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{{short description|Family of SpaceX spacecraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
[[File:CRS-20 Dragon–Enhanced.jpg|thumb|{{ComV|Dragon|112|serial=yes}} approaching the ISS]]
{{Infobox
{{Use American English|date=September 2020}}
|title = SpaceX Dragon spacecraft
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
|titlestyle = padding-bottom:0.25em;<!--to stop title touching box-->
|image = [[File:COTS2Dragon.6.jpg|250px]]
|caption = The SpaceX Dragon CRS variant approaching the [[International Space Station|ISS]] during the [[Dragon C2+|C2+]] mission in May 2012.
|captionstyle = line-height:1.35em;<!--to prevent gaps between wrapped lines-->
|labelstyle = padding-top:0.25em;line-height:1.25em;<!--to prevent gaps between wrapped lines-->
|header1 = Description
|label2 = Role
|data2 = Placing humans and cargo into [[Low Earth orbit]] ([[Private spaceflight|commercial use]])<ref name="sx20060908">{{cite press |title=SPACEX WINS NASA COMPETITION TO REPLACE SPACE SHUTTLE |url=http://www.spacex.com/updates_archive.php?page=0606-1206 |publisher=SpaceX |accessdate=18 December 2011 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/641AOKrBa |archivedate=18 December 2011 |location=Hawthorne, California |date=8 September 2006}}</ref><br />[[International Space Station|ISS]] resupply (governmental use)
|label3 = Crew
|data3 = None (cargo variant)<br />7 (Dragon V2 variant)
|label4 = [[Launch vehicle]]
|data4 = [[Falcon 9|Falcon 9 v1.0]]<br/><small>([[COTS Demo Flight 1|Dragon C1]]–[[CRS SpX-2|Dragon C4]])</small><ref name=MuskMay2012>{{cite web|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/003/120518musk/|title=Q&A with SpaceX founder and chief designer Elon Musk|last=Clark|first=Stephen|date=18 May 2012|publisher=SpaceFlightNow|accessdate=29 June 2012}}</ref><br/>
[[Falcon 9 v1.1]]<br/><small>([[SpaceX CRS-3|Dragon C5]]–)</small><ref name=MuskMay2012/>
|label5 = Maiden flight
|data5 = 8 December 2010 (launch of first orbital flight)<ref name=FirstFlight2010/><br/>22 May 2012 (launch of first cargo delivery flight to the ISS)<ref name=LaunchAtLast/>
|header6 = Dimensions
|label7= Height
|data7 = 6.1 meters (20 feet)<ref name="SpXBroc">{{cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/SpaceX_Brochure_V7_All.pdf |title=SpaceX Brochure – 2008 |format=PDF |accessdate=9 December 2010}}</ref>
|label8 = Diameter
|data8 = 3.7 meters (12.1 feet)<ref name="SpXBroc"/>
|label9 = Sidewall angle
|data9 = 15 degrees
|label10 = Volume
|data10 = {{convert|10|m3|abbr=on}} pressurized<ref name="sx20090918"/><br /><!--
-->{{convert|14|m3|abbr=on}} unpressurized<ref name="sx20090918"/><br /><!--
-->{{convert|34|m3|abbr=on}} unpressurized with extended trunk<ref name="sx20090918"/>
|label11 = [[Dry mass]]
|data11 = {{convert|4200|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="SpXBroc"/>
|label12 = [[Payload (air and space craft)|Payload]]
|data12 = to ISS {{convert|3310|kg|abbr=on}}, which can be all pressurized, all unpressurized or anywhere in between. It can return to Earth {{convert|3310|kg|abbr=on}}, which can be all unpressurized disposal mass or up to {{convert|2500|kg|abbr=on}} of return pressurized cargo<ref name=ISS-1>[http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/pdf/418857main_sec_nnj09ga04b.pdf "The ISS CRS contract (signed December 23, 2008)"]</ref>
|header13 = Miscellaneous
|label14 = Endurance
|data14 = 1 week to 2 years<ref name="sx20090918"/>
|label15 = [[Re-entry]] at
|data15 = 3.5 [[G-force|Gs]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nal-jsc.org/Presentation_NASA%20Alumni%20League_JSC__Bowersox_%20Final_012511%20%282%29.pdf |last=Bowersox |first=Ken |date=25 January 2011 |publisher=SpaceX |accessdate=13 October 2011 |title=SpaceX Today|format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/361838main_11%20-%20SpaceX%20Augustine%20Briefing%20-%20Public%20Session.pdf |title=COTS Status Update & Crew Capabilities |last=Musk |first=Elon |format=PDF|date=17 July 2009 |publisher=SpaceX |accessdate=16 April 2012}}</ref>
|label16 = Propellant
|data16 = [[Dinitrogen tetroxide|NTO]]/[[Monomethylhydrazine|MMH]]<ref name=FAA2012>{{cite web|url=http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/media/The_Annual_Compendium_of_Commercial_Space_Transporation_2012.pdf|title=The Annual Compendium of Commercial Space Transportation: 2012|date=February 2012|publisher=[[Federal Aviation Administration]]|format=PDF|accessdate=8 February 2013}}</ref>
}}


'''Dragon''' is a partially reusable [[spacecraft]] developed by [[SpaceX]], an American [[Private spaceflight|private space]] [[space transport|transportation]] company based in [[Hawthorne, California]]. Dragon is launched into space by the SpaceX [[Falcon 9]] [[two-stage-to-orbit]] [[launch vehicle]], and is capable of both manned and [[Robotic spacecraft|robotic operation]].
'''Dragon''' is a family of spacecraft developed and produced by American private space transportation company [[SpaceX]].


The first variant, later named [[SpaceX Dragon 1|Dragon 1]], flew 23 cargo missions to the [[International Space Station]] (ISS) between 2010 and 2020 before retiring. Design of this version, not designed to carry astronauts, was funded by [[NASA]] with $396 million awarded through the [[Commercial Orbital Transportation Services]] program and contracted to ferry cargo under the [[Commercial Resupply Services]] (CRS) program.
During its uncrewed maiden flight in December 2010, Dragon became the first commercially-built and operated spacecraft to be recovered successfully from orbit.<ref name=FirstFlight2010>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1336868/SpaceX-Dragon-privately-funded-spaceship-launched-orbit.html |title=Mission accomplished! SpaceX Dragon becomes the first privately funded spaceship launched into orbit and guided back to Earth |first=Daniel |last=Bates |date=9 December 2010 |work=[[Daily Mail]] |location=London |accessdate=9 December 2010}}</ref> On 25 May 2012, an uncrewed variant of Dragon [[COTS Demo Flight 2|became the first commercial spacecraft]] to successfully [[space rendezvous|rendezvous]] with and be attached to the [[International Space Station]] (ISS).<ref name=FirstDock/><ref name="NYT-20120525">{{cite web |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |title=Space X Capsule Docks at Space Station |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/science/space/space-x-capsule-docks-at-space-station.html|date=25 May 2012 |work=[[New York Times]]|accessdate=25 May 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SpaceX's Dragon Docks With Space Station—A First|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/05/120525-spacex-dragon-robot-arm-international-space-station-nation/|work=[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]]|date=25 May 2012|accessdate=28 May 2012}}</ref> SpaceX is contracted to deliver cargo to the ISS under [[NASA]]'s [[Commercial Resupply Services]] program, and Dragon began regular cargo flights in October 2012.<ref name=InOrbitOctober2012>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/17943-spacex-dragon-capsule-space-cargo-launch.html|title=Liftoff! SpaceX Dragon Launches 1st Private Space Station Cargo Mission|publisher=Space.com|date=8 October 2012 (UTC)}}</ref><ref name=oct8Launch/><ref name=sepLaunch/><ref name=augLaunch>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16rfcTbU_D4&t=7m35s|title=Press Briefed On the Next Mission to the International Space Station|date=20 March 2012|publisher=NASA|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref>


An improved version, the [[SpaceX Dragon 2|Dragon 2]], was introduced in 2019 and has both crewed and cargo versions. The first un-crewed flight test ([[Crew Dragon Demo-1|Demo-1]]) took place in March 2019, followed by a crewed flight test ([[Crew Dragon Demo-2|Demo-2]]) in May 2020. Since those flight tests, the Crew Dragon has become one of the primary spacecraft ferrying crew to and from the ISS. While the Cargo Dragon continues to carry cargo under the CRS program.
SpaceX is additionally developing a crewed variant of the Dragon called Dragon V2. Dragon V2 will be able to carry up to seven astronauts, or some combination of crew and cargo, to and from [[low Earth orbit]]. SpaceX has received several [[Federal government of the United States|U.S. Government]] contracts to develop its crewed variant, including a [[Commercial Crew Development#CCDev 2|Commercial Crew Development 2]] (CCDev 2)-funded [[Space Act Agreement]] in April 2011, and a [[Commercial Crew Development#Commercial Crew integrated Capability|Commercial Crew integrated Capability]] (CCiCap)-funded space act agreement in August 2012. The spacecraft's heat shield is furthermore designed to withstand Earth re-entry velocities from potential [[Moon|Lunar]] and [[Mars|Martian]]<!--Red Dragon isn't planned to return to Earth--> spaceflights.<ref name="2ndF9arrives">{{cite web|last=Clark|first=Stephen|title=Second Falcon 9 rocket begins arriving at the Cape|url = http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/002/100716firststage/|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=16 July 2010|accessdate=16 July 2010}}</ref>


SpaceX has also proposed versions named [[SpaceX Red Dragon|Red Dragon]] for Mars exploration and '''Dragon XL''' to provide [[Gateway Logistics Services]] to the [[Lunar Gateway]].
==General characteristics==
[[File:Dragon spacecraft press and unpress sections.png|left|thumb|Drawing showing the pressurized (red) and unpressurized (orange) sections of Dragon]]
The Dragon spacecraft consists of a nose-cone cap that jettisons after launch, a conventional blunt-cone [[space capsule|ballistic capsule]], and an unpressurized cargo-carrier trunk equipped with two solar arrays.<ref name=overview>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/dragon.php|title=Dragon Overview|publisher=SpaceX|accessdate=16 April 2012}}</ref> The capsule uses a [[Phenolic impregnated carbon ablator|PICA-X]] [[heat shield]] – based on a proprietary variant of NASA's [[Phenolic impregnated carbon ablator#PICA|phenolic impregnated carbon ablator]] (PICA) material – designed to protect the capsule during Earth [[atmospheric reentry]], even at high return velocities from [[Moon|Lunar]] and [[Mars|Martian]] missions.<ref name="2ndF9arrives"/><ref name=sx-update20071210/><ref>{{cite news| url = http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/002/100716firststage/|title = Second Falcon 9 rocket begins arriving at the Cape|publisher = Spaceflight Now|date=16 July 2010|accessdate=4 February 2013}}</ref> The Dragon capsule is re-usable, and can be flown on multiple missions.<ref name=overview/> The trunk is not recoverable; it separates from the capsule before re-entry and burns up in Earth's atmosphere.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/005/returntimeline.html|title=SpaceX CRS-2 Dragon return timeline|date=26 March 2013|quote=The unpressurized trunk section of the Dragon spacecraft separates. The trunk is designed to burn up on re-entry, while the pressurized capsule returns to Earth intact.|publisher=Spaceflightnow|accessdate=13 April 2013}}</ref>


