Screenshot from SpaceX/NASA of CRS-29 on Pad 39A. Food and other supplies awaiting launch
Mission Rundown: SpaceX Falcon 9 - CRS-29
Written: November 10, 2023
Bringing up the turkey dinner
Dragon CRS-2 SpX-29 (CRS-29) is a Commercial Resupply Service mission that flew to the International Space Station (ISS). SpaceX was awarded this mission by NASA in 2016 and launched CRS-29 on a Falcon 9 using booster B1081-2 and Cargo Dragon, C211-2.
Three different vehicles from three different entities have the capability to carry cargo to the ISS. Northrup Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft launched by NASA, ROSCOSMOS’s Soyuz Progress spacecraft, and SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon spacecraft, which is the only one of the three launch systems with a cargo return capability.
NGA on CRS-29 flight path from Pad 39A. Blue dot is B1081-2 ballistic crash site if RTLS fails
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off on November 9/10, 2023 at 20:28:14 EST - 01:28:14 UTC from historic Launch Complex 39A, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
CRS-29 was the 9th flight for SpaceX under NASA’s CRS Phase 2 contract and SpaceX’s 81st launch in 2023 compared to a total of 61 launches in 2022. On board are ~2,948 kg (~6,500 lb) of food, hardware, science instruments and research projects.
Dragon C211-2 separated from the second stage of the Falcon 9 at ~T+12 min. After that, it performed a series of thruster firings to adjust its orbit and reach the ISS. The spacecraft docked at ISS some ~32 hours later, on November 11, at 05:20 EST - 10:20 UTC.
Dragon autonomously docked to the ISS’ Harmony module’s Space-facing zenit port. Upon Dragon’s arrival, the crew will proceed with unloading the cargo.
After the stage separation, the second stage continues into orbit, B1081-2 will conduct a 50 second long ‘Boost Back Burn’ in order to do a ‘return to launch site’ - RTLS maneuver where the forward speed will be reduced from 7000 km/h plus to minus 1000 km/h.
Then a second atmospheric re-entry burn lasting only 11 second will be followed by a third and final 21 second landing burn in order to touch down softly on LZ-1.
B1081-2 will have made its second flight after launching its next mission:
B1081-2 didn’t perform a static fire test prior to its November 9 east coast launch out of Cape Canaveral. SpaceX has omitted this safety precaution many times on low risk missions. It is not required to perform a static fire test in house missions like Starlink. Other SpaceX customers have willingly omitted the static fire test.
The Cargo Dragon mission
Dragon C211-2 autonomously docked to the ISS Harmony module after soft capture Saturday 11, 2023 at 05:07 EST - 10:07 UTC.
Soft capture is the first contact between the spacecraft and the space station. A “soft” capture ring hooks to its counterpart on the docking port and slowly retracts to bring in Dragon for hard capture. Just 12 minutes later a hard capture was confirmed after the 12 hooks secured the spacecraft to the International Space Station.
After leak checks and pressurization of the vestibule (the small space between station and Dragon), the hatch to C211-2 was opened granting the crew access to the cargo inside.
Dragon C211-2 will spend 30 days at the ISS. Its mission will end in early December. After that, the spacecraft will travel back to Earth and will splash down under parachutes off the coast of Florida, returning valuable research and cargo to Earth.
The CRS 2 contract employs SpaceX’s Dragon 2 spacecraft now on its 29th mission to the International Space Station , as the Dragon 1 spacecraft was retired at the end of the initial extended CRS 1 contract after 19 CRS missions plus the COTS 2+ visit to ISS. CRS-7 was destroyed mid-flight by a loose COPV in the second stage.
Dragon 2 will have flown under its own power 23 times; 11 crewed and 12 uncrewed.
Dragon C211-2 can double as an extra space science laboratory where 4 experiments will share power, downlink data streams and data storage from Dragon C211-2 internal supply. One experiment could be moved from its current home on ISS to its new location on Dragon C211-2, where it could join up to 3 already installed experiments.
