From wg3k%wg3k.#smd.md.usa.noam@i0ojj.ampr.org Sun Nov 17 01:20:20 2024 Received: from i0ojj.ampr.org by i0ojj.ampr.org (JNOS2.0p.4) with SMTP
id AA17014907 ; Sun, 17 Nov 2024 01:20:20 +0100
Message-Id: <
ANS322.3@n2nov.bbs>
From: wg3k@wg3k.#smd.md.usa.noam
X-JNOS-User-Port: Circuit (ARECS:N2NOV-7 N2NOV-7) -> Sending message
For the first time, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft successfully raised the orbit of
its thrusters. The orbital boost marks a significant milestone in Dragon’s c
ommercial resupply mission to the ISS. The mission, which launched on November
with the station the following day. On November 8, the vehicle conducted an or
sition in low-Earth orbit.
Orbit-raising maneuvers are routine for the ISS, which requires regular boosts
gravity. Until now, this task has been handled mainly by Russia's Soyuz and Pro
other spacecraft. With Dragon now performing such maneuvers, the U.S. spacecra
ignificant as NASA prepares for the eventual decommissioning of the ISS. The da
the development of SpaceX’s future ISS deorbit vehicle, known as the U.S. Deo
the station into the Pacific Ocean upon its retirement. [
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Crew-9-Dragon-Spa..
oads/2024/11/Crew-9-Dragon-Spaceship-Freedom-ISS-Docking.jpg
Crew-9 Dragon "Freedom" firing its thrusters as it arrived at the ISS on Septem
.com/astro_Pettit]
The reboost began at approximately 12:50 p.m. ET (1750 UTC) and lasted around 1
ghtly. NASA monitored the reboost closely and shared updates on social media pl
its first orbit-raising task was “a good demonstration” of its growing capa
s data toward the design of the planned U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, scheduled to be
onal lifespan.
This recent success by Dragon is not the first instance of a U.S.-made spacecra
lar maneuver using a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo vehicle. However, the data c
mportance, as it directly informs the planning of the ISS’s controlled deorbi
uously occupied for nearly 25 years, is expected to remain operational until ar
s of the aging structure will likely lead to its retirement. [
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SpaceX-U.S.-Deorb..
oads/2024/11/SpaceX-U.S.-Deorbit-Vehicle-Concept-Drawing.jpg
SpaceX's design of the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle is based on its Dragon spacecraft w
tps://x.com/SpaceX]
The ISS’s eventual decommissioning aligns with NASA’s shift towards commerc
envisions that new, privately operated space stations will replace the ISS as r
get on deeper space exploration, including the Artemis Program’s return to th
the agency has placed its trust in the private sector to develop the technolog
ion in a controlled manner.
The success of Dragon’s reboost maneuver also underscores the U.S.'s reduced
perations. Despite global political tensions, notably since Russia’s 2022 inv
n the ISS has persisted. However, Dragon’s demonstrated ability to perform re
ce Dragon began launching U.S. astronauts in 2020, SpaceX has provided NASA wit
nd now it has proven capable of supporting the station’s orbit, a role essent
[ANS thanks Josh Dinner, Space.com
https://www.space.com/ for the above informat
-----------------------------------------
ARGEN-X BBS - IPV6 TELNET LU9DCE.DYNU.COM -----------------------------------------
--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
* Origin: ARGEN-X BBS (4:902/6)