In February 2025, Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and American astronaut Butch Barry Wilmore will return to Earth. The US space agency NASA has chosen SpaceX’s Dragon Crew Capsule for this task. This capsule has been launched 46 times since its construction.
The Dragon capsule has traveled to the International Space Station 42 times. It has been reflown 25 times. This capsule has a seating arrangement for seven astronauts at a time. This is the world’s first private spacecraft, which has been continuously carrying astronauts and cargo to the space station. The empty capsule weighs 7700 kilograms.
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When it is launched with cargo and astronauts, its maximum weight capacity is 12,500 kg. It can deliver up to 6000 kg of weight to an orbit. It can deliver or bring back 3307 kg of weight to the space station. Usually 2 to 4 astronauts sit in it.
In case of emergency, it can return to earth with seven astronauts
In case of emergency evacuation, seating arrangement for seven astronauts can be made in it. If it flies on its own in the lower orbit of the earth, then it can stay in space for 10 days. But if it is connected to the space station, then it can stay in space for 210 days.
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So far 12 Dragon capsules have been built, 6 are for astronauts
The height of the Dragon Crew capsule is 15 feet. But with the propulsion system added below, its height becomes 26.7 feet. The capsule has a diameter of 13 feet inside and a width of 12 feet. SpaceX has made several variants of it. So far 12 Dragon capsules have been made. 6 crew, 3 cargo and 3 prototypes.
There are currently eight Dragon capsules in operation, four for astronauts
At present, a total of 8 Dragon capsules are operational. Four of these are crew capsules, i.e. for taking astronauts to and from the space station. Three are cargo capsules, i.e. for luggage. One is a prototype. Three capsules have been retired, of which one was crew and two were prototypes.
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Success has been flying high since 2019
The first unmanned flight of this capsule took place on 2 March 2019. The first manned flight took place on 20 May 2020. The first cargo flight took place on 6 December 2020. It is usually launched from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. It carries 2563 kg of fuel to go to and return from the space station.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)