The redesign of Cargo Dragon Capsules will extend ISS ability to conduct experiments, and it seems ISS is due for an extension with an extra laboratory module some time soon.
Dragon research payloads
Arriving on board Cargo Dragon C211-2 are dozens of science experiments and technology demonstrations. The following list is only an excerpt of what has been ferried to the ISS.
The Cargo Dragon is loaded with several metric tons of experiments, CubeSats, essential supplies, and other cargo.
The main science payload on CRS-29 is NASA’s ILLUMA-T investigation test technology to provide enhanced data communication capabilities on the space station.
A terminal mounted on the station’s exterior uses laser or optical communications to send high-resolution information to the agency’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) system, which is in geosynchronous orbit around Earth. LCRD then beams the data to optical ground stations in Haleakala, Hawaii, and Table Mountain, California.
The system uses invisible infrared light and can send and receive information at higher data rates than traditional radio frequency systems, making it possible to send more images and videos to and from the space station in a single transmission.
The ILLUMA-T demonstration also paves the way for placing laser communications terminals on spacecraft orbiting the Moon or Mars.
ILLUMA-T and LCRD create NASA’s first two-way laser communications relay system. Laser communications can supplement the radio frequency systems that most space-based missions currently use to send data to and from Earth.
According to acting ILLUMA-T project manager Glenn Jackson at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, laser systems are smaller, more lightweight, and use less power than radio systems.
The smaller size frees up more room for science instruments, the lighter weight reduces launch costs, and lower power use results in less drain on spacecraft batteries.
NASA Goddard in partnership with NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, ILLUMA-T is funded by the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program at NASA HQ in Washington.
The second science payload on CRS-29 is NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) uses an infrared imaging instrument to measure the characteristics, distribution, and movement of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs).
These waves roll through Earth’s atmosphere when air is disturbed much like waves created by dropping a stone into water.
“Atmospheric gravity waves are one mechanism for transporting energy and momentum within the climate system and they play a role in defining the climate and its evolution,” says co-investigator Jeff Forbes of the University of Colorado Boulder.
He explains that these waves are relatively small at the source but amplified at altitudes, and potentially indicate climate changes not readily observable at lower altitudes.
This investigation’s long-term observations of physical processes in atmospheric circulation could increase insight into AGWs and improve understanding of Earth’s atmosphere, weather, and climate.
Researchers also are looking at how AGWs contribute to space weather, which refers to the varying conditions within the Solar System, including solar wind. Space weather affects space- and ground-based communications, navigation, and tracking systems.
Scientists know little about how AGWs influence space weather and this investigation could help fill in these knowledge gaps. Results could support development of ways to mitigate the effects of space weather.
The space station provides an ideal platform for the investigation given its altitude and geographic and time coverage.
The Atmospheric Waves Experiment is managed by Goddard for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at NASA’s Washington Headquarter.
Other science payload on CRS-29 is Space Flight Induced Ovarian and Estrogen Signaling Dysfunction, Adaptation, and Recovery is a fundamental science investigation sponsored by NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division.
It advances previous microgravity studies that seek to better understand the combined effects of spaceflight, nutritional, and environmental stresses on control of ovulation and resulting effects on the skeleton. Results of this study could help identify and treat the effects of stress on ovulation and improve bone health on Earth.
Aquamembrane-3, an investigation from ESA (European Space Agency), continues evaluation of replacing the multi-filtration beds used for water recovery on the space station with a type of membrane known as an Aquaporin Inside Membrane (AIM).
These are membranes that incorporate proteins found in biological cells, known as aquaporins, to filter water faster while using less energy. Initial testing of AIM technology in 2015 showed that water filtration by membranes is possible in microgravity, and this follow-up testing could demonstrate how effectively the membranes eliminate contaminants in space station wastewater.
Results could advance development of a complete and full-scale membrane-based water recovery system, improving water reclamation and reducing the amount of material that needs to be launched to the space station.
This water filtration technology also could have applications in extreme environments on Earth, such as military and emergency settings, and for decentralized water systems in remote locations.