== Name ==
The spacecraft is launched atop a [[Falcon 9]] booster.<ref name="popmech-dec06-31">{{cite journal|last = Jones|first = Thomas D.|title = Tech Watch&nbsp;— Resident Astronaut|journal=Popular Mechanics|volume = 183|issue = 12|date=December 2006|issn = 0032-4558|page = 31|postscript = .}}</ref> The Dragon capsule is equipped with 18 [[Draco (rocket engine family)|Draco]] thrusters, dual-redun­dant in all [[Flight dynamics (spacecraft)|axes]]: any two can fail without compromising the vehicle's control over its [[Flight dynamics|pitch, yaw, roll and translation]].<ref name=sx-update20071210>
SpaceX's CEO, [[Elon Musk]], named the spacecraft after the 1963 song "[[Puff, the Magic Dragon]]" by [[Peter, Paul and Mary]], reportedly as a response to critics who considered his spaceflight projects impossible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/15799-spacex-dragon-capsule-fun-facts.html|title=5 Fun Facts About Private Rocket Company SpaceX|publisher=Space.com|date=21 May 2012|access-date=26 May 2012|archive-date=23 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523084756/http://www.space.com/15799-spacex-dragon-capsule-fun-facts.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Early on, it had been named '''''Magic Dragon''''', and t-shirts had been printed with this name.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBa8zZsDOyU&t=420s Tom Markusic, founder of Firefly Aerospace, explains the name of the Dragon spacecraft during his early days working at Space X] (YouTube video of Nov 14, 2022 lecture at the University of Texas at Austin, Aerospace Engineering Department, published Nov 17, 2022)</ref> As late as September 2012, SpaceX board member [[Steve Jurvetson]] was still referring to it as "The Magic Dragon, Puffed to the sea."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/7978144836|title=The Magic Dragon|last=Jurvetson|first=Steve|date=7 September 2012|access-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref> That was his caption to a photo of the capsule several months after it had completed its [[SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2#Capsule journey post-mission|COTS 2]] demo flight where the spacecraft had accomplished its first docking with the [[ISS]]. This song, ostensibly composed for children, had long been associated with [[Puff, the Magic Dragon#Speculation about drug references|perceived references]] to smoking [[marijuana]]. In 2008, Elon Musk confirmed that the association between the song and marijuana was the reason behind the name Dragon, saying that "so many people thought I [must be] smoking weed to do this venture."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3RlCVtQ6mA&t=17m40s Elon Musk, CEO and CTO, Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) explains how he picked the names 'Falcon' and 'Dragon'], Google Zeitgeist'08 talk "10 Years In / 10 Years Out", September 18, 2008 (YouTube, published on Sep 22, 2008)</ref>
{{cite web | url = http://www.spacex.com/updates_archive.php | title=SpaceX Updates&nbsp;— December&nbsp;10,&nbsp;2007 | publisher=SpaceX | date=10 December 2007 | accessdate=11 December 2007}}</ref> During its initial cargo and crew flights, the Dragon capsule will land in the Pacific Ocean and be returned to the shore by ship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/downloads/cots1-20101206.pdf|title=SpaceX • COTS Flight 1 Press Kit|date=6 December 2010|publisher=SpaceX|accessdate=29 April 2012|format=PDF}}</ref> SpaceX plans to eventually install deployable landing gear and use eight upgraded [[SuperDraco (rocket engine)|SuperDraco]] thrusters to perform a solid earth<!--earth is intentionally left uncapitalized--> [[propulsive landing]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.spacex.com/updates.php | title = Dragon Drop Test – August&nbsp;20,&nbsp;2010 | publisher = Spacex.com | date = 20 August 2010 | accessdate =9 December 2010 }}</ref><ref name=sxvid20110114/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://science.house.gov/sites/republicans.science.house.gov/files/documents/hearings/102611_Musk.pdf | title = Elon Musk Congressional testimony October&nbsp;26,&nbsp;2011}}</ref><!--How many times is each planned to be re-used?-->


== Dragon 1 ==
The trunk section, which carries the spacecraft's solar panels and allows the transport of unpressurized cargo to the ISS, was first used for cargo on the [[SpaceX CRS-2]] mission.
{{main|SpaceX Dragon 1}}
Dragon 1 was the original Dragon iteration, providing cargo service to the ISS. It flew 23 missions between 2010 and 2020, when it was retired. On 25 May 2012, NASA astronaut [[Don Pettit]] operated the [[Canadarm2]] to grapple the first SpaceX Dragon and berth it to the Harmony module. This marked the first time a private spacecraft had ever rendezvoused with the ISS. The Dragon capsule was carrying supplies for the ISS, and the successful capture demonstrated the feasibility of using privately developed spacecraft to resupply the station. Pettit was also the first to enter the uncrewed supply ship on May 26, making him the first astronaut in the history of space exploration to successfully enter a commercially-built and operated spacecraft in orbit. During the capture, he was quoted saying, "Houston, Station, we've got us a dragon by the tail."


===Name===
== Dragon 2 ==
[[File:Crew Dragon Endurance at the ISS.jpg|thumb|{{ComV|Dragon 2|Endurance}} docked to the ISS]]
SpaceX's CEO, [[Elon Musk]], named the spacecraft after the 1963 song "[[Puff, the Magic Dragon]]" by [[Peter, Paul and Mary]], reportedly as a response to critics who considered his spaceflight projects impossible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/15799-spacex-dragon-capsule-fun-facts.html|title=5 Fun Facts About Private Rocket Company SpaceX|publisher=Space.com|date=21 May 2012|accessdate=26 May 2012}}</ref>
{{main|SpaceX Dragon 2}}


An improved version, the [[SpaceX Dragon 2|Dragon 2]], was introduced in 2019 and has two versions: Crew Dragon and Cargo Dragon. The first un-crewed flight test ([[Crew Dragon Demo-1|Demo-1]]) took place in March 2019, followed by a crewed flight test ([[Crew Dragon Demo-2|Demo-2]]) in May 2020.
===Production===
In December 2010, the SpaceX production line was reported to be manufacturing one new Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket every three months. Elon Musk stated in a 2010 interview that he planned to increase production turnover to one Dragon every six weeks by 2012.<ref name="Space Interview 20101209">{{cite news|url=http://www.space.com/10443-spacex-ceo-elon-musk-master-private-space-dragons.html|last=Chow|first=Denise|title=Q & A with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk: Master of Private Space Dragons|accessdate=31 May 2012|newspaper=Space.com|date=8 December 2010|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/641HJkSXx|archivedate=18 December 2011|location=New York}}</ref> [[Composite material]]s are extensively used in the spacecraft's manufacture to reduce weight and improve structural strength.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reinforcedplastics.com/view/26038/fibersim-helps-spacex-manufacture-composite-parts-for-dragon-spacecraft/|title=Fibersim helps SpaceX manufacture composite parts for Dragon spacecraft|publisher=ReinforcedPlastics.com|date=15 June 2012|accessdate=11 January 2013}}</ref>


The Crew Dragon is one of the primary spacecraft ferrying crew members to and from the ISS and on private missions. The Cargo Dragon carries cargo to the ISS under the CRS program.
By September 2013, SpaceX total manufacturing space had increased to nearly {{convert|1000000|ft2}} and the factory had six Dragons in various stages of production. SpaceX published a photograph showing the six, including the next four NASA Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission Dragons ([[SpaceX CRS-3|CRS-3]], [[SpaceX CRS-4|CRS-4]], [[SpaceX CRS-5|CRS-5]], [[SpaceX CRS-6|CRS-6]]) plus the drop-test Dragon, and the pad-abort Dragon [[weldment]] for commercial crew.<ref name=sxProd20130924>
{{cite web |title=Production at SpaceX |url=http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/09/24/production-spacex |date=2013-09-24 |publisher=SpaceX |accessdate=2013-09-29 }}</ref>


== ''Red Dragon'' ==
==History==
{{main|SpaceX Red Dragon}}
SpaceX began [[New product development|developing]] the Dragon spacecraft in late 2004.<ref name=Brian/> In 2006, SpaceX won a contract to use the Dragon spacecraft for commercially supplied resupply services to the International Space Station for the American [[Federal government of the United States|federal]] space agency, NASA.<ref name=sfn20060818/>


''Red Dragon'' was a cancelled version of the Dragon spacecraft that had been previously proposed to fly farther than [[Geocentric orbit|Earth orbit]] and [[Mars transfer orbit|transit]] to [[Mars]] via [[interplanetary space]]. In addition to SpaceX's own privately funded plans for an eventual [[Exploration of Mars|Mars mission]], [[NASA]] [[Ames Research Center]] had developed a concept called ''Red Dragon''. ''Red Dragon'' was to be a low-cost Mars mission that would use [[Falcon Heavy]] as the launch vehicle and trans-Martian injection vehicle, and the [[SpaceX Dragon 2]]-based capsule to enter the [[atmosphere of Mars]]. The concept was originally envisioned for launch in 2018 as a [[Discovery Program|NASA Discovery mission]], then alternatively for 2022, but was never formally submitted for funding within NASA.<ref name="Wall2015">{{cite news|last=Wall|first=Mike|url=http://www.space.com/30504-spacex-red-dragon-mars-sample-return.html|title="Red Dragon" Mars Sample-Return Mission Could Launch by 2022|work=Space.com|date=10 September 2015|access-date=20 September 2015|archive-date=26 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126061843/http://www.space.com/30504-spacex-red-dragon-mars-sample-return.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The mission would have been designed to return samples from Mars to Earth at a fraction of the cost of NASA's own sample-return mission, which was projected in 2015 to cost US$6 billion.<ref name="Wall2015"/>
===NASA ISS resupply contract===
In 2005, NASA solicited proposals for a commercial ISS resupply cargo vehicle to replace the then-soon-to-be-retired [[Space Shuttle retirement|Space Shuttle]], through its [[Commercial Orbital Transportation Services]] (COTS) development program. The Dragon spacecraft was a part of SpaceX's proposal, submitted to NASA in March 2006. SpaceX's COTS proposal was issued as part of a team, which also included [[MD Robotics]], the Canadian company that had built the ISS's [[Canadarm2]].
[[File:SpaceX factory Dragon capsule.jpg|thumb|left|upright|An early Dragon pressure vessel, photographed during factory tests in 2008]]
[[File:DragonEye on STS-133.jpg|right|thumb|The DragonEye system on [[Space Shuttle Discovery|Space Shuttle ''Discovery'']] during [[STS-133]]]]


