Dragon

SENDING HUMANS AND CARGO INTO SPACE

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Total Launches

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Total Landings

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Total Reflights

The Dragon spacecraft is capable of carrying up to 7 passengers to and from Earth orbit, and beyond. It is the only spacecraft currently flying that is capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to Earth, and is the first private spacecraft to take humans to the space station.

DRAGON

OVERVIEW

HEIGHT

8.1 m

/ 26.7 ft

DIAMETER

4 m

/ 13 ft

CAPSULE VOLUME

9.3 m3

/ 328 ft3

TRUNK VOLUME

37 m3

/ 1300 ft3

LAUNCH PAYLOAD MASS

6,000 kg

/ 13,228 lbs

RETURN PAYLOAD MASS

3,000 kg

/ 6,614 lbs

DRAGON

TRUNK

Dragon’s trunk not only carries unpressurized cargo but also supports the spacecraft during ascent. One half of the trunk is covered in solar panels that provide power to Dragon during flight and while on-station. The trunk remains attached to Dragon until shortly before reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.

VOLUME

37 m3

/ 1300 ft3

DRAGON

CAPSULE

OVERVIEW
LAUNCH ABORT
ATTITUDE CONTROL

The Dragon capsule, also known as the pressurized section, allows for the transport of people as well as environmentally sensitive cargo. Dragon is equipped with Draco thrusters that allow Dragon to maneuver while on orbit and 8 SuperDracos that power the spacecraft’s launch escape system.

VOLUME

9.3 m3

/ 328 ft3

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VIDEO

CREW DRAGON INTERIOR

TAKING HUMANS TO SPACE

In 2020, SpaceX returned America’s ability to fly NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station on American vehicles for the first time since 2011. In addition to flying astronauts to space for NASA, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft can also carry commercial astronauts to Earth orbit, the ISS or beyond.

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ENGINES

DRACO

DRACO
SUPERDRACO

The Dragon spacecraft is equipped with 16 Draco thrusters used to orient the spacecraft during the mission, including apogee/perigee maneuvers, orbit adjustment and attitude control. Each Draco thruster is capable of generating 90 pounds of force in the vacuum of space.

NUMBER OF ENGINES

16

THRUST IN VACUUM

400 N

/ 90 lbf

DRAGON PARACHUTE SYSTEM

The Dragon spacecraft is equipped with two drogue parachutes to stabilize the spacecraft following reentry and four main parachutes to further decelerate the spacecraft prior to landing.

Watch Video
Picture
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Dragon is seen against the Earth's atmosphere

Dragon on pad at Launch Complex 39A

Dragon and Falcon 9 ready for launch at Launch Complex 39A

Dragon approaching the International Space Station

CRS-22 approaching the International Space Station

Dragon is seen against the Earth's atmosphere

Dragon on pad at Launch Complex 39A