Gaucho Lung, sponsored by the ISS National Lab, studies how mucus lining the respiratory system affects delivery of drugs carried in a small amount of injected liquid, known as a liquid plug. Conducting this research in microgravity makes it possible to isolate the factors involved, including capillary or wicking forces, mucus characteristics, and gravity.
Understanding the role of these factors could inform the development and optimization of targeted respiratory treatments. In addition, the work could contribute to new strategies to control contamination in tubing for liquids used in the health care and food industries.
CRS-29 will also carry a total of six CubeSats. Some details on this fact.
The Japanese Clark Sat-1 cubesat from the Clark Memorial International High School, part of University of Tokyo and BEAK cubesat from Space BD has been ejected on December 18, 2023 from ISS.
The cubesat’s BEAK and ClarkSat-1, have been cataloged as 58612 and 58613 by Space Force, and are now in 411km x 415 km x 51.6o deg orbits.
All these research experiments can range from NASA-funded experiments to private companies and universities. If you’d like to learn more, reach out or explore NASA’s website and the ISS National Lab. And the daily ISS Blog.
Where to land the Dragon?
Seven hazard areas for Dragon C211-2 - Recovery Location LZ 1-7 available - LZ 3 is chosen
The opportunity for CRS-29 to return to Earth has been determined; it departed from ISS from airlock IDA-3, now known as the space facing ‘zenit’ airlock.
The CRS-29 Cargo Dragon spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station at 17:05:51 EST - 22:05:51 UTC on December 21, 2023 to begin its journey home.
More than 1950 kg - 4,300 pounds of scientific cargo is heading back to Earth. At the time of undocking the station was about 418 Km - 260 miles above southwest of Chile.
After re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft will make a parachute-assisted splashdown off the coast of Florida on Friday, December 22. NASA will not broadcast the splashdown, but updates will be posted on the agency’s space station blog.
NASA’s SpaceX CRS-29 mission is targeting a splash down on Earth no earlier than 12:33 EST - 17:33 UTC on December 22, 2023 near Tallahassee, Florida.
The Cargo Dragon spacecraft will aim for a splashdown at one of seven targeted landing zones in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida.
Recovery ship Shannon will be heading to LZ-3 near Tallahassee to retrieve a wet toasty Dragon
CRS-29 will after the trunk is jettisoned have performed its deorbit burn at 12:03 EST - 17:03 UTC and have closed the nose hatch cover. Then CRS-29 will reorient itself with its heat shield forward and enter the Earth's atmosphere.
Four minutes before splashdown, the drogue parachutes will deploy at about 18,000 feet in altitude while the Cargo Dragon is moving approximately 350 miles per hour, and less than a minute later, the main parachutes deploy at about 6,000 feet in altitude while the spacecraft is moving approximately 119 miles per hour.
For normal crew rescue and recovery operations, the NASA and SpaceX teams select two primary splashdown locations from the seven possible locations about two weeks prior to return, with additional decision milestones taking place prior to crew boarding the spacecraft, during free flight, and before the Cargo Dragon performs a deorbit burn.
NASA and SpaceX coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard to establish a 10-nautical-mile safety zone around the expected splashdown location to ensure safety for the public and for those involved in the recovery operations, as well as the cargo aboard the returning CRS-29 spacecraft.
Teams on the recovery ship Shannon, including two fast boats, will be securing CRS-29 Cargo Dragon and ensuring the spacecraft is safe for the recovery effort. As the fast boat teams complete their work, the recovery ship will move into position to hoist the Cargo Dragon onto the main deck of the ship.
Once on the main deck, the important and time-sensitive research samples will be taken out of the spacecraft before a helicopter ride back to Cape Canaveral.
Things yet to happen. So be patient.
The discarded Dragon trunk from the CRS-29 mission, jettisoned on December 23, was in a 230 x 397 km x 51.6 deg orbit. It’s very, very slowly deorbiting by itself.
