Dragon (spacecraft)
Dragon is a spacecraft of the U.S. company SpaceX, which is started with a Falcon 9 rocket. The current Dragon capsule is suitable only for the transport of freight. Later are also up to seven people to the International Space Station (ISS) may be carried. In the pressurized part of the capsule are 10 cubic meter volume of more than 3000 kg payload available. During the re-entry and splashdown an ablative heat shield and parachutes are used. The first launch of an unmanned Dragon capsule was carried out on December 8, 2010.
Construction
The capsule weighs eight tons, is 5.3 m high and has a maximum diameter of 3.7 m. At the top is located at the start of a cap, behind which is the coupling adapter for the ISS. Next comes the 4.2 tonne and 3.1 m high pressure cabin for payloads and / or crew. According sketch to find on board space up to seven astronauts. In the capsule integrated 18 engines and tanks with 1,290 kg of fuel. The fuel is sufficient for an approach and docking with the ISS as well as the decoupling and the braking rate for re-entry. At the capsule still join in the payload configuration, an additional 14 cubic meters tall, rear hollow cylinder open as storage space for larger loads of; However, this is not under pressure. On the additional element solar panels and heat exchangers are mounted. With the current version of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle Dragon can carry about 2.5 tons payload to the ISS, the COTS agreement provides a total of 20 t in 12 flights ago, which is about 1.7 tons per flight. In a later, more powerful version of the Falcon 9 rocket (Falcon 9 Block III) is the maximum payload for over 6 tonnes per flight increased.
Depending on the requirements of the mission of the interior of the Dragon capsule can be designed differently. With a payload mission payload racks are installed. In addition, there are two ways of installation way of the shuttle Middecks permitting and active loads, such as freezer containers. For a manned mission seats for the astronauts and controls for manual control are in place.
Dragon as a manned spacecraft
Both the launcher and the spacecraft were designed from the outset for the transport of people. For this reason, the number of changes should be relatively low towards a manned spaceship.
Since a manned mission greater demands are placed on the security, it is possible during such a mission that the team the autopilot disabled and even takes over the control. Normally the Dragon by two avionics systems is controlled to enable a docking to the ISS without crew.
The system for rescue during the initial phase will be integrated unlike the Apollo space ship does not consist of an escape tower, but the spaceship.
Missions
As of March 21, 2014
COTS program
Under the COTS program (Commercial Orbital Transportation Services ) NASA Dragon was first tested extensively. Various capabilities of the spacecraft and the launch vehicle were demonstrated (among start, automatic navigation, docking with the ISS, re-entry and landing). These two demonstration flights were conducted.
COTS -1
Mission 1 consisted of the launch of the Falcon 9 with Dragon, the separation of the second stage of the Falcon 9, which receive commands and their processing in-orbit maneuvers and tests. This flight took place on December 8, 2010. The Falcon 9 with the Dragon took off at 15:43 UTC from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40. After two orbits around Earth and a mission time of 3 hours 19 minutes was at 19:02 UTC, the re-entry and west of Mexico, the successful splashdown in the Pacific instead. After the rescue took place. The mission is regarded by SpaceX and NASA as a success.
COTS -2
The start of the second mission, which included a docking with the International Space Station was initially planned for 19 May 2012. The launch was but shortly after ignition of the first stage canceled due to high combustion chamber pressure in engine 5, the mean of the nine engines. Then took place May 22, 2012 at 07:44 UTC clock in the second experiment the start of the Falcon 9 After a series of tests and complicated maneuvers, the Dragon capsule approached on the fourth day of the mission to within 10 meters of the ISS. It was then captured by the Canadarm2 robotic arm of the space station and led to a free coupling site of the U.S. portion of the ISS. This process was controlled by the ISS by astronauts Don Pettit and André Kuipers. The ship transported 460 kg load ( 520 kg with transport packaging ) to the ISS and was charged for the return flight with more than 600 kg of waste and unneeded equipment. In addition, 308 ash capsules have been launched on behalf of the specialized space burials company Celestis with the second stage of the rocket. On 31 May 2012, the Dragon capsule was again separated from the space station. After re-entering the Earth's atmosphere took place at 15:42 UTC clock the splashdown off the coast of Baja California.
CRS program
As part of the CRS program (Commercial Resupply Services) has commissioned for 1.6 billion U.S. dollars to perform twelve Dragon flights to supply the ISS, NASA, SpaceX. The first flight (CRS -1) was launched on 8 October 2012. This led, according to SpaceX shortly after the start of the failure of one of the nine engines of the first stage of the rocket. The missile is so constructed that it can compensate for the loss of up to two engines and still achieve orbit. The approach to the space station and the docking went therefore as planned. It was transported a total payload of 235 kg, consisting of supplies (clothing, food, etc. ) and material for scientific experiments. The capsule was loaded for the return flight 524 kg of cargo and returned on October 28, 2012 back to Earth. The second CRS mission took place from March 26, 2013 March 1.
CCDev program
As part of the CCDev program (Commercial Crew Development ) NASA, can not perform its own manned missions to the crew exchange more without the Space Shuttle promotes the advancement of the Dragon for manned spacecraft. A manned Dragon capsule could relieve the Soyuz crew during transport and may also fly to future private space stations. By June 2012, the design studies of the modified spaceship and a possible schedule for a manned mission has been completed and submitted to NASA. Their vote will decide on the further course of development work. The approval for manned flights is expected in mid 2014.