Dragon

Sending Humans and Cargo Into Space

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
SPACECRAFT 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

SPACECRAFT

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The Dragon spacecraft, 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

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

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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.

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