spacetoday.net: Dragon capsule returns safely

Posted: Wed, Dec 8, 2010, 9:38 PM ET (0238 GMT)
Dragon capsule descends towards splashdown on maiden flight (SpaceX)

SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, launched for the first time Wednesday morning, parachuted to a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean Wednesday afternoon, capping what company officials said was a flawless demonstration mission. The Dragon spacecraft made two orbits of the Earth before reentering, splashing down almost exactly on target shortly after 2 pm EST (1900 GMT). Company officials said the spacecraft performed as planned in orbit, and all aspects of the flight, from launch to reentry and landing, went as planned. Dragon is the first commercially-developed spacecraft to successfully return to Earth. SpaceX is developing Dragon to transport cargo, and potentially crews, to the International Space Station. SpaceX said a second Dragon test flight, where the spacecraft wold approach and perhaps even dock with, the ISS, is planned for next summer.