GO Navigator

GO Navigator is an offshore supply ship and currently deployed as one of the SpaceX Dragon/Dragon 2 recovery vessels[2] along with GO Searcher.[3] Both the vessels are identical and equipped with a medical treatment facility, helipad, lifting frame etc.[4]

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, with NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley inside, is seen aboard SpaceX’s GO Navigator recovery ship shortly after splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, on Aug. 2, 2020.
History
United States
Name:
  • GO Navigator (2019 Onwards)
  • GIS Grizzly (2018-2019)
  • HARVEY Grizzly (2014-2018)
  • CALLAIS Navigator (2013-2014)
Owner: Guice Offshore
Operator: Guice Offshore
Builder: Master Boat Builders, Coden, Alabama
Launched: 2009
Completed: 2010
In service: 2010
Identification:
Status: In service
Notes: [1]
General characteristics
Class and type: Platform supply vessel
Tonnage:
Length: 49.85 m (163 ft 7 in)
Beam: 10.98 m (36 ft 0 in)
Draught: 3 m (9 ft 10 in)
Depth: 3.6576 m (12 ft 0 in)
Decks: 1
Installed power: 1,750 HP
Propulsion: 2 x CAT 3508B Industrial Diesel Engines
Speed: 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)
Capacity: 20
Crew: 6
Notes: [1]

The vessel played a key role in the recovery operation of SpaceX's first crewed mission - Crew Dragon Demo-2.[5][6][7][8]

History

GO Navigator's services were procured by SpaceX as a stand-by support vessel, in case GO Searcher fails because of any technical snag.

In 2018-2019, the vessel and its crew deployed for many hours of training to prepare for the role of recovering Dragon 2 capsules and their astronauts. The vessel executed catching operations during Crew Dragon Demo-1 and Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Test.

However, between April and May 2019, GO Navigator was temporarily re-assigned to fairing recovery operations for the ArabSat-6A, Starlink 0.9, STP-2, and Amos-17 missions.

GO stands for Guice Offshore, the owner and operator of these type of vessels.[9]

List of recovery missions
Date Mission Role Type
8 March 2019 Crew Dragon Demo-1 Crew Dragon recovery support Catching
11 April 2019 ArabSat-6A Fairing recovery Non-Catching
24 May 2019 Starlink Fairing recovery Non-Catching
25 June 2019 STP-2 Fairing recovery Non-Catching
6 August 2019 Amos-17 Fairing recovery Non-Catching
11 November 2019 Starlink-2 Fairing recovery Non-Catching
19 January 2020 Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Test Crew Dragon recovery support Catching
2 August 2020 Crew Dragon Demo-2 Crew Dragon recovery support Catching

Mission Overview

Demo-2

For the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission, the GO Navigator had a broken backup generator; however it still completed its mission and recovered the Endeavour capsule from the sea. The recovery was impeded by private boats which circled the capsule in the water.

GO Navigator Demo-2 recovery mission
  • GO Navigator in the dock showing capsule "nest" and retractable arch recovery device.
  • NASA Chief Astronaut Patrick G. Forrester, left, and NASA astronaut and Crew Recovery Chief Shane Kimbrough.
  • GO Navigator deploying a fast boat off the rear of the boat.
  • GO Navigator approaches the capsule.
  • Crew Dragon Endeavour being hoisted onto aft of GO Navigator vessel.
  • Robert Behnken, left, and Douglas Hurley are seen inside Endeavour onboard GO Navigator being greeted by a crew member.
more images can be found on wiki commons.

References
  1. "Advanced Masterdata for the Vessel Go Navigator". VesselTracker. 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  2. "GO Navigator". SpaceXFleet. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  3. "GO Searcher". SpaceXFleet. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  4. "Crew Dragon Recovery". SpaceXFleet. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  5. "SpaceX Crew Dragon: everything you need to know about the Demo-2 space launch". BBC Science Focus Magazine. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  6. Sheetz, Michael (2020-05-26). "Everything you need to know about SpaceX's historic Demo-2 launch, its first with NASA astronauts". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  7. "Launch America - a partnership between NASA and private space companies – will help open the space above Earth to people besides government astronauts". NASA. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  8. "Explained: Why Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission is important, and how it will take place". The Indian Express. 2020-05-31. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
  9. Ralph, Eric (2018-11-05). "NASA shows off SpaceX's upgraded Crew Dragon recovery vessel, tests helipad". TESLARATI. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
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