# Dragon 2

> reusable spacecraft by SpaceX

**Wikidata**: [Q17122887](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17122887)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Dragon_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dragon-2

## Summary
Dragon 2 is a reusable spacecraft designed and manufactured by SpaceX, serving as a successor to the original Dragon. It is a versatile space capsule capable of transporting both crew and cargo to space. The Dragon 2 family includes dedicated Crew Dragon and Cargo Dragon variants for specific mission profiles.

## Key Facts
*   **Manufacturer and Operator:** SpaceX
*   **Classification:** Reusable spacecraft, space capsule, spacecraft family
*   **Aliases:** DragonRider, Dragon V2, SpaceX Dragon 2, Crew Dragon capsule, Crew Dragon
*   **Predecessor:** Dragon (reusable cargo spacecraft by SpaceX)
*   **First Uncrewed Flight:** March 2, 2019
*   **First Human Spaceflight:** May 30, 2020, with the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Falcon 9 Block 5
*   **Dimensions:** 8.1 meters in height (including service module) and 4 meters in diameter
*   **Payload Capacity:** Up to 6,000 kg for launch and 3,000 kg for landing
*   **Maximum Crew Capacity:** 4

## FAQs
### Q: Who designed and manufactured the Dragon 2 spacecraft?
A: The Dragon 2 spacecraft was designed and manufactured by SpaceX, an American aerospace company.

### Q: What are the primary uses of Dragon 2?
A: Dragon 2 is a versatile spacecraft used for both crewed missions, transporting astronauts, and uncrewed cargo missions, delivering supplies to destinations like the International Space Station.

### Q: When did Dragon 2 have its first flight with astronauts?
A: Dragon 2's first human spaceflight, known as Crew Dragon Demo-2, occurred on May 30, 2020. Its first uncrewed flight was on March 2, 2019.

### Q: What are the different versions of the Dragon 2 spacecraft?
A: The Dragon 2 spacecraft has two primary operational versions: the Crew Dragon, designed for transporting astronauts, and the Cargo Dragon, optimized for carrying supplies and equipment.

## Why It Matters
The Dragon 2 spacecraft represents a significant advancement in commercial spaceflight and human space exploration. As a reusable spacecraft capable of transporting both crew and cargo, it has fundamentally changed how space agencies, particularly NASA, access low Earth orbit. Its development marked the return of human spaceflight capabilities to the United States after the Space Shuttle program, enabling NASA to rely on a private company for astronaut transport to the International Space Station. This commercial partnership model has fostered innovation, reduced costs, and increased access to space. Dragon 2's reusability also contributes to more sustainable space operations by reducing the need for entirely new spacecraft for each mission. Its success has paved the way for further commercialization of space and the development of next-generation spacecraft.

## Notable For
*   **Dual Capability:** Designed to transport both crew (Crew Dragon) and cargo (Cargo Dragon) within the same spacecraft family, offering modularity and versatility.
*   **Return of US Human Spaceflight:** Marked the first time since the Space Shuttle program that astronauts were launched into orbit from American soil on an American spacecraft, specifically for NASA.
*   **Reusable Design:** Features a fully reusable design for its capsule, contributing to lower mission costs and increased flight frequency.
*   **Integrated Launch Escape System:** Utilizes eight SuperDraco engines as part of an integrated launch escape system, providing crew safety during ascent.
*   **Commercial Partnership Model:** Exemplifies a successful commercial partnership with NASA for ISS resupply and crew transportation, setting a precedent for future space endeavors.

## Body

### Overview
Dragon 2 is a reusable spacecraft developed, designed, and manufactured by SpaceX, an aerospace company based in the United States. It is known by several aliases, including DragonRider, Dragon V2, SpaceX Dragon 2, Crew Dragon capsule, and Crew Dragon. The spacecraft is operated by SpaceX. Dragon 2 is classified as a space capsule, a reusable spacecraft, and belongs to a spacecraft family. It follows the original Dragon reusable cargo spacecraft.

### Design and Specifications
Dragon 2 has a dry weight mass of 9,525 kilograms. Its dimensions include a height of 8.1 meters, specifically for its service module, and a diameter of 4 meters. The spacecraft offers a maximum crew capacity of 4. For cargo, it can carry a payload mass of up to 6,000 kilograms at launch and return 3,000 kilograms upon landing. The internal volume includes 9.3 cubic meters for pressurized cargo and 37 cubic meters for unpressurized cargo.

### Propulsion and Power
The spacecraft is powered by a combination of propulsion systems and solar arrays. Its launch escape system utilizes 8 SuperDraco engines, while its reaction control system employs 16 SpaceX Draco engines. Power is also supplied by spacecraft solar arrays.

### Variants and Components
The Dragon 2 family includes two main operational variants:
*   **Crew Dragon:** The crewed version of the SpaceX Dragon 2 capsule, designed for human spaceflight.
*   **Cargo Dragon:** The cargo version of the SpaceX Dragon 2 capsule, designed for transporting supplies.

A proposed variant, **Red Dragon**, was a modified SpaceX Dragon spacecraft design for a sample return mission to Mars.

Notable components and individual capsules include:
*   **DragonFly:** A prototype Crew Dragon space capsule.
*   Specific capsules such as C204, C205, Endeavour, Resilience, C208, C209, Endurance, C211, and Freedom.

### Operational History
Dragon 2's first flight, an uncrewed spaceflight maiden flight, occurred on March 2, 2019. Its maiden flight for human spaceflight, known as Crew Dragon Demo-2, took place on May 30, 2020. The primary launch vehicle for Dragon 2 missions is the Falcon 9 