On 27 April 2016, SpaceX announced its plan to go ahead and launch a modified Dragon lander to Mars in 2018.<ref name="spacex-tweet-20160427">{{cite tweet|user=SpaceX|number=725351354537906176|title=Planning to send Dragon to Mars as soon as 2018. Red Dragons will inform overall Mars architecture, details to come|date=27 April 2016}}</ref><ref name="Newmann2016">{{cite web|last1=Newmann|first1=Dava|title=Exploring Together|url=http://blogs.nasa.gov/newman/2016/04/27/exploring-together/|website=blogs.nasa.gov|date=27 April 2016 |access-date=27 April 2016|archive-date=1 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501034413/http://blogs.nasa.gov/newman/2016/04/27/exploring-together/|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> However, Musk cancelled the ''Red Dragon'' program in July 2017 to focus on developing the [[SpaceX Starship|Starship]] system instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/07/spacex-appears-to-have-pulled-the-plug-on-its-red-dragon-plans/|title=SpaceX appears to have pulled the plug on its Red Dragon plans|last=Berger|first=Eric|website=arstechnica.com|date=19 July 2017|access-date=21 July 2017|archive-date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721003827/https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/07/spacex-appears-to-have-pulled-the-plug-on-its-red-dragon-plans/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="theverge-20170719">{{cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/19/15999384/elon-musk-spacex-dragon-capsule-mars-mission|title=Elon Musk suggests SpaceX is scrapping its plans to land Dragon capsules on Mars|publisher=The Verge|first=Loren|last=Grush|date=19 July 2017|access-date=10 November 2019|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731225406/https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/19/15999384/elon-musk-spacex-dragon-capsule-mars-mission|url-status=live}}</ref> The modified ''Red Dragon'' capsule would have performed all [[Atmospheric entry|entry, descent and landing]] (EDL) functions needed to deliver payloads of {{convert|1000|kg}} or more to the Martian surface without using a parachute. Preliminary analysis showed that the capsule's atmospheric drag would slow it enough for the final stage of its descent to be within the abilities of its [[SuperDraco]] retro-propulsion thrusters.<ref name="sdc20110731">{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/12489-nasa-mars-life-private-spaceship-red-dragon.html|title="Red Dragon" Mission Mulled as Cheap Search for Mars Life|last=Wall|first=Mike|publisher=Space.com|date=31 July 2011|access-date=1 May 2012|archive-date=1 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201051520/http://www.space.com/12489-nasa-mars-life-private-spaceship-red-dragon.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NAC 2011">{{cite web |url=https://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2012/01/23/NAC_Science_Meeting_ReportOctober_31-November_1_2011-finalTAGGED.pdf|title=NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL (NAC) – Science Committee Report|publisher=NASA Ames Research Center|date=1 November 2011|access-date=1 May 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120203325/http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2012/01/23/NAC_Science_Meeting_ReportOctober_31-November_1_2011-finalTAGGED.pdf|archive-date=20 January 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
On 18 August 2006, NASA announced that SpaceX had been chosen, along with [[Kistler Aerospace]], to develop cargo launch services for the ISS.<ref name=sfn20060818>{{cite web | url =http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0608/18cots/ | title=NASA selects crew, cargo launch partners | publisher=Spaceflight Now | date=18 August 2006 |archivedate=18 December 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/641FKAALF|accessdate=18 December 2011}}</ref> The initial plan called for three demonstration flights of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft to be conducted between 2008 and 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/168735main_AIAA_2007_COTS.pdf|title=Commercial Crew & Cargo Program Overview|last=Thorn|first=Valin|date=11 January 2007|publisher=NASA|accessdate=15 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="msnbc COTS contract 20080818">{{cite news | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14411983/ | title=SpaceX, Rocketplane win spaceship contest | first=Alan|last=Boyle|newspaper=[[MSNBC]] | date= 18 August 2006 | authorlink=Alan Boyle| archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/641G68iQy|archivedate=18 December 2011|accessdate=18 December 2011|location=New York}}</ref> SpaceX and Kistler were to receive up to $278 million and $207 million respectively,<ref name="msnbc COTS contract 20080818"/> if they met all NASA milestones, but Kistler failed to meet its obligations, and its contract was terminated in 2007.<ref name="RpK Plug Pulled">{{cite web| url =http://www.space.com/news/071019-rocketplane-pulledplug.html |first=Brian | last=Berger| title = Time Runs out for RpK; New COTS Competition Starts Immediately | publisher = Space.com | date = 19 October 2007 | archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/641Eu5MP6|archivedate=18 December 2011| accessdate =9 December 2010}}</ref> NASA later re-awarded Kistler's contract to [[Orbital Sciences]].<ref name="RpK Plug Pulled" /><ref name="NSF-COTS">{{cite news|last=Bergin|first=Chris|title=Orbital beat a dozen competitors to win NASA COTS contract|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2008/02/orbital-beat-a-dozen-competitors-to-win-nasa-cots-contract/|accessdate=18 December 2011|publisher=NASASpaceflight.com|date=19 February 2008|archiveurl=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2008/02/orbital-beat-a-dozen-competitors-to-win-nasa-cots-contract/|archivedate=18 December 2011}}</ref>


== Dragon XL ==<!-- There is an excerpt to this exact section at [[Artemis_program#Dragon_XL]] -->
On 23 December 2008, NASA awarded a $1.6 billion [[Commercial Resupply Services]] (CRS) contract to SpaceX, with contract options that could potentially increase the maximum contract value to $3.1 billion.<ref name="SpaceX Cargo Contract 20081223">{{cite press | url=http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20081223|title=F9/Dragon Will Replace the Cargo Transport Function of the Space Shuttle after 2010|publisher=SpaceX|location=Hawthorne, California|date=23 December 2008|accessdate=26 January 2009}}</ref> The contract called for 12 flights to the ISS, with a minimum of {{convert|20000|kg|abbr=on}} of cargo carried to the ISS.<ref name="SpaceX Cargo Contract 20081223"/>
[[File:SpaceX Dragon XL logistics module (2).jpg|thumb|Rendering of the proposed SpaceX Dragon XL]]
On 27 March 2020, SpaceX revealed the '''Dragon XL''' resupply spacecraft to carry pressurized and unpressurized cargo, experiments and other supplies to NASA's planned [[Lunar Gateway]] under a [[Gateway Logistics Services]] (GLS) contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-artemis-contract-for-gateway-logistics-services|title=NASA Awards Artemis Contract for Gateway Logistics Services|last=Potter|first=Sean|date=27 March 2020|website=NASA|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=27 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327195418/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-artemis-contract-for-gateway-logistics-services|url-status=live}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="spacenews-3">{{Cite web|last=Foust|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Foust|title=SpaceX wins NASA commercial cargo contract for lunar Gateway|url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-nasa-commercial-cargo-contract-for-lunar-gateway/|website=[[SpaceNews]]|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200329123606/https://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-nasa-commercial-cargo-contract-for-lunar-gateway/|archive-date=29 March 2020|date=27 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The equipment delivered by Dragon XL missions could include sample collection materials, spacesuits and other items astronauts may need on the Gateway and on the surface of the [[Moon]], according to [[NASA]]. It will launch on SpaceX [[Falcon Heavy]] rockets from [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC-39A]] at the [[Kennedy Space Center]] in [[Florida]].<ref name="Spaceflight Now-XL">{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/03/27/nasa-picks-spacex-to-deliver-cargo-to-gateway-station-in-lunar-orbit/|title=NASA picks SpaceX to deliver cargo to Gateway station in lunar orbit|publisher=Spaceflight Now|first1=Stephen|last1=Clark|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=28 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328020010/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/03/27/nasa-picks-spacex-to-deliver-cargo-to-gateway-station-in-lunar-orbit/|url-status=live}}</ref>


The Dragon XL will stay at the Gateway for 6 to 12 months at a time, when research payloads inside and outside the cargo vessel could be operated remotely, even when crews are not present.<ref name="Spaceflight Now-XL" /> Its payload capacity is expected to be more than {{convert|5000|kg}} to lunar orbit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/03/dragon-xl-nasa-spacex-lunar-gateway-supply-contract/|title=Dragon XL revealed as NASA ties SpaceX to Lunar Gateway supply contract|date=27 March 2020|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=28 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328020206/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/03/dragon-xl-nasa-spacex-lunar-gateway-supply-contract/|url-status=live}}</ref> There is no requirement for a return to Earth. At the end of the mission the Dragon XL must be able to undock and dispose of the same mass it can bring to the Gateway, by moving the spacecraft to a heliocentric orbit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-delays-starting-contract-with-spacex-for-gateway-cargo-services/|title=NASA delays starting contract with SpaceX for Gateway cargo services|date=15 April 2021|access-date=21 January 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210417064753/https://spacenews.com/nasa-delays-starting-contract-with-spacex-for-gateway-cargo-services/|archive-date=17 April 2021}}</ref>
On 23 February 2009, SpaceX announced that its chosen heat shield material, PICA-X, had passed heat stress tests in preparation for Dragon's maiden launch.<ref>{{cite press release | title = SpaceX Manufactured Heat Shield Material Passes High Temperature Tests Simulating Reentry Heating Conditions of Dragon Spacecraft | date = 23 February 2009 | publisher = [[SpaceX]] | url = http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20090223 |accessdate=16 July 2009}}</ref>
<!-- end excerpt-->
PICA-X is reportedly ten times cheaper to manufacture than NASA's PICA heat shield material.<ref name=a&s201201>
{{cite news|last=Chaikin|first=Andrew|title=1 visionary + 3 launchers + 1,500 employees = ? : Is SpaceX changing the rocket equation? |url=http://www.airspacemag.com/space-exploration/Visionary-Launchers-Employees.html?c=y&page=2 |accessdate=13 November 2011 |newspaper=Air & Space Smithsonian |date=January 2012 | archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/641B56u8L | archivedate=18 December 2011 }}</ref>


On 22 February 2023, NASA discussed the Dragon XL's development for the first time since its 2020 unveiling, with Mark Wiese, NASA's manager of deep space logistics for the Gateway program, answering during a panel at [[Space Congress|SpaceCom]] that NASA has been working with SpaceX to run a series of studies to refine the Dragon XL design and examine cargo configurations and other capabilities that could be enabled by the spacecraft.<ref name="SpaceNews-XL">{{cite web |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |title=NASA plans to start work this year on first Gateway logistics mission |url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-plans-to-start-work-this-year-on-first-gateway-logistics-mission/ |website=[[SpaceNews]] |date=24 February 2023 |access-date=4 June 2024}}</ref> Wiese also elaborated that Dragon XL would be used for initial missions, and stating that "[NASA] talked to [SpaceX] about [[SpaceX Starship (spacecraft)|Starship]] evolution and how it all worked together, but we’re not there yet because it's still in a development phase" insinuating that Starship will eventually replace Dragon XL once it completes development.<ref name="SpaceNews-XL" />
The primary proximity-operations sensor for the Dragon spacecraft, the DragonEye, was tested in early 2009 during the [[STS-127]] mission, when it was mounted near the docking port of the [[Space Shuttle Endeavour|Space Shuttle ''Endeavour'']] and used while the Shuttle approached the [[International Space Station]]. The DragonEye's [[LIDAR]] and [[thermography|thermal imaging]] capabilities were both tested successfully.<ref name="SpaceX Update 20090923">{{cite press|title=UPDATE: Wednesday, September 23, 2009|url=http://www.spacex.com/updates_archive.php?page=2009_2|publisher=SpaceX|accessdate=18 December 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/641C6uM3C|archivedate=18 December 2011|location=Hawthorne, California|date=23 September 2009}}</ref><ref>[http://www.spacex.com/updates.php Update: 23 September 2009]. SpaceX.com. Retrieved 9 November 2012.</ref> The COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) and Crew Command Panel (CCP) were delivered to the ISS during the late 2009 [[STS-129]] mission.<ref name=CUCU>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/03/spacex-activation-dragons-cucu-onboard-iss/|title=SpaceX announce successful activation of Dragon’s CUCU onboard ISS|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=28 March 2010|publisher=NASASpaceflight.com|accessdate=27 April 2012}}</ref> The CUCU allows the ISS to communicate with Dragon and the CCP allows ISS crew members to issue basic commands to Dragon.<ref name=CUCU/> In summer 2009, SpaceX hired former [[NASA]] astronaut [[Ken Bowersox]] as vice president of their new Astronaut Safety and Mission Assurance Department, in preparation for crews using the spacecraft.<ref>{{cite press|title=Former astronaut Bowersox Joins SpaceX as vice president of Astronaut Safety and Mission Assurance|date=18 June 2009 |publisher=[[SpaceX]]|url = http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20090618 | archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/641BWqtaW | archivedate= 18 December 2011 | accessdate=22 December 2012}}</ref>


On 29 March 2024, NASA released an article outlining the mission of [[Artemis IV]], which is to be the first crewed mission to the Lunar Gateway slated for 2028, stating that the Dragon XL will be used to resupply and carry science experiments, however, Artemis IV will take place concurrently with a Starship launch which will dock at the Gateway and help with the assembly of the station.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hambleton |first1=Kathryn |last2=Williams |first2=Catherine E. |title=NASA's Artemis IV: Building First Lunar Space Station |url=https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasas-artemis-iv-building-first-lunar-space-station/ |website=[[NASA]] |date=29 March 2024 |access-date=4 June 2024}}</ref>
As a condition of the NASA CRS contract, SpaceX analyzed the orbital [[space radiation|radiation environment]] on all Dragon systems, and how the spacecraft would respond to spurious radiation events. That analysis and the Dragon design – which uses an overall [[fault-tolerant]] triple-redundant computer architecture, rather than individual [[radiation hardening]] of each computer processor – was reviewed by independent experts before being approved by NASA for the cargo flights.<ref name=aw20121118/>


== See also ==
====Demonstration flights====
{{Commons category|SpaceX Dragon}}{{Portal|Spaceflight
[[File:COTS2 Dragon is berthed.jpg|left|thumb|The CRS Dragon being berthed to the ISS by the [[Canadarm2]] manipulator during the COTS 2 mission]]
}}
[[File:Inside the Dragon (capsule).jpg|Interior of the COTS 2 Dragon capsule.|thumb|right]]
* [[Comparison of space station cargo vehicles]]
[[File:Space X water3.JPG|Recovery of the COTS 2 Dragon capsule on 31 May 2012.|thumb|right]]
* [[List of human spaceflight programs]]
[[File:SpX CRS-2 launch - cropped.jpg|thumb|right|The Dragon spacecraft being launched on a Falcon 9 v1.0 rocket]]
* [[Space Shuttle retirement#Current and future Space Shuttle successors|Space Shuttle successors]]
The first flight of the Falcon 9, a [[Private spaceflight|private]] flight, occurred in June 2010 and launched a [[Boilerplate (spaceflight)|stripped-down]] version of the Dragon capsule. This [[Dragon Spacecraft Qualification Unit]] had initially been used as a ground test bed to validate several of the capsule's systems. During the flight, the unit's primary mission was to relay aerodynamic data captured during the ascent.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/COTS09209.xml&channel=awst | title = SpaceX, Orbital Explore Using Their Launch Vehicles To Carry Humans|date = 20 September 2009|author = Guy Norris|work = [[Aviation Week]]|accessdate=26 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20100607|title = SpaceX Achieves Orbital Bullseye With Inaugural Flight of Falcon 9 Rocket: A major win for NASA’s plan to use commercial rockets for astronaut transport|date = 7 June 2010| publisher = [[SpaceX]] }}</ref> It was not designed to survive re-entry, and did not.


