7 ms·

But it doesn't reach the space station until some time on Sunday? Can someone explain the long maneuvering time once it is in orbit?

krasin 13y ago
in short, they save fuel/money at the cost of time. Instead of going to ISS directly, they have put the Dragon to some cheaper point in the space with some speed vector. After that, it will turn around Earth multiple times, until the orbits of the Dragon and the ISS are closer. But it's very short and partially incorrect (as they may also have a few correction boosts)
Arjuna 13y ago
It is primarily due to the fact that changes in altitude with regard to achieving orbital synchronization take time. This is also related to the concept of a launch window. Today's launch had an instantaneous launch window, required to reach all mission objectives, and for Dragon to achieve its precise window of opportunity in space. This means that the launch had to occur at an exact moment, down to the exact second of accuracy. For a more exhaustive understanding, further explanation and exploration, you will enjoy the following: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_mechanics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_mechanics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_speed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_speed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_plane_%28astronomy%29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_plane_%28astronomy%29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit_phasing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit_phasing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohmann_transfer_orbit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohmann_transfer_orbit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_rendezvous https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_rendezvous https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_and_berthing_of_spacecraft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_and_berthing_of_spacec... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launch_window https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launch_window
- stcredzero 13y ago
  Obligatory: Then play some KSP.
  - MPSimmons 13y ago
    Or play KSP for a while first, then read the links and understand much more of them instantly.
    - stcredzero 13y ago
      It's an obligatory thing to say, but combining experience tinkering with these things (KSP) with the reading is the real way to do it! (Yes, and it seems like I've been flagged for saying it!)
rplnt 13y ago
Somewhat related http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/news/soyuz-tma-08m-to-make-first-direct-ascent-to-iss http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/news/soyuz-tma-08m-to-make-... Soyuz made first direct ascent last year, docking within few hours instead of days as usual.

krasin 13y ago

in short, they save fuel/money at the cost of time. Instead of going to ISS directly, they have put the Dragon to some cheaper point in the space with some speed vector. After that, it will turn around Earth multiple times, until the orbits of the Dragon and the ISS are closer. But it's very short and partially incorrect (as they may also have a few correction boosts)

Arjuna 13y ago

It is primarily due to the fact that changes in altitude with regard to achieving orbital synchronization take time. This is also related to the concept of a launch window. Today's launch had an instantaneous launch window, required to reach all mission objectives, and for Dragon to achieve its precise window of opportunity in space. This means that the launch had to occur at an exact moment, down to the exact second of accuracy. For a more exhaustive understanding, further explanation and exploration, you will enjoy the following: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_mechanics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_mechanics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_speed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_speed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_plane_%28astronomy%29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_plane_%28astronomy%29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit_phasing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit_phasing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohmann_transfer_orbit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohmann_transfer_orbit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_rendezvous https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_rendezvous https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_and_berthing_of_spacecraft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docking_and_berthing_of_spacec... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launch_window https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launch_window

stcredzero 13y ago
Obligatory: Then play some KSP.
- MPSimmons 13y ago
  Or play KSP for a while first, then read the links and understand much more of them instantly.
  - stcredzero 13y ago
    It's an obligatory thing to say, but combining experience tinkering with these things (KSP) with the reading is the real way to do it! (Yes, and it seems like I've been flagged for saying it!)

rplnt 13y ago

Somewhat related http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/news/soyuz-tma-08m-to-make-first-direct-ascent-to-iss http://www.spacepolicyonline.com/news/soyuz-tma-08m-to-make-... Soyuz made first direct ascent last year, docking within few hours instead of days as usual.