SpaceX Unveil Human Rated Dragon V2 Spacecraft

Dragon V photo:SpaceX SpaceX unveiled its next generation Dragon V2 spacecraft, designed to carry astronauts to Earth orbit and beyon...

Dragon V photo:SpaceX

SpaceX unveiled its next generation Dragon V2 spacecraft, designed to carry astronauts to Earth orbit and beyond.

Dragon V2 is the man rated version of SpaceX’s proven Dragon spacecraft, which is successfully delivering critical cargo and science experiments to the International Space Station under a $1.6 billion Cargo Resupply Mission contract with NASA.

Crew Cabin photo:SpaceX

Designed with astronaut safety and comfort in mind, Dragon V2 can seats 7 passengers, and includes an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) that provides a comfortable environment for crew members.

Dragon V2 features an state-of-the-art launch escape system, the first of its kind, that will provide a zero altitude escape capability using its eight new SuperDraco engines built into the side walls of the spacecraft, producing up to 120,000 pounds of axial thrust to carry astronauts to safety in an emergency.

The system also enables Dragon V2 to make propulsive landing on Earth or another planet with pin point accuracy like a helicopter.

The SuperDraco is an advanced version of the Draco engines currently used by SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to maneuver on orbit and during reentry.

Two SuperDraco Engine photo:SpaceX

The eight SuperDracos also provide redundancy, so that even if two engine fails an escape can still be carried out successfully. There is also a backup parachute system in case of any thruster failures.

It can also be restarted multiple times if necessary and the engines will have the ability to deep throttle.

The engine is manufactured using inconel- a austenitic nickel-chromium based superalloy, through additive manufacturing and direct metal laser sintering process.
SpaceX recently carried out a successful test firing of SuperDraco engine.

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program awarded SpaceX $75 million contract in April 2011 to develop the escape system.

Additional improvements include a SpaceX-designed and built ISS docking adapter, impact attenuating landing legs, and a more advanced version of the PICA-X (Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator-X) heat shield for improved durability and performance.

The vehicle can also dock directly to the ISS autonomously without using the large Canadarm 2 robotic arm.