== References ==
NASA contracted for three test flights from SpaceX, but later reduced that number to two.
{{Reflist}}
The first Dragon spacecraft launched on its first mission – contracted to NASA as [[COTS Demo Flight 1]] – on 8 December 2010, and was successfully recovered following [[Atmospheric entry|reentry to Earth's atmosphere]]; the mission furthermore marked the second flight of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle.<ref name="BBCLaunchDec2010">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11948329 "Private space capsule's maiden voyage ends with a splash"]. BBC News. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2011.</ref> The DragonEye sensor flew again on [[STS-133]] in February 2011 for further on-orbit testing.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/07/sts-133-spacexs-dragoneye-late-installation-discovery/ | title=STS-133: SpaceX’s DragonEye set for late installation on Discovery | publisher=NASASpaceflight.com | date=19 July 2010 |accessdate=24 April 2013}}</ref>
In November 2010, the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) had issued a [[Atmospheric entry|reentry]] license for the Dragon capsule, the first such license ever awarded to a commercial vehicle.<ref>{{cite press release | url = http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/nov/10-298_NASA_Statements.html | date = 22 November 2010 | title = NASA Statements On FAA Granting Reentry License To SpaceX| accessdate=24 April 2013}}</ref>

The [[COTS Demo Flight 2|second Dragon flight]], also contracted to NASA as a demonstration mission, launched successfully on 22 May 2012, after NASA had approved SpaceX's proposal to combine the COTS 2 and 3 mission objectives into a single Falcon 9/Dragon flight, renamed COTS 2+.<ref name=LaunchAtLast/><ref name="Spaceflight Now 20111209">{{cite web|last=Ray|first=Justin|title=SpaceX demo flights merged as launch date targeted|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/003/111209dates/|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=9 December 2011|accessdate=9 December 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/63oC76x1g|archivedate=9 December 2011|location=Tonbridge, Kent, United Kingdom}}</ref> Dragon conducted orbital tests of its navigation systems and abort procedures, before being grappled by the ISS' [[Canadarm2]] and successfully berthing with the station on 25 May to offload its cargo.<ref name="FirstDock">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/05/spacexs-dragon-historic-attempt-berth-with-iss/|title=SpaceX’s Dragon captured by ISS, preparing for historic berthing|publisher=NASASpaceflight.com|date=25 May 2012}}</ref><ref name=WiredBerth>[http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/05/spacex-docking/ "ISS welcomes SpaceX Dragon"]. ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/05/spacexs-dragon-achieving-milestones-falcon-9-ride/|title=SpaceX’s Dragon already achieving key milestones following Falcon 9 ride|publisher=NASASpaceflight.com|date=22 May 2012|accessdate=23 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=40906|title=NASA ISS On-Orbit Status 22 May 2012|publisher=[[NASA]] via SpaceRef.com|date=22 May 2012|accessdate=23 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://frenchtribune.com/teneur/1211418-cargo-aboard-dragon-spacecraft-be-unloaded-may-28|title=Cargo Aboard Dragon Spacecraft to Be Unloaded On May 28|author=Pierrot Durand|publisher=French Tribune|date=28 May 2012}}</ref> Dragon returned to Earth on 31 May 2012, landing as scheduled in the [[Pacific Ocean]], and was again successfully recovered.<ref name="Accomplished">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18273811|title=Splashdown for SpaceX Dragon spacecraft|publisher=BBC|date=31 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://businesstech.co.za/news/general/13755/spacex-dragon-capsule-opens-new-era/|title=SpaceX Dragon Capsule opens new era|publisher=[[Reuters]] via BusinessTech.co.za|date=28 May 2012|accessdate=27 April 2013}}</ref>

On 23 August 2012, NASA Administrator [[Charles F. Bolden, Jr.|Charles Bolden]] announced that SpaceX had completed all required milestones under the COTS contract, and was cleared to begin [[Commercial Resupply Services|operational re-supply missions to the ISS]].<ref>[http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/crew-cargo-milestones.html "NASA Administrator Announces New Commercial Crew And Cargo Milestones"]. NASA. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.</ref>

====Operational flights====
Dragon was launched on its first operational CRS-contract mission on 8 October 2012,<ref name=InOrbitOctober2012/> and completed the mission successfully on 28 October.<ref name=bbc20121028/>

[[SpaceX CRS-2]], the second CRS mission from SpaceX, was successfully launched on March 1, 2013. [[SpaceX CRS-3]], SpaceX's third CRS mission, was launched on April 18, 2014 and has been berthed with the [[ISS]] since April 20, 2014.

===Crewed development program===
[[File:Exterior of Dragon crew mock-up.jpg|right|thumb|Exterior of DragonRider mock-up]]
[[File:Interior of Dragon crew mock-up.jpg|right|thumb|Interior of DragonRider mock-up, showing the seat configuration]]
In 2006, Elon Musk stated that SpaceX had built "a prototype flight crew capsule, including a thoroughly tested 30-man-day life-support system".<ref name="Brian">{{cite web|last=Berger|first=Brian|url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11699810/| title = SpaceX building reusable crew capsule|publisher = MSNBC|date = 8 March 2006 |accessdate=9 December 2010 }}</ref> A video simulation of this escape system's operation was released in January 2011.<ref name="sxvid20110114">{{cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/multimedia/videos.php?id=58 |title=Commercial Crew Development (CCDEV) video |at=3:40 |publisher=[[SpaceX]] |format=video |date=14 January 2011 |accessdate=17 January 2011}}</ref> Musk stated in 2010 that the developmental cost of a crewed Dragon and Falcon 9 would be between $800 million and $1 billion.<ref>[http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1010/11commercialcrew/ "NASA expects a gap in commercial crew funding"]. Spaceflightnow.com. 11 October 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2011.</ref> In 2009 and 2010, Musk suggested on several occasions that plans for a crewed variant of the Dragon were proceeding and had a two-to-three-year timeline to completion.<ref name="This Week in Space">{{cite web | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifwFa5DtIps&feature=player_embedded | title=This Week in Space interview with Elon Musk | publisher=Spaceflight Now | date=24 January 2010}}</ref><ref name="Augustine">{{cite web | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O81Zq02eStg | title=Elon Musk's SpaceX presentation to the Augustine panel| publisher=YouTube | date=June 2009|accessdate=27 April 2013}}</ref> SpaceX submitted a bid for the third phase of CCDev, [[CCiCap]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-details-bid-to-win-nasa-shuttle-replacement-370213/|title=Boeing details bid to win NASA shuttle replacement |last=Rosenberg|first=Zach|date=30 March 2012|publisher=FlightGlobal|accessdate=15 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="gov">{{cite web |url=https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=230715a3035c3af460f542da1ad80562&tab=core&_cview=0 |title=COMMERCIAL CREW INTEGRATED CAPABILITY |date=23 January 2012 |publisher=NASA |accessdate=25 January 2012}}</ref>

====NASA Commercial Crew Development program====
SpaceX was not awarded funding during the first phase of NASA's [[Commercial Crew Development]] (CCDev) milestone-based program. However, the company was selected on 18 April 2011, during the second phase of the program, to receive an award valued at $75 million to help develop its crew system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1010/11commercialcrew/|title=NASA expects a gap in commercial crew funding|last=Clark|first=Stephen|date=11 October 2010|publisher=Spaceflightnow|accessdate=12 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/11421-nasa-private-spaceship-funding-astronauts.html|title=Private Spaceship Builders Split Nearly $270 Million in NASA Funds|last=Chow|first=Denise|date=18 April 2011|publisher=Space.com|accessdate=12 April 2012}}</ref>

Their CCDev2 milestones involve the further advancement of the Falcon 9/Dragon crew transportation design, the advancement of the [[Launch escape system|Launch Abort System]] propulsion design, completion of two crew accommodations demos, full-duration test firings of the launch abort engines, and demonstrations of their throttle capability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://procurement.ksc.nasa.gov/documents/NNK11MS04S_SAA-SpaceX.pdf|title=Space Act Agreement No.NNK11MS04S between NASA and SpaceX for CCDev 2|date=18 April 2011|publisher=NASA|accessdate=15 April 2012}}</ref>

SpaceX's launch abort system received preliminary design approval from NASA in October 2011.<ref name="Wired Abort Approved 20111027">{{cite news|last=Paur|first=Jason|title=SpaceX Launch Abort System Receives Preliminary Approval|url=http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/10/spacex-launch-abort-system-receives-preliminary-approval/#more-39701|accessdate=28 October 2011|newspaper=Wired|date=27 October 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6418UyOD7|archivedate=18 December 2011|location=San Francisco}}</ref> In December 2011, SpaceX performed its first crew accommodations test; the second such test is expected to involve [[spacesuit]] simulators and a higher-fidelity crewed Dragon mock-up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/623706main_CCDev2_Public_20120216_508.pdf|title=CCDev 2 Milestone Schedule|date=16 February 2012|publisher=NASA|accessdate=14 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Sa5vB_qBE&t=7m0s|title=ISS Update: SpaceX Space Act Agreement Status |date=23 March 2012|publisher=NASA|accessdate=14 April 2012}}</ref>
In January 2012, SpaceX successfully conducted full-duration tests of its SuperDraco landing/escape rocket engine at its Rocket Development Facility in [[McGregor, Texas]].<ref>[http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/02/video-spacex-tests-new-super-rocket-engines/#more-42245 "SpaceX Tests New ‘Super’ Rocket Engines"]. ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''. 1 February 2012.</ref>

On 3 August 2012, NASA announced the award of $440 million to SpaceX for the continuation of work on the Dragon under CCiCap.<ref>[http://spacenews.com/civil/120803-boeing-spacex-sierra-ccicap.html "Boeing, SpaceX and Sierra Nevada Win CCiCAP Awards"]. Spacenews.com. 3 August 2012.</ref> On 20 December 2013, SpaceX completed a parachute drop test in order to validate the new parachute design.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2014/01/17/nasa-commercial-crew-partner-spacex-tests-dragon-parachute-system/|title=NASA Commercial Crew Partner SpaceX Tests Dragon Parachute System|last=Messier|first=Doug|date=17 January 2014|publisher=Parabolic Arc|accessdate=21 January 2014}}</ref> This involved carrying a {{convert|12000|lb|kg}} Dragon test article by helicopter to an altitude of {{convert|8000|ft|m}} above the Pacific ocean.<ref name=NASAPARA>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/content/nasa-commercial-crew-partner-spacex-tests-dragon-parachute-system/|title= NASA Commercial Crew Partner SpaceX Tests Dragon Parachute System|date=17 January 2014|publisher=NASA|accessdate=21 January 2014}}</ref> The test article was released and intentionally forced into a tumble.<ref name=NASAPARA/> Dragon then released its two drogue parachutes, followed by its three main parachutes and splashed down into the ocean.<ref name=NASAPARA/> The test article was then retrieved by helicopter and returned to shore.<ref name=NASAPARA/>

