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SpaceX Red Dragon




Green suggests SpaceX may do _two_ Red Dragon missions in the 2020 window, one at the beginning and one at the end. #HumansToMars
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Green suggests SpaceX may do _two_ Red Dragon missions in the 2020 window, one at the beginning and one at the end. #HumansToMars


NASA Has Payloads List For SpaceX Red Dragon | Willing to pay up to 30 million
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How will SpaceX test the Red Dragon?
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How will SpaceX test the Red Dragon?

Discussion on how SpaceX will test Red Dragon systems including EDL.

I imagine that SpaceX will want to gain flight data when using the SuperDracos during supersonic high altitude flight to simulate the Mars atmosphere.

IMO SpaceX has two options when it comes to testing EDL:

  1. Use Dragonfly (with a payload simulator similar to planned Mars experiments) and F9R reused F9 from the in-flight abort test (assuming they recover the F9R F9 after the experiment). In this scenario F9R F9 flies dragon to ~60-70 km (again assuming that F9R has enough delta-v to perform this task) and release Dragonfly at supersonic speed. Then have Dragonfly ignite the SuperDracos and perform the test. This test would be very similar to the HIAD test. After the test they could have the Dragonfly either do a propulsive landing experiment or just have it deploy a parachute. The only problems I could see this having would be releasing Dragonfly from F9R F9 in the atmosphere. Would the drag cause it to slam back into the booster? Also if Dragonfly performed a 180 degree maneuver after being released would it RUD from pressure? I guess to solve these problems they could have it release from 100 km or so and have it reenter. Also if F9R does not have enough delta-v they could always use a previously used F9 core.

  2. After a Dragon 2 mission to the ISS have it re-enter and perform the same task as #1. Doesn't seem like the best way to obtain data however because Dragon 2 would most likely have a somewhat different mass since it was optimized for an ISS mission. Having said that the Dragon 2 would be going much faster as it is re-entering from orbit which would be somewhat more similar to a Red Dragon entry profile.

Let me hear everyone's thoughts about what you think SpaceX plans on doing to test the Red Dragon.

Note: I've discussed this topic in many threads, but I think that this post is necessary to do it justice. Also I understand that this is just early speculation and there isn't much known about the Red Dragon or its final payload to Mars.
Edit: Clarification. Removed F9R as F9R-Dev2 won't be flying. Credit: u/EchoLogic.
Update: The science behind SpaceX’s ambitious plan to land a spacecraft on Mars Resource: SETI Talks Slightly outdated, but great resource none the less. Gives an idea about EDL phase of Red Dragon.


SpaceX on Twitter: "Planning to send Dragon to Mars as soon as 2018. Red Dragons will inform overall Mars architecture, details to come https://t.co/u4nbVUNCpA"
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SpaceX on Twitter: "Planning to send Dragon to Mars as soon as 2018. Red Dragons will inform overall Mars architecture, details to come https://t.co/u4nbVUNCpA"

NASA exploring additional cooperation with SpaceX’s Red Dragon mission
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SpaceX / NASA Collaboration - Red Dragon - Goddard Teleconference (Live updates)
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SpaceX abandoning Red Dragon plans
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Articles and discussion about the planet Mars. What's going on? What's going on? We're going dark until further notice to protest reddit's new policies. Read more here (archived snap of the post): https://teddit.net/r/Save3rdPartyApps/comments/13yh0jf/dont_let_reddit_kill_3rd_party_apps/ We hope to see you all again soon.


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Should SpaceX utilize the "Ballistic Capture" method for a Red Dragon mission?
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Should SpaceX utilize the "Ballistic Capture" method for a Red Dragon mission?

I recently learned of the "Ballistic Capture" method to deliver payload to mars (link below). You can launch at anytime and take a few months longer to arrive in order to save 25% on fuel. Instead of waiting for the planets to align every 2 years and providing the spacecraft with enough Delta V to chase Mars (traditional Hohmann transfer window), you place the spacecraft in the path of mars and allow mars to catch up -- this requires 25% less fuel. Given the mass saving and the flexibility of launch date, should this be utilized for a Red Dragon mission? Here's an article about Ballistic Capture: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-new-way-to-reach-mars-safely-anytime-and-on-the-cheap/


Vision of SpaceX outpost on Mars if Red Dragon missions launched by Falcon Heavy wouldn't be cancelled
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NASA spells out support for SpaceX’s Red Dragon Mars mission
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SpaceX potential landing sites (From HiRISE images) at Arcadia Planatia. Red circles are Red Dragon, Black is Starship, Blue is "Human Exploration"
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SpaceX potential landing sites (From HiRISE images) at Arcadia Planatia. Red circles are Red Dragon, Black is Starship, Blue is "Human Exploration"
r/SpaceXLounge - SpaceX potential landing sites (From HiRISE images) at Arcadia Planatia. Red circles are Red Dragon, Black is Starship, Blue is "Human Exploration"

Tripathi: SpaceX plans to launch Red Dragon missions at every opportunity. Think of it as a bus that can carry various payloads. #AIAASpace
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Tripathi: SpaceX plans to launch Red Dragon missions at every opportunity. Think of it as a bus that can carry various payloads. #AIAASpace


SpaceX pushes back the Red Dragon launch date from 2018 to 2020
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Articles and discussion about the planet Mars. What's going on? What's going on? We're going dark until further notice to protest reddit's new policies. Read more here (archived snap of the post): https://teddit.net/r/Save3rdPartyApps/comments/13yh0jf/dont_let_reddit_kill_3rd_party_apps/ We hope to see you all again soon.


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Nield: already working with SpaceX on launch license for 2018 Red Dragon mission. Raises Outer Space Treaty Article 6 issues. #H2M
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Nield: already working with SpaceX on launch license for 2018 Red Dragon mission. Raises Outer Space Treaty Article 6 issues. #H2M




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