# C103

> spacecraft manufactured by SpaceX

**Wikidata**: [Q102602675](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102602675)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/c103

## Summary
C103 is a Dragon spacecraft manufactured and operated by SpaceX, distinguished by its serial number C103. As part of the Dragon class of reusable cargo spacecraft, it played a key role in commercial resupply efforts. The vehicle is specifically known for its execution of the SpaceX CRS-1 mission in 2012.

## Key Facts
- **Identity:** C103 is a spacecraft with the serial number C103, also known by the aliases SpaceX Dragon C103, CRS Dragon C103, and Dragon C103.
- **Class:** It is an instance of the Dragon spacecraft class, a reusable cargo vessel developed by SpaceX.
- **Manufacturer:** The vehicle was manufactured and operated by SpaceX in the United States.
- **Mission:** Its significant event was the SpaceX CRS-1 mission, which launched on October 8, 2012, and concluded on October 28, 2012.
- **Launch Site:** C103 launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.
- **Lineage:** In the SpaceX manufacturing sequence, C103 follows spacecraft C102 and is followed by C104.

## FAQs
### Q: What specific mission was the C103 spacecraft used for?
A: C103 was utilized for the SpaceX CRS-1 mission. This mission commenced on October 8, 2012, and ended with splashdown on October 28, 2012.

### Q: What type of spacecraft is C103?
A: C103 is a Dragon class spacecraft. This classification refers to a reusable cargo spacecraft manufactured by SpaceX, originating from the United States.

### Q: Where did the C103 launch from?
A: The spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 in the United States.

## Why It Matters
C103 serves as a critical hardware example of the early operational phase of commercial space transport. As a specific unit within the Dragon line (preceded by C102 and succeeded by C104), it represents the shift from one-off prototypes to serialized manufacturing in the private space sector. Its successful operation during the SpaceX CRS-1 mission demonstrated the capability of the Dragon platform to execute sustained cargo runs. By fulfilling a mission duration of roughly 20 days in October 2012, C103 provided essential data regarding the recovery and reusability of spacecraft, a cornerstone of SpaceX's strategy to reduce spaceflight costs. Its existence validates the engineering lineage of the Dragon class, which began inception around 2004, marking it as a tangible milestone in the history of American space logistics.

## Notable For
- **CRS-1 Mission:** C103 is the designated hardware for the SpaceX CRS-1 significant event.
- **Serialized Production:** It is a distinct serial number unit (C103) in a sequence including C102 and C104, indicating an assembly line production method.
- **Reusability:** As an instance of the Dragon class, it is part of a lineage designed for reusability.
- **Operational Timeline:** The spacecraft operated during a specific 20-day window in late 2012 (Oct 8–Oct 28).

## Body
### Identity and Classification
C103 is a spacecraft identified by the serial number C103. It is an instance of the **Dragon** class, a type of reusable cargo spacecraft. The vehicle is manufactured and operated by **SpaceX** (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.) and has the country of origin listed as the **United States**. Alternative names for the entity include SpaceX Dragon C103 and CRS Dragon C103.

### Mission History
The defining event for C103 was the **SpaceX CRS-1** mission.
- **Start Time:** October 8, 2012
- **End Time:** October 28, 2012
- **Launch Location:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40

The mission parameters define the operational lifecycle of the craft within the 2012 timeframe.

### Manufacturing Sequence
C103 exists within a specific sequence of spacecraft produced by SpaceX:
- **Preceded by:** C102
- **Followed by:** C104

This numbering system highlights the structured manufacturing approach to the Dragon fleet.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "C103",
  "description": "A Dragon spacecraft manufactured by SpaceX, used for the SpaceX CRS-1 mission.",
  "image": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/SpX_CRS-1_unberthing1.jpg",
  "additionalType": "Spacecraft",
  "identifier": {
    "@type": "PropertyValue",
    "propertyID": "Serial Number",
    "value": "C103"
  },
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "SpaceX"
  }
}

## References

1. [Source](https://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt)
2. [Source](http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/004/121028splashdown/#.UI_fCIa_PKg)