SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft

The Dragon is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft developed by SpaceX, a private space transportation company based in Hawthorne, California, under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.

View from the International Space Station of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as the station's robotic arm moves Dragon into place for attachment to the station. May 25, 2012. Photo: NASA

Dragon became the first commercially-built and operated spacecraft to be recovered successfully from orbit.It was launched on 22 May 2012 from Florida  and on 25 May 2012, an uncrewed variant of Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS) and now it has come down to Earth on 2 June 2012 successfully.The capsule was loaded with 1,100 pounds of food, water, clothing and equipment for ISS. 

Dragon Highlights:

1. Fully autonomous rendezvous and docking with manual override capability 

    in crewed configuration.

2.  6,000 kg (13,228 lbs) payload up-mass to LEO; 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs)    

    payload down-mass.

3. Payload Volume: 10 m3 (350 ft3) pressurized, 14 m3  (490 ft3)    

    unpressurized.

4. Dragon is 4.4 meters (14.4 feet) tall and 3.66 meters (12 feet) in diameter.

5. The trunk is 2.8 meters (9.2 feet) tall and 3.66 meters (12 feet) wide. With 

    the solar panels fully extended, the vehicle measures 16.5 meters (54 feet)    

    wide.

6. Supports up to 7 passengers in Crew configuration.

Dragon spacecraft approaches the International Space Station on May 25, 2012 for grapple and berthing . Photo:NASA

Transporting Crew and Cargo:

To ensure the rapid and secure transportation of Crew and Cargo to ISS, dragon has the same configuration with the exception of the crew escape system, life support system and on board control that allows crew to take control of capsule when needed.For cargo launches the inside of the spacecraft is outfitted with a modular cargo rack system designed to accommodate pressurized cargo in standard sizes and form factors.For crewed launches, the interior is outfitted with crew couches, controls with manual override capability and upgraded life-support.   

Re-Entry:

1. Designed for water landing under parachute for ocean recovery.

2. Designed for lift during reentry for precise landing and low g-forces.

    European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers inside the Dragon spacecraft. Photo: NASA