In July 2013, SpaceX stated that a pad abort test is planned to occur no sooner than December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_07_01_2013_p26-589690.xml&p=1|title=Boeing, SpaceX Detail Capsule Test Plans|last=Norris|first=Guy|date=1 July 2013|publisher=Aviation Week|accessdate=4 July 2013}}</ref> During this test, the Dragon capsule will use its abort engines to launch away from a test stand at Launch Complex 40.<ref name=FloPadAbort>{{cite web|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013307030023|title=SpaceX presses ahead on crew testing at Cape Canaveral|last=Halvorson |first=Todd|date=3 July 2013|publisher=Florida Today|accessdate=4 July 2013}}</ref><ref name=JuNASAAbortSta>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press/2013/july/nasa-commercial-crew-partner-spacex-completes-two-human-critical-reviews/|title= NASA Commercial Crew Partner SpaceX Completes Two Human-Critical Reviews|date=2 July 2013|publisher=NASA|accessdate=4 July 2013}}</ref> It will travel to an altitude of {{convert|5000|ft|m}}, deploy its parachutes, splashdown into the ocean and be recovered.<ref name=FloPadAbort/><ref name=JuNASAAbortSta/> An in-flight abort is planned for no sooner than April 2014, which would see Dragon using its launch abort engines to escape from a Falcon 9 that is already in flight.<ref name=FloPadAbort/><ref name="CCiCap20120724">{{cite web|url=http://commercialcrew.nasa.gov/document_file_get.cfm?docid=633|title=Space Act Agreement NO. NNK12MSO2S between NASA and SpaceX For CCiCap|date=24 July 2012|publisher=NASA/SpaceX|accessdate=4 August 2012}}</ref> This test would occur at the point of worst-case dynamic loads, which is also when Dragon has the smallest performance margin for separation from its launch vehicle.<ref name=CCiCap20120724/>

As part of an optional milestone of CCiCap, the first crewed Dragon flight would occur no sooner than mid-2015.<ref name=CCiCap20120724/> This orbital flight would see Dragon being launched into a 200-nautical-mile (370-km) orbit. The first crewed mission is planned to last at least three days and be performed with a crew of three non-NASA personnel.<ref name=CCiCap20120724/> As part of another optional milestone, the first crewed Dragon flight to the ISS is planned to be launched no sooner than December 2015; this mission will also carry a non-NASA crew.<ref name=CCiCap20120724/>

===Red Dragon===
{{main|Red Dragon (spacecraft)}}
Red Dragon is a concept for a low-cost uncrewed [[Mars]] [[Lander (spacecraft)|lander]] that would utilize a SpaceX [[Falcon Heavy]] launch vehicle and a modified Dragon capsule to enter the Martian atmosphere. The concept will be proposed for funding in 2013 as a [[Discovery Program|NASA Discovery mission]], for launch in 2018.<ref name="sdc20110731">{{cite web |last=Wall|first=Mike |title='Red Dragon' Mission Mulled as Cheap Search for Mars Life |url=http://www.space.com/12489-nasa-mars-life-private-spaceship-red-dragon.html |accessdate=1 May 2012 |publisher=Space.com |date=31 July 2011 }}</ref><ref name="NAC 2011">{{cite web | url = http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2012/01/23/NAC_Science_Meeting_ReportOctober_31-November_1_2011-finalTAGGED.pdf | title = NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL (NAC) – Science Committee Report | accessdate = 1 May 2012 | date = 1 November 2011 | format = PDF | publisher = NASA Ames Research Center}}</ref> The mission would search for the [[biosignature]]s of past or present [[life on Mars (planet)|life on Mars]]. Red Dragon would drill about {{convert|1|m|ft|sp=us}} underground in an effort to sample reservoirs of [[Water on Mars#Evidence of frozen water|water ice]] known to exist in the shallow Martian subsurface.<ref name=sdc20110731/><ref name='NAC 2011'/>

A Dragon capsule is capable of performing all the entry, descent and landing (EDL) functions required to deliver payloads of {{convert|1|t|lb}} or more to the Martian surface without using a parachute. Preliminary analysis shows that the capsule's atmospheric drag will slow it sufficiently for the final stage of its descent to be within the capabilities of its [[SuperDraco (rocket engine)|SuperDraco]] retro-propulsion thrusters.<ref name=sdc20110731/><ref name='NAC 2011'/>

===Mars One Dragon===
The private [[Mars One]] [[colonization of Mars|colonization project]] developed an initial concept of using a {{convert|5|m|ft|adj=on|sp=us}}-diameter variant of Dragon, launched on a SpaceX [[Falcon Heavy]] rocket, to transport crew and cargo to the Martian surface.{{cn|date=January 2014}}

According to the Mars One 2014 timetable, the first launch would need to occur in July 2022, in preparation for the projected arrival of human colonists in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roadmap|url=http://www.mars-one.com/mission/roadmap|publisher=Mars One|accessdate=14 January 2014}}</ref> {{As of|May 2013}}, they had no relationship with SpaceX,<ref name="wiredUK">{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-05/13/mars-one|title=Mars One will take you to the Red Planet, if it can raise the cash|last=Shubber|first=Kadhim|date=13 May 2013|publisher=Wired.co.uk|accessdate=4 June 2013}}</ref> and SpaceX has made no comment on any early Mars mission for any customers.

==Development funding==
In 2014, SpaceX released the total combined development costs for both the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and the Dragon capsule. NASA provided {{USD|396 million}} while SpaceX provided over {{USD|450 million}} to fund both development efforts.<ref name=AtlanticCouncil20140604>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYocHwhfFDc |title=Discussion with Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO, SpaceX |publisher=Atlantic Council |first=Gwynne |last=Shotwell |time=12:20–13:10 |date=June 4, 2014 |accessdate=June 8, 2014 |quote=''NASA ultimately gave us about $396 million; SpaceX put in over $450 million ... [for an] EELV-class launch vehcle ... as well as a capsule}}</ref>

==Design==

===Dragon CRS===
For the ISS Dragon cargo flights, the ISS's Canadarm2 grapples its [[Power Data Grapple Fixture|Flight-Releasable Grapple Fixture]] and berths Dragon to the station's [[US Orbital Segment]] using a [[Common Berthing Mechanism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/04/iss-robotic-arm-preparation-greet-spacexs-dragon/|title=ISS translates robotic assets in preparation to greet SpaceX’s Dragon|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=12 April 2012|publisher=NASASpaceflight.com|accessdate=15 April 2012}}</ref> The CRS Dragon does not have an independent means of maintaining a breathable atmosphere for astronauts and instead circulates in fresh air from the ISS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20110014250_2011013540.pdf|title=SpaceX Dragon Air Circulation System|authors=Brenda J. Hernandez, Siarhei Piatrovich, Mauro Prina|year=2011|publisher=SpaceX / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics|accessdate=15 April 2012|format=PDF}}</ref> For typical missions, Dragon is planned to remain berthed to the ISS for about 30 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/483771main_Space_Ops_Committee_Report_July_2010.pdf|title=NASA Advisory Council Space Operations Committee|date=July 2010|publisher=NASA|accessdate=15 April 2012|format=PDF}}</ref>

The CRS Dragon's capsule can transport {{convert|3310|kg|abbr=on}} of cargo, which can be all pressurized, all unpressurized or anywhere in between. It can return to Earth {{convert|3310|kg|abbr=on}}, which can be all unpressurized disposal mass or up to 2,500&nbsp;kg of return pressurized cargo, driven by parachute limitations. There is a volume constraint of {{convert|14|m3|abbr=on}} trunk unpressurized cargo and {{convert|11.2|m3|abbr=on}} of pressurized cargo (up or down).<ref name=ISS-1/> The trunk was first used operationally on the Dragon's [[SpaceX CRS-2|CRS-2]] mission in March 2013.<ref name="nsf20121019">{{cite web |last=Bergin|first=Chris |title=Dragon enjoying ISS stay, despite minor issues – Falcon 9 investigation begins |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/10/dragon-iss-stay-minor-issues-falcon-9-investigation/ |accessdate=21 October 2012 |publisher=NASASpaceflight.com |date=19 October 2012 |quote=''CRS-2 will debut the use of Dragon’s Trunk section, capable of delivering unpressurized cargo, prior to the payload being removed by the ISS’ robotic assets after berthing.''}}</ref> Its solar arrays produce a peak power of 4&nbsp;kW.<ref name=FAA2012/>

The CRS Dragon design was modified beginning with the fifth Dragon flight on the [[SpaceX CRS-3]] mission to the ISS in March 2014. While the [[outer mold line]] of the Dragon was unchanged, the avionics and cargo racks were redesigned in order to supply substantially more [[Solar panels on spacecraft|electrical power]] to powered cargo devices, including the [[GLACIER freezer module|GLACIER]] and [[MERLIN freezer module|MERLIN]] freezer modules for [[space transport|transporting]] critical science payloads.<ref name=tss20140321a>
{{cite AV media |people=Gwynne Shotwell |date=2014-03-21 |title=Broadcast 2212: Special Edition, interview with Gwynne Shotwell |medium=audio file |language=en |url=http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/2212-BWB-2014-03-21.mp3 |accessdate=2014-03-22 |archiveurl=http://www.thespaceshow.com/detail.asp?q=2212<!-- link to the description page on the TSS website with a link to listen to the episode --> |archivedate=2014-03-22 |format=mp3 |time=18:35–19:10 |publisher=The Space Show |id=2212 |quote=''looks the same on the outside ... new avionics system, new software, and new cargo racking system'' }}</ref>

[[File:Dragon CRS-01.jpg|thumb|Dragon CRS 3 views]]
[[File:Dragon CRS-02.jpg|thumb|Dragon CRS 3 views]]
[[File:Dragon CRS Isometric.jpg|thumb|Dragon CRS Isometric view]]

===DragonLab===
When used for non-NASA, non-ISS commercial flights, the uncrewed version of the Dragon spacecraft is called DragonLab.<ref name=overview/> It is reusable, free-flying, and capable of carrying both pressurized and unpressurized payloads. Its subsystems include propulsion, power, [[Environmental Control and Life Support System|thermal and environmental control]]<!-- ECLSS is needed even for the cargo version to support biological experiments in the pressurized section of the spacecraft -->, [[avionics]], communications, [[thermal protection]], flight software, [[Guidance, Navigation and Control|guidance and navigation systems]], and entry, descent, landing, and recovery gear.<ref name="sx20090918">{{cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/downloads/dragonlab-datasheet.pdf |title=DragonLab datasheet |date=8 September 2009 |accessdate=19 October 2010 |publisher=SpaceX |location=Hawthorne, California |format=PDF}}</ref> It has a total combined [[upmass]] of {{convert|6000|kg}} upon launch, and a maximum [[downmass]] of {{convert|3000|kg}} when returning to Earth.<ref name="sx20090918" /> {{asof|2014|4}}, there are two DragonLab missions listed on the SpaceX launch manifest: one in 2016 and another in 2018.<ref name="sxManifest20130804">{{cite web |title=Launch Manifest |url=http://www.spacex.com/launch_manifest.php |date=3 November 2012 |publisher=SpaceX |accessdate=3 November 2012 }}</ref> The same two missions were listed on the SpaceX manifest in November 2011.<ref name="sxManifest20111125">{{cite web|title=Launch Manifest |url=http://www.spacex.com/launch_manifest.php|location=Hawthorne, California|year=2011|archivedate=18 December 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/641IzNvc9 |publisher=SpaceX |accessdate=25 November 2011}}</ref> The Russian [[Bion (satellite)|Bion satellites]] and the American [[Biosatellite program|Biosatellites]] once performed similar uncrewed payload-delivery functions.