It deorbited 222 days later at 08:50 UTC July 10 over Arizona and New Mexico. Source
The low apogee of 252 km in this orbit is a contributing factor in deorbiting the Dragon trunk section fast. It is after all a BIG barrel or dustbin, so maybe it should be rebuilt as a space debris hunter gatherer collecting space junk.
The Cargo Dragon 2
Dragon capsule C208 during processing at SpaceX HQ in Hawthorne prior to CRS-21
Cargo Dragon is essentially a Crew Dragon, without an abort system, so it has all of the upgrades from Crew Dragon. Most importantly, Dragon 2 is designed to be reused up to 5 times, with a turnaround time of under 6 months, which is significantly lower than Dragon One; Dragon One’s fastest turnaround time was 418 days, with most turnaround times being significantly longer.
Dragon 1 was unable to dock with the International Space Station. Meaning that Dragon 1 would hold a position away from the ISS. In this position the Canadarm would capture the spacecraft, and attaching it to the ISS. This is called berthing.
CRS-29 will mark the 20th autonomous docking to the ISS that SpaceX has completed: DM-1, DM-2, Crew-1, CRS-21, Crew-2, CRS-22, CRS-23, Crew-3, CRS-24, Axiom 1, Crew-4, CRS-25, Crew-5, CRS-26, Crew-6, Axiom 2, CRS-27, CRS-28, Crew-7 and now CRS-29. Inspiration4 was a free flying spacecraft doing its own private mission in space.
Based on a G. DE CHIARA drawing of DM-2, there are now cargo and measurement sticks inserted by me; the side section has been split to separate the capsule and the trunk.
Cargo Dragon 2’s trunk is also different from Dragon 1 and Crew Dragon 2, that has its solar panels integrated onto its trunk, while Dragon 1 had a deployable solar array from its trunk. However, Crew Dragon 2 is equipped with 4 fins, which are used for aerodynamic control during ascent. Cargo Dragon 2’s trunk only has 2 fins with solar cells.
Externally, Cargo Dragon 2 differs from its crewed counterpart, lacking windows and the SuperDragon abort system. The differences between Crew Dragon and Cargo Dragon are derived from the fact that Cargo Dragon is not required to have launch escape capability.
Crew Dragon is fitted with eight SpaceX-developed SuperDraco engines, located in four, twin engine clusters around the outside of the capsule, which are there to pull the capsule and its crew to safety away from a Falcon 9 in the event of a catastrophic failure during fueling or launch as seen in the inflight abort mission.
Since Cargo Dragon does not carry crew, the spacecraft does not have to carry those systems; therefore the SuperDracos have been removed from the Cargo Dragon capsule giving a mass reduction that allows for additional cargo to be carried to ISS.
Cargo Dragon 2 also lacks most of the life support and onboard control systems present on Crew Dragon that are needed for humans. Instead, it carries minimal support systems to ensure conditions are kept acceptable for hatch opening on the Station and ISS Crew ingress to the vehicle.
Cargo Dragon 2 is also significantly more massive, with a dry mass of ~12,000 kg. With this mass increase Dragon 2 is able to carry ~50% more science to the ISS than Dragon 1. Because of this, missions can stay docked to the ISS for up to 3 months, rather than the one month that CRS-21 stayed docked.
Dragon 2’s nose cone is also significantly different as it opens instead of being jettisoned on ascent. It is protecting the docking mechanism.
At a press conference after Crew-1, Gwynne Shotwell said SpaceX is expecting to have a fleet of 8 dragons: 5 Crew Dragons and 3 Cargo Dragons. This will allow SpaceX to conduct up to 25 crewed missions and 15 resupply missions.
This resupply mission CRS-29 doesn't carry too much mass to deny a Return To Launch Site (RTLS) landing on LZ-1 by the Falcon 9 first stage.
Usually, the first stage — with Crew Dragon and/or Cargo Dragon — makes use of the two drone ships ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’ and ‘Just Read The Instruction’ stationed in Port Canaveral for booster landing and recovery in the Atlantic Ocean.
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