prepared for unexpected challenges. As with
all launches, we will adjust the launch date as needed to gain
sufficient understanding of test and analysis results to ensure
safety and mission success."
During the flight, Dragon will conduct a series of check-out
procedures that will test and prove its systems in advance of the
rendezvous with the station. The primary objectives for the flight
include a fly-by of the space station at a distance of approximately
two miles to validate the operation of sensors and flight systems
necessary for a safe rendezvous and approach. The spacecraft also
will demonstrate the capability to abort the rendezvous, if required.
Dragon will perform the final approach to the ISS while the station
crew grapples the vehicle with the station's robotic arm. The capsule
will be berthed to the Earth-facing side of the Harmony node. At the
end of the mission, the crew will reverse the process, detaching
Dragon from the station for its return to Earth and splashdown in the
Pacific off the coast of California. If the rendezvous and attachment
to the station are not successful, SpaceX will complete a third
demonstration flight in order to achieve these objectives as
originally planned.
"SpaceX is on the forefront of demonstrating how a partnership between
the government and private industry can lead to new capabilities and
provide a large return on investment," said Alan Lindenmoyer, program
manager for COTS at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
"SpaceX is excited to be the first commercial company in history to
berth with the International Space Station. This mission will mark a
historic milestone in the future of spaceflight," said SpaceX
President Gwynne Shotwell. "We appreciate NASA's continued support
and their partnership in this process."
Begun in 2006, NASA's COTS program is investing financial and
technical resources to stimulate efforts within the private sector to
develop and demonstrate safe, reliable and cost-effective space
transportation capabilities. In a multiphase strategy, the program is
spurring the innovation and development of new spacecraft and launch
vehicles from commercial industry, creating a new system of
delivering cargo to low-Earth orbit and the International Space
Station.
Through Space Act Agreements, SpaceX will receive up to $396 million
and Orbital Sciences Corporation, NASA's other COTS partner, will
receive up to $288 million for the successful completion of all
milestones in the agreements. To date, SpaceX has received $376
million for completing 36 out of 40 milestones and Orbital has
received $261.5 million for completing 23 out of 29 milestones.
For more information on COTS, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/cots For more information on the International Space Station, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/station For more information on SpaceX or the Dragon spacecraft, visit:
http://www.spacex.com
