SpaceX unveils crewed version of Dragon spacecraft
Posted: Fri, May 30, 2014, 7:32 PM ET (2332 GMT)
SpaceX, one of three companies competing for a commercial crew contract from NASA, unveiled Thursday night the crewed version of of its Dragon spacecraft that the company says could carry people into orbit as soon as 2016. The Dragon V2 spacecraft is designed to carry up to seven people to and from the International Space Station or other destinations in low Earth orbit. The spacecraft is equipped with new "SuperDraco" thrusters that can be used as a launch escape system in an emergency and, in normal flight, to perform powered landings. An initial orbital test flight of Dragon V2 could take place as soon as late 2015, with a crewed mission to follow in 2016, according to the company. SpaceX is competing with Boeing and Sierra Nevada Corporation for contracts in the next phase of NASA's commercial crew program, which would cover development and initial flights of such spacecraft. NASA is expected to award one or more contracts late this summer.
SpaceX, one of three companies competing for a commercial crew contract from NASA, unveiled Thursday night the crewed version of of its Dragon spacecraft that the company says could carry people into orbit as soon as 2016. The Dragon V2 spacecraft is designed to carry up to seven people to and from the International Space Station or other destinations in low Earth orbit. The spacecraft is equipped with new "SuperDraco" thrusters that can be used as a launch escape system in an emergency and, in normal flight, to perform powered landings. An initial orbital test flight of Dragon V2 could take place as soon as late 2015, with a crewed mission to follow in 2016, according to the company. SpaceX is competing with Boeing and Sierra Nevada Corporation for contracts in the next phase of NASA's commercial crew program, which would cover development and initial flights of such spacecraft. NASA is expected to award one or more contracts late this summer.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Roscosmos replaces cosmonaut on next Crew Dragon mission to ISS
Posted: Sat, Dec 6 9:45 AM ET (1445 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Friday, December 19
A Starlink satellite seems to have exploded
The Verge — 6:52 am ET (1152 GMT) ESA Assesses Underfunding Impact On Human, Robotic Exploration
Aviation Week — 6:51 am ET (1151 GMT) Hubble sees asteroids colliding around nearby star
ESA — 6:50 am ET (1150 GMT) A first in space autonomy
ESA — 6:50 am ET (1150 GMT) The 30-year journey of European satellite navigation
ESA — 6:50 am ET (1150 GMT) |