===Dragon V2===
[[File:Dragon_V2.jpg|thumb|right|The Dragon V2 stands on a stage inside SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, Calif., prior to its unveiling. ]]The version 2 Dragon spacecraft will be capable of land touchdowns.<ref name=tss20140321b>
{{cite AV media |people=Gwynne Shotwell |date=2014-03-21 |title=Broadcast 2212: Special Edition, interview with Gwynne Shotwell |medium=audio file |language=en |url=http://archived.thespaceshow.com/shows/2212-BWB-2014-03-21.mp3 |accessdate=2014-03-22 |archiveurl=http://www.thespaceshow.com/detail.asp?q=2212<!-- link to the description page on the TSS website with a link to listen to the episode --> |archivedate=2014-03-22 |format=mp3 |time=24:05–24:45 and 28:15–28:35 |publisher=The Space Show |id=2212 |quote=''we call it v2 for Dragon. That is the primary vehicle for crew, and we will retrofit it back to cargo.'' }}</ref>
It will include side-mounted [[Reaction control system|thruster pods]] as well as much larger windows, and landing legs which extend from the bottom of the spacecraft.

The Dragon V2 spacecraft was unveiled on May 29, 2014—after originally being expected to be unveiled in 2013<ref name="sdc20130328">{{cite news |last=Kramer|first=Miriam |title=SpaceX's Dragon Capsule 2.0 Looks Like 'Alien Spaceship,' Elon Musk Says |url=http://www.space.com/20427-spacex-dragon-spacecraft-alien-spaceship.html |accessdate=2013-03-30 |newspaper=Space.com |date=2013-03-28}}</ref>
—a crew-carrying variant of Dragon that varies considerably from the [[Space logistics|cargo-carrying]] Dragon that has been flying to the International Space Station in 2010–2014. Dragon V2 could make its first flight as early as late 2015, with its first flight with people as early as 2016. A launch pad abort test of Dragon V2 is planned for 2014.<ref name=aw20140530>
{{cite news |last=Norris|first=Guy |title=SpaceX Unveils ‘Step Change’ Dragon ‘V2’ |url=http://aviationweek.com/space/spacex-unveils-step-change-dragon-v2|accessdate=2014-05-30 |newspaper=Aviation Week |date=2014-05-30 }}</ref><ref name=sdc20140529>
{{cite news |last=Kramer|first=Miriam |title=SpaceX Unveils Dragon V2 Spaceship, a Manned Space Taxi for Astronauts — Meet Dragon V2: SpaceX's Manned Space Taxi for Astronaut Trips |url=http://www.space.com/26063-spacex-unveils-dragon-v2-manned-spaceship.html |accessdate=2014-05-30 |newspaper=space.com |date=2014-05-30 }}</ref><ref name=nsf20140530>
{{cite news |last=Bergin|first=Chris |title=SpaceX lifts the lid on the Dragon V2 crew spacecraft |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/05/spacex-lifts-the-lid-dragon-v2-crew-spacecraft/ |accessdate=2014-05030 |newspaper=NASAspaceflight.com |date=2014-05-30 }}</ref>
The dates for the first orbital flights of Dragon V2 are highly dependent on decisions that the [[United States Congress|US Congress]] and NASA have yet to make, including at what pace the US would like to resume crew-carrying spaceflight responsibilities from the Russian Soyuz approach that has been used since 2011.<ref name=nsf20140530/>

Dragon V2 includes the following features:<ref name=aw20140530/><ref name=sdc20140529/>
* fully reusable; [[SpaceX space shuttle|capable of being flown multiple times]], resulting in a significant reduction in the cost of access to space. SpaceX anticipates on the order of ten flights are possible before significant refurbishment of the space vehicle would be required.
* capable of carrying seven astronauts
* supports both propulsive-landing "almost anywhere in the world" with the accuracy of a helicopter, plus a backup parachute-enabled landing capability
* eight side-mounted [[SuperDraco]] engines, clustered in redundant pairs in four engine pods, with each engine capable of producing {{convert|16000|lbf|kN|disp=flip}} of thrust<!-- both sources (<ref name=aw20140530/><ref name=sdc20140529/>) now spell SuperDraco as one word, rather than as two words we see in many sources prior to May 2014 -->
* capable of [[Autonomous robot|autonomous]] [[Docking and berthing of spacecraft|docking]] to [[space station]]s. Dragon V1 utilized berthing, a non-autonomous method of attachment to the ISS that was completed by use of the [[Canadarm]] robotic arm.
* pilot capability to park the spacecraft using manual controls if necessary
* four extensible [[Landing gear (spacecraft)|landing legs]]
* the first fully [[3D printing|printed]] engine, the SuperDraco. Engine [[3D-printed rocket engine|combustion chamber is printed]] of [[Inconel]], an alloy of nickel and iron, using a process of [[direct metal laser sintering]]. Engines are contained in a protective nacelle to prevent fault propagation in the event of an engine failure.
* [[Composite material|composite]]-[[Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer|carbon]]-overwrap titanium spherical tanks for holding the helium used for engine pressurization and also for the SuperDraco fuel and oxidizer
* updated third-generation [[PICA-X]] [[thermal protection system|heat shield]]
* tablet-like computer that swivels down for optional crew control by the pilot and co-pilot
* tan leather seats
* a reusable nose cone which can pivot on a hinge to enable in-space docking, while returning to the covered position for reentry and future launches<ref name=nsf20140530/>

SpaceX is competing for a contract with NASA to deliver some number of specific crew-transport missions to the ISS under the [[Commercial Crew Development|third phase of the Commercial Crew Development]] program. However, Musk said that "SpaceX will attempt to continue development of the enhanced Dragon even if it loses the contest for the NASA contract."<ref name=aw20140530/>

According to Elon Musk in a question and answer conference at the May 29th unveiling of the Dragon V2, Dragon V1 will be used in tandem with Dragon V2 as a cargo ferry for coming years.

====Dragon V2 development history====
[[File:DragonRiderMockup.jpg|thumb|right|2012 DragonRider mockup, showing the [[Launch Escape System|LES]] engines mounted on the outside of the capsule, when the design was not yet final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.transterrestrial.com/?p=42981|title=Elon And Charlie|last=Simberg|first=Rand|date=14 June 2012|publisher=Transterrestrial Musings |accessdate=16 June 2012}}</ref>]]
The crewed variant of Dragon was initially called ''DragonRider''. It was intended from the beginning to support a crew of seven or a combination of crew and cargo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-04/qa-former-astronaut-and-spacex-engineer-garrett-reisman-building-worlds-safest-spacecraft|title=Q+A: SpaceX Engineer Garrett Reisman on Building the World's Safest Spacecraft|date=13 April 2012|publisher=PopSci|quote=DragonRider, SpaceX's crew-capable variant of its Dragon capsule|accessdate=15 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20111020|title=SpaceX Completes Key Milestone to Fly Astronauts to International Space Station|date=20 October 2011|publisher=SpaceX|accessdate=9 May 2012}}</ref> It was planned to be able to perform fully autonomous rendezvous and docking with manual override capability; and was designed to use the [[NASA Docking System]] (NDS) to dock to the ISS.<ref name=overview/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dockingstandard.nasa.gov/Documents/AIAA_ATS_NDS-IDSS_Overview_Draft1.pdf|title=Overview of the NASA Docking System and the International Docking System Standard|last=Parma|first=George|date=20 March 2011|publisher=NASA|quote=iLIDS was later renamed the NASA Docking System (NDS), and will be NASA’s implementation of an IDSS compatible docking system for all future US vehicles|accessdate=30 March 2012|format=PDF}}</ref> For typical missions, DragonRider would remain docked to the ISS for a period of 180 days, but would be designed to be able to do so for 210 days, the same as the Russian [[Soyuz (spacecraft)|Soyuz spacecraft]].<ref name="nasa20110726">{{cite web |url=http://commercialcrew.nasa.gov/document_file_get.cfm?docid=107 |title=Commercial Crew Program: Key Driving Requirements Walkthrough |last=Bayt |first=Rob |date=26 July 2011 |publisher=NASA |accessdate=27 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17815821/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/space-station-trip-will-push-envelope/|title=Space station trip will push the envelope|last=Oberg|first=Jim|date=28 March 2007|publisher=MSNBC|accessdate=9 May 2012}}</ref><ref name="nasa20120509">{{cite web|url=http://oiir.hq.nasa.gov/asap/documents/responses/nasa/2012-05-09_NASA_Response.pdf|title=2012-05-09_NASA_Response|last=Bolden|first=Charles|date=9 May 2012|publisher=NASA|accessdate=20 June 2012|format=PDF}}</ref> From the earliest design concepts which were publicly released in 2010, SpaceX planned to use an integrated pusher [[launch escape system]] for the Dragon spacecraft, claiming several advantages over the tractor detachable tower approach used on most prior crewed spacecraft.<ref>With the exception of the [[Project Gemini]] spacecraft, which used twin ejection seats: [http://www.astronautix.com/craft/gemction.htm "Encyclopedia Astronautica: Gemini Ejection"]. Astronautix.com. Retrieved 24 January 2013.</ref><ref name="Space CCDEV R2 20110418">{{cite news|last=Chow|first=Denise|title=Private Spaceship Builders Split Nearly $270 Million in NASA Funds|url=http://www.space.com/11421-nasa-private-spaceship-funding-astronauts.html|accessdate=18 December 2011|publisher=Space.com|date=18 April 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6415KG6df|archivedate=18 December 2011|location=New York}}</ref><ref name="cl20101213">[http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/12/13/5645709-spaceship-teams-seek-more-funding "Spaceship teams seek more funding"]. MSNBC Cosmic Log. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.</ref> These advantages include the provision for crew escape all the way to orbit, reusability of the escape system, improved crew safety due to the elimination of a stage separation, and the ability to use the escape engines during the landing phase for a precise solid earth landing of the Dragon capsule.<ref name="sxu20110117">{{cite web |title=SpaceX Updates – Taking the next step: Commercial Crew Development Round 2 |url=http://www.spacex.com/updates.php |publisher=SpaceX|date=17 January 2010 |accessdate=17 January 2011}}</ref> An emergency [[parachute]] will be retained as a redundant backup for water landings.<ref name="sxu20110117"/>

{{asof|2011}}, the [[Paragon Space Development Corporation]] was assisting in the development of DragonRider's [[life support system]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paragonsdc.com/press_paragon-joins-spacex.php|title=In the news Paragon Space Development Corporation Joins SpaceX Commercial Crew Development Team|date=16 June 2011|publisher=Paragon Space Development Corporation |accessdate=15 April 2012}}</ref> In 2012, SpaceX was in talks with Orbital Outfitters regarding the development of a [[Space suit|spacesuit]] that would be worn during launch and re-entry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-10/deep-space-suit|title=The Deep-Space Suit |last=Sofge|first=Eric|date=19 November 2012|publisher=PopSci|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref>

At a NASA news conference on 18 May 2012, SpaceX confirmed again that their target launch price for crewed Dragon flights is $140,000,000, or $20,000,000 per seat if the maximum crew of 7 is aboard, and if NASA orders at least four DragonRider flights per year.<ref name=bn201405>
{{cite av media |title=Star Wars: The Battle to Build the Next Shuttle: Boeing, SpaceX and Sierra Nevada |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/video/popout/GYBY6msZSKqUp41iUWoAFA/0/ |accessdate=2014-05-06 |newspaper=Bloomberg News |date=2014-05 |time=2:05 }}</ref> This contrasts with the 2014 Soyuz launch price of $76,000,000 per seat for NASA astronauts.<ref name="nasa0518">{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/sci-tech/space/spacex-scrubs-launch-iss-over-rocket-engine-problem-933|title=SpaceX scrubs launch to ISS over rocket engine problem|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=19 May 2012|accessdate=23 May 2012}}</ref>

==List of Dragon missions==
''List includes only completed or currently manifested missions. All NASA CRS missions are currently scheduled to launch from [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 40|Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40]]. Launch dates are listed in [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]].''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Mission name
! Launch date (UTC)
! Remarks
! Outcome
|-
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| [[SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 1|SpX-C1]] (COTS 1)
| 8 December 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/offices/c3po/home/spacexfeature.html|title=SpaceX Launches Success with Falcon 9/Dragon Flight|date=9 December 2010|publisher=NASA|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref>
| First Dragon mission, second Falcon 9 launch
| Success<ref name=FirstFlight2010/>
|-
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| [[Dragon C2+|SpX-C2+]] (COTS 2)
| 22 May 2012<ref name="LaunchAtLast">{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/15805-spacex-private-capsule-launches-space-station.html|title=SpaceX Launches Private Capsule on Historic Trip to Space Station|publisher=Space.com|date=22 May 2012}}</ref>
| First Dragon mission with complete spacecraft, first rendezvous mission, first berthing with ISS
| Success<ref name=Accomplished/>
|-
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| [[SpaceX CRS-1]]
| 8 October 2012<ref name="oct8Launch">{{cite web|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/004/120831wdr/|title=Falcon 9 undergoes pad rehearsal for October launch|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=31 August 2012|accessdate=12 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="sepLaunch">{{cite web|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/|title=Worldwide Launch Schedule|date=7 September 2012|publisher=Spaceflight Now|accessdate=12 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="OctSeven">{{cite web|url=http://www.livescience.com/23444-spacex-dragon-space-station-cargo-mission.html|title=Private Spacecraft to Launch Space Station Cargo On Oct. 7|publisher=LiveScience|date=25 September 2012}}</ref>
| First Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission for NASA, first non-demo mission. Falcon 9 rocket suffered a partial engine failure during launch but was able to deliver Dragon into orbit.<ref name=InOrbitOctober2012/> However, a secondary payload did not reach its correct orbit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:04ce340e-4b63-4d23-9695-d49ab661f385&plckPostId=Blog%3A04ce340e-4b63-4d23-9695-d49ab661f385Post%3Afdf0d27c-fdf2-4efb-a71f-8272017dbfc3|title=Falcon 9 Drops Orbcomm Satellite in Wrong Orbit|work=[[Aviation Week]]|date=8 October 2012|accessdate=9 October 2012}}</ref>
| Mission success; launch anomaly<ref name="bbc20121028">{{cite news |publisher=BBC |date=28 October 2012 |accessdate=23 December 2012 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20118963 |title=SpaceX capsule returns with safe landing in Pacific}}</ref>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| [[SpaceX CRS-2]]
| 1 March 2013<ref name="Frightening2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/20035-spacex-dragon-glitch-elon-musk.html|title=Dragon Spacecraft Glitch Was 'Frightening,' SpaceX Chief Elon Musk Says|publisher=Space.com|date=1 March 2013|accessdate=2 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dragon Mission Report|publisher=Spaceflight Now|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/004/121114anomalies/|accessdate=15 November 2012}}</ref>
| First launch of Dragon using trunk section to carry cargo.<ref name=nsf20121019/> Launch was successful, but anomalies occurred with the spacecraft's thrusters shortly after liftoff. Thruster function was later restored and orbit corrections were made,<ref name=Frightening2013/> but the spacecraft's rendezvous with the ISS was delayed from its planned date of 2 March until 3 March, when it was successfully berthed with the [[Harmony (ISS module)|''Harmony'' module]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NASA says SpaceX Dragon is safe to dock with the International Space Station on Sunday|url=http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/2/4057394/nasa-clears-spacex-dragon-iss-dock|publisher=The Verge|date=2 March 2013|accessdate=2 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SpaceX hits snag; Dragon capsule won't dock with space station on schedule|url=http://www.clickorlando.com/news/SpaceX-hits-snag-Dragon-capsule-won-t-dock-with-space-station-on-schedule/-/1637132/19119852/-/2mcd1p/-/index.html|publisher=WKMG TV|date=1 March 2013|accessdate=1 March 2013}}</ref> Dragon splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean on 26 March.<ref>{{cite web|title=SpaceX Dragon cargo ship splashes into Pacific|url=http://www.boston.com/news/science/2013/03/26/spacex-dragon-cargo-ship-splashes-into-pacific/tm355lhjaaPX6zknTiOSNN/story.html|work=Boston Globe|date=26 March 2013|accessdate=28 March 2013}}</ref>
| Mission success; spacecraft anomaly<ref name=Frightening2013/>
|- style="background:#cfc;"
| [[SpaceX CRS-3]]
| 18 April 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/04/range-realigns-spacex-crs-3-april/ |title=Range Realigns – SpaceX CRS-3 mission targets April 14 |publisher= nasaspaceflight.com |date=2014-04-04 |accessdate=2014-04-04}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://new.livestream.com/spacex/events/2833937/statuses/48058415 |title=CRS-3 Update |publisher= http://new.livestream.com}}</ref>
| First launch of the redesigned Dragon: same [[outer mold line]] with the avionics and cargo racks redesigned in order to supply substantially more [[Solar panels on spacecraft|electrical power]] to powered cargo devices, including additional cargo [[GLACIER freezer module|freez]][[MERLIN freezer module|ers]] for transporting critical science payloads.<ref name=tss20140321a/> Rescheduled for the 18th due to a helium leak.
| Mission success<ref name="Launch">{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65zDaDSvIww|title=[SpaceX] Launch of SpaceX's Dragon CRS-3 Spacecraft on Falcon 9v1.1 Rocket |publisher=SpaceVids.tv|date=18 April 2014|accessdate=18 April 2014}}</ref>
<!--"Operational" means the spacecraft made orbit without incident. If it completes its mission without problems, this field can be changed to "Success"-->
|-
| DragonV2 abort test
| Spring 2014<ref>{{cite web|title=SpaceX progress on Dragon abort test and Raptor engine|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/spacex-press-abort-test-raptor-engine/|publisher=NasaSpaceFlight.com|accessdate=27 October 2013}}</ref>
| Pad abort test
|
|-
| [[SpaceX CRS-4]]
| 8 August 2014<ref name="nsw20130103">{{cite news |last=Lindsey|first=Clark |title=NewSpace flights in 2013 |url=http://www.newspacewatch.com/articles/newspace-flights-in-2013.html |accessdate=2013-01-03 |newspaper=NewSpace Watch |date=2013-01-04 |subscription=yes }}</ref><ref name="nasa20130404">{{cite web|title=NASA's Consolidated Launch Schedule |url=http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html |date=2013-04-04 |publisher=NASA |accessdate=2013-04-10 }}</ref><ref name="sxManifest20130104">{{cite web|title=SpaceX Launch Manifest |url=http://www.spacex.com/launch_manifest.php |publisher=SpaceX |accessdate=4 January 2013}}</ref>
|
|
|-
| DragonV2 abort test
| Summer 2014
| In-flight abort test; no earlier than April 2014<ref name=CCiCap20120724/>
|
|-
| [[SpaceX CRS-5]]
| 27 November 2014<ref name="feb2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.aiaa.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=7544|title=ISS Commercial Resupply Services|last=Lueder|first=Kathryn|date=16 February 2012|publisher=NASA|accessdate=29 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html |title= Worldwide launch schedule |accessdate=13 December 2013|work= spaceflightnow.com}}</ref><!--{{start-date|[Date & Time]|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC-->
|
|
|-
| [[SpaceX CRS-6]]
| 5 December 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflight101.com/iss-calendar.html |title=ISS Calendar |publisher=Spaceflight101 |accessdate=3 February 2014}}</ref>
| Hardware scheduled to arrive at launch site in 2014<ref name="SpXManifest20120411">{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/launch_manifest.php|title=SpaceX Launch Manifest |publisher=SpaceX|accessdate=11 April 2012}}</ref>
|
|-
| [[SpaceX CRS-7]]
| TBA
| Hardware scheduled to arrive at launch site in 2014<ref name=SpXManifest20120411/>
|
|-
| [[SpaceX CRS-8]]
| 2015<ref name=nsw20130117/>
| Hardware scheduled to arrive at launch site in 2015.<ref name=SpXManifest20120411/> {{asof|2013|01}}, will deliver the [[Bigelow Aerospace|Bigelow]] [[Bigelow Expandable Activity Module|BEAM]] module in the unpressurized cargo trunk.<ref name=nsw20130117>{{cite news |url=http://www.newspacewatch.com/articles/nasa-and-bigelow-release-details-of-expandable-module-for-iss.html |title=NASA and Bigelow release details of expandable module for ISS |work=NewSpace Watch |first=Clark |last=Lindsey |date=January 16, 2013 |accessdate=January 24, 2013 |subscription=yes}}</ref>
|
|-
| DragonV2 CC-1
| 2016<ref name=sxManifest20130804/>
|
|
|-
| SpaceX CRS-9
| TBA
| Hardware scheduled to arrive at launch site in 2015<ref name=SpXManifest20120411/>
|
|-
| SpaceX CRS-10
| TBA
| Hardware scheduled to arrive at launch site in 2015<ref name=SpXManifest20120411/>
|
|-
| SpaceX CRS-11
| TBA
| Hardware scheduled to arrive at launch site in 2015<ref name=SpXManifest20120411/>
|
|-
| SpaceX CRS-12
| TBA
| Hardware scheduled to arrive at launch site in 2015<ref name=SpXManifest20120411/>
|
|-
| DragonV2 CC-2
| 2018<ref name=sxManifest20130804/>
|
|}

==Specifications==
[[File:Size comparison of Apollo, Orion and Dragon spacecraft.svg|right|thumb|Size comparison of the [[Apollo Command/Service Module|Apollo]] (left), [[Orion capsule|Orion]] (center) and Dragon (right) capsules]]

===Uncrewed version===
The following specifications are published by SpaceX for the non-NASA, non-ISS commercial flights of the refurbished Dragon capsules, listed as "DragonLab" flights on the SpaceX manifest. The specifications for the NASA-contracted Dragon Cargo were not included in the 2009 DragonLab datasheet.<ref name="sx20090918" />

; Pressure vessel
* {{convert|10|m3|abbr=on}} interior pressurized, environmentally controlled, payload volume.<ref name="sx20090918" />
* Onboard environment: {{convert|10|-|46|C|F}}; [[relative humidity]] 25~75%; 13.9~14.9 [[Pounds per square inch#Psig v. Psia|psia]] air pressure (958.4~1027 [[Pascal (unit)|hPa]]).<ref name="sx20090918" />

; Unpressurized sensor bay (recoverable payload)
* 0.1&nbsp;m<sup>3</sup> (4 cu&nbsp;ft) unpressurized payload volume.
* Sensor bay hatch opens after orbital insertion to allow full sensor access to the [[Outer space|space environment]], and closes prior to [[Atmospheric entry|reentry to Earth's atmosphere]].<ref name="sx20090918" />

; Unpressurized trunk (non-recoverable)
* {{convert|14|m3|abbr=on}} payload volume in the {{convert|2.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} trunk, aft of the pressure vessel heat shield, with optional trunk extension to {{convert|4.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} total length, payload volume increases to {{convert|34|m3|abbr=on}}.<ref name="sx20090918" />
* Supports sensors and space apertures up to {{convert|3.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in diameter.<ref name="sx20090918" />

; Power, telemetry and command systems
* Power: twin [[solar panel]]s providing 1,500&nbsp;W average, 4,000&nbsp;W peak, at 28 and 120&nbsp;[[Volt|V<sub>DC</sub>]].<ref name="sx20090918" />
* Spacecraft communications: commercial standard [[RS-422]] and [[MIL-STD-1553|military standard 1553]] serial I/O, plus [[Ethernet]] communications for [[Internet protocol|IP]]-addressable standard payload service.
* Command [[uplink]]: 300&nbsp;k[[Bits per second|bps]].<ref name="sx20090918" />
* [[Telemetry]]/data [[downlink]]: 300&nbsp;Mbit/s standard, [[Fault-tolerant system|fault-tolerant]] [[S-band]] telemetry and video transmitters.<ref name="sx20090918" />

===Radiation tolerance===
Dragon uses a "radiation-tolerant" design in the electronic hardware and software that make up its [[:Category:Avionics computers|flight computer]]s. The system uses three pairs of computers, each constantly checking on the others, to instantiate a [[fault-tolerant design]]. In the event of a radiation upset or soft error, one of the computer pairs will perform a [[soft reboot]].<ref name="aw20121118">{{cite news |last=Svitak|first=Amy |title=Dragon's "Radiation-Tolerant" Design |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog%3a04ce340e-4b63-4d23-9695-d49ab661f385&plckPostId=Blog%3a04ce340e-4b63-4d23-9695-d49ab661f385Post%3aa8b87703-93f9-4cdf-885f-9429605e14df |accessdate=2012-11-22 |newspaper=Aviation Week |date=2012-11-18 }}</ref>
Including the six computers that make up the main flight computers, Dragon employs a total of 18 triple-processor computers.<ref name=aw20121118/>

==See also==
*[[Comparison of space station cargo vehicles]]
*[[List of human spaceflight programs]]
*[[Space Shuttle retirement#Current and future Space Shuttle successors|Space Shuttle successors]]

;Comparable vehicles
*[[Automated Transfer Vehicle]] – a single-use, expendable cargo vehicle currently in use by the [[European Space Agency|ESA]]
*[[Blue Origin#Orbital spacecraft|Blue Origin orbital spacecraft]] – an American private [[biconic]] [[nose cone design]] vehicle
*[[CST-100]] – a spacecraft being developed by [[Boeing]], in collaboration with [[Bigelow Aerospace]]
*[[Cygnus spacecraft]] – a single-use, expendable cargo vehicle under development by [[Orbital Sciences Corporation]]
*[[Dream Chaser (spacecraft)|Dream Chaser]] – a [[spaceplane]] being developed by [[Sierra Nevada Corporation]]
*[[H-II Transfer Vehicle]] – an expendable cargo vehicle currently in use by [[Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency|JAXA]]
*[[Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle|Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle]] – a beyond-low-Earth-orbit spacecraft being developed by [[Lockheed Martin]] for NASA
*[[Progress (spacecraft)|Progress spacecraft]] – an expendable cargo vehicle currently in use by the [[Russian Federal Space Agency]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Dragon (spacecraft)}}
* [http://www.spacex.com/dragon Dragon Spacecraft overview on SpaceX official website]
* [http://procurement.ksc.nasa.gov/documents/NNK11MS04S_SAA-SpaceX.pdf SpaceX CCDev2 Agreement with NASA]
* [http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/document_library.html SpaceX CCDev2 bi-monthly progress reports]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwDCWTqNceQ Dragon cargo delivery to ISS (COTS 2 highlight reel)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZJk4CrxctQ Dragon crew transport to ISS (CG rendering)]
* [http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/05/30/dragon_v2_the_spacex_next_generation_space_capsule.html SpaceX Reveals Its New Dragon Space Capsule] (2014-05-30), ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]''


{{Dragon spaceflights}}
{{Dragon spaceflights}}
{{SpaceX}}
{{SpaceX}}
{{Supply spacecraft}}
{{Cargo spacecraft}}
{{Falcon rocket launches}}
{{ISS modules}}
{{ISS modules}}
{{space tourism}}


{{Set index article}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dragon (Spacecraft)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dragon (spacecraft)}}
[[Category:SpaceX Dragon| ]]
[[Category:SpaceX spacecraft|Dragon]]
[[Category:Cargo spacecraft]]
[[Category:Supply vehicles for the International Space Station|Dragon]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2010]]
[[Category:Commercial spaceflight]]
[[Category:Commercial spaceflight]]
[[Category:SpaceX]]
[[Category:Reusable spacecraft]]
[[Category:Supply vehicles for the International Space Station]]
[[Category:2012 introductions]]
[[Category:Dragon (spacecraft)| ]]

Latest revision as of 02:54, 17 December 2024

Dragon 1 C112 approaching the ISS

Dragon is a family of spacecraft developed and produced by American private space transportation company SpaceX.

The first variant, later named Dragon 1, flew 23 cargo missions to the International Space Station (ISS) between 2010 and 2020 before retiring. Design of this version, not designed to carry astronauts, was funded by NASA with $396 million awarded through the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program and contracted to ferry cargo under the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program.

An improved version, the Dragon 2, was introduced in 2019 and has both crewed and cargo versions. The first un-crewed flight test (Demo-1) took place in March 2019, followed by a crewed flight test (Demo-2) in May 2020. Since those flight tests, the Crew Dragon has become one of the primary spacecraft ferrying crew to and from the ISS. While the Cargo Dragon continues to carry cargo under the CRS program.

SpaceX has also proposed versions named Red Dragon for Mars exploration and Dragon XL to provide Gateway Logistics Services to the Lunar Gateway.

Name

[edit]

SpaceX's CEO, Elon Musk, named the spacecraft after the 1963 song "Puff, the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul and Mary, reportedly as a response to critics who considered his spaceflight projects impossible.[1] Early on, it had been named Magic Dragon, and t-shirts had been printed with this name.[2] As late as September 2012, SpaceX board member Steve Jurvetson was still referring to it as "The Magic Dragon, Puffed to the sea."[3] That was his caption to a photo of the capsule several months after it had completed its COTS 2 demo flight where the spacecraft had accomplished its first docking with the ISS. This song, ostensibly composed for children, had long been associated with perceived references to smoking marijuana. In 2008, Elon Musk confirmed that the association between the song and marijuana was the reason behind the name Dragon, saying that "so many people thought I [must be] smoking weed to do this venture."[4]

Dragon 1

[edit]
Main article: SpaceX Dragon 1

Dragon 1 was the original Dragon iteration, providing cargo service to the ISS. It flew 23 missions between 2010 and 2020, when it was retired. On 25 May 2012, NASA astronaut Don Pettit operated the Canadarm2 to grapple the first SpaceX Dragon and berth it to the Harmony module. This marked the first time a private spacecraft had ever rendezvoused with the ISS. The Dragon capsule was carrying supplies for the ISS, and the successful capture demonstrated the feasibility of using privately developed spacecraft to resupply the station. Pettit was also the first to enter the uncrewed supply ship on May 26, making him the first astronaut in the history of space exploration to successfully enter a commercially-built and operated spacecraft in orbit. During the capture, he was quoted saying, "Houston, Station, we've got us a dragon by the tail."

Dragon 2

[edit]
Crew Dragon Endurance docked to the ISS
Main article: SpaceX Dragon 2

An improved version, the Dragon 2, was introduced in 2019 and has two versions: Crew Dragon and Cargo Dragon. The first un-crewed flight test (Demo-1) took place in March 2019, followed by a crewed flight test (Demo-2) in May 2020.

The Crew Dragon is one of the primary spacecraft ferrying crew members to and from the ISS and on private missions. The Cargo Dragon carries cargo to the ISS under the CRS program.

Red Dragon

[edit]
Main article: SpaceX Red Dragon

Red Dragon was a cancelled version of the Dragon spacecraft that had been previously proposed to fly farther than Earth orbit and transit to Mars via interplanetary space. In addition to SpaceX's own privately funded plans for an eventual Mars mission, NASA Ames Research Center had developed a concept called Red Dragon. Red Dragon was to be a low-cost Mars mission that would use Falcon Heavy as the launch vehicle and trans-Martian injection vehicle, and the SpaceX Dragon 2-based capsule to enter the atmosphere of Mars. The concept was originally envisioned for launch in 2018 as a NASA Discovery mission, then alternatively for 2022, but was never formally submitted for funding within NASA.[5] The mission would have been designed to return samples from Mars to Earth at a fraction of the cost of NASA's own sample-return mission, which was projected in 2015 to cost US$6 billion.[5]

On 27 April 2016, SpaceX announced its plan to go ahead and launch a modified Dragon lander to Mars in 2018.[6][7] However, Musk cancelled the Red Dragon program in July 2017 to focus on developing the Starship system instead.[8][9] The modified Red Dragon capsule would have performed all entry, descent and landing (EDL) functions needed to deliver payloads of 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) or more to the Martian surface without using a parachute. Preliminary analysis showed that the capsule's atmospheric drag would slow it enough for the final stage of its descent to be within the abilities of its SuperDraco retro-propulsion thrusters.[10][11]

Dragon XL

[edit]
Rendering of the proposed SpaceX Dragon XL

On 27 March 2020, SpaceX revealed the Dragon XL resupply spacecraft to carry pressurized and unpressurized cargo, experiments and other supplies to NASA's planned Lunar Gateway under a Gateway Logistics Services (GLS) contract.[12][13] The equipment delivered by Dragon XL missions could include sample collection materials, spacesuits and other items astronauts may need on the Gateway and on the surface of the Moon, according to NASA. It will launch on SpaceX Falcon Heavy rockets from LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.[14]

The Dragon XL will stay at the Gateway for 6 to 12 months at a time, when research payloads inside and outside the cargo vessel could be operated remotely, even when crews are not present.[14] Its payload capacity is expected to be more than 5,000 kilograms (11,000 lb) to lunar orbit.[15] There is no requirement for a return to Earth. At the end of the mission the Dragon XL must be able to undock and dispose of the same mass it can bring to the Gateway, by moving the spacecraft to a heliocentric orbit.[16]

On 22 February 2023, NASA discussed the Dragon XL's development for the first time since its 2020 unveiling, with Mark Wiese, NASA's manager of deep space logistics for the Gateway program, answering during a panel at SpaceCom that NASA has been working with SpaceX to run a series of studies to refine the Dragon XL design and examine cargo configurations and other capabilities that could be enabled by the spacecraft.[17] Wiese also elaborated that Dragon XL would be used for initial missions, and stating that "[NASA] talked to [SpaceX] about Starship evolution and how it all worked together, but we’re not there yet because it's still in a development phase" insinuating that Starship will eventually replace Dragon XL once it completes development.[17]

On 29 March 2024, NASA released an article outlining the mission of Artemis IV, which is to be the first crewed mission to the Lunar Gateway slated for 2028, stating that the Dragon XL will be used to resupply and carry science experiments, however, Artemis IV will take place concurrently with a Starship launch which will dock at the Gateway and help with the assembly of the station.[18]

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SpaceX Dragon.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "5 Fun Facts About Private Rocket Company SpaceX". Space.com. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  2. ^ Tom Markusic, founder of Firefly Aerospace, explains the name of the Dragon spacecraft during his early days working at Space X (YouTube video of Nov 14, 2022 lecture at the University of Texas at Austin, Aerospace Engineering Department, published Nov 17, 2022)
  3. ^ Jurvetson, Steve (7 September 2012). "The Magic Dragon". Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  4. ^ Elon Musk, CEO and CTO, Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) explains how he picked the names 'Falcon' and 'Dragon', Google Zeitgeist'08 talk "10 Years In / 10 Years Out", September 18, 2008 (YouTube, published on Sep 22, 2008)
  5. ^ a b Wall, Mike (10 September 2015). ""Red Dragon" Mars Sample-Return Mission Could Launch by 2022". Space.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  6. ^ @SpaceX (27 April 2016). "Planning to send Dragon to Mars as soon as 2018. Red Dragons will inform overall Mars architecture, details to come" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Newmann, Dava (27 April 2016). "Exploring Together". blogs.nasa.gov. Archived from the original on 1 May 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ Berger, Eric (19 July 2017). "SpaceX appears to have pulled the plug on its Red Dragon plans". arstechnica.com. Archived from the original on 21 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  9. ^ Grush, Loren (19 July 2017). "Elon Musk suggests SpaceX is scrapping its plans to land Dragon capsules on Mars". The Verge. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  10. ^ Wall, Mike (31 July 2011). ""Red Dragon" Mission Mulled as Cheap Search for Mars Life". Space.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  11. ^ "NASA ADVISORY COUNCIL (NAC) – Science Committee Report" (PDF). NASA Ames Research Center. 1 November 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2012. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. ^ Potter, Sean (27 March 2020). "NASA Awards Artemis Contract for Gateway Logistics Services". NASA. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  13. ^ Foust, Jeff (27 March 2020). "SpaceX wins NASA commercial cargo contract for lunar Gateway". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  14. ^ a b Clark, Stephen. "NASA picks SpaceX to deliver cargo to Gateway station in lunar orbit". Spaceflight Now. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  15. ^ "Dragon XL revealed as NASA ties SpaceX to Lunar Gateway supply contract". 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  16. ^ "NASA delays starting contract with SpaceX for Gateway cargo services". 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  17. ^ a b Foust, Jeff (24 February 2023). "NASA plans to start work this year on first Gateway logistics mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  18. ^ Hambleton, Kathryn; Williams, Catherine E. (29 March 2024). "NASA's Artemis IV: Building First Lunar Space Station". NASA. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
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