Synopsis
- Dragon is a spacecraft developed by SpaceX starting in 2004 to carry cargo (Cargo Dragon) and later crew (Crew Dragon) to low Earth orbit.
- It was the first commercial spacecraft to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
- Dragon is launched into space on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets. It returns to Earth by parachuting and splashing down in the ocean.
Dragon Variants
- Dragon 1 (Cargo Dragon): The original cargo version that flew supplies to the ISS between 2010-2020 before retiring. Not designed for crew.
- Dragon 2: New version designed for crew and cargo, developed starting 2014. Has a crew variant (Crew Dragon) and cargo variant (Cargo Dragon 2).
Key Features and Specs
- Can carry up to 7 crew members or 6,000 kg of cargo pressurized, 14 m^3 unpressurized
- Equipped with Draco thrusters for maneuvering and SuperDraco thrusters for launch abort
- Docking system, solar arrays, communications systems, environmental control
- Reusable heat shield made of PICA-X material that can withstand 1600°C
Flights
- Over 20 cargo flights of Dragon 1 between 2012-2020 before retirement
- Crew Dragon entered service in 2020, first operational crew flight in late 2020
- As of late 2022, 5 crewed flights and several cargo flights of Dragon 2 completed
Production
- Per March 2022 reports, SpaceX ended production of new Crew Dragon capsules after building 4, to focus on the next-generation Starship program
