SpaceX CRS-8

SpaceX CRS-8

Artist rendering of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft being berthed to ISS
Mission type ISS resupply
Operator SpaceX/NASA
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type Dragon
Manufacturer SpaceX
Start of mission
Launch date September 2, 2015
Rocket Falcon 9 v1.1
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-7 SpaceX CRS-9 →

SpaceX CRS-8, also known as SpX-8,[1] is a cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station scheduled for 2015. It will be the tenth flight for SpaceX's uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft and the eight operational mission contracted to NASA under a Commercial Resupply Services contract. [2] The mission has been contracted by NASA and will be flown by SpaceX.

Launch schedule history

As of January 2013, the launch was notionally scheduled by NASA to occur in 2015.[2]

As of January 2014, the NASA Plan Flight Planning Integration Panel (FPIP) PowerPoint showed the launch was scheduled to occur no earlier than (NET) September 2, 2015.[3]

Primary payload

NASA has contracted for the CRS-8 mission from SpaceX and therefore determines the primary payload, date/time of launch, and orbital parameters for the Dragon space capsule.

The flight is scheduled to deliver the first expandable module to the station. The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module will be delivered for at least two years of observation and testing.[2]

Secondary payload

SpaceX has the primary control over manifesting, scheduling and loading secondary payloads. However there are certain restrictions included in their contract with NASA that preclude specified hazards on the secondary payloads, and also require contract-specified probabilities of success and safety margins for any SpaceX reboosts of the secondary satellites once the Falcon 9 second stage has achieved its initial low-Earth orbit (LEO).

References

  1. ↑ Hartman, Daniel (July 2014). "Status of the ISS USOS" (PDF). NASA Advisory Council HEOMD Committee. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "NASA to Test Bigelow Expandable Module on Space Station". NASA. January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Worldwide Launch Schedule". SpaceflightNow. Retrieved 11 January 2015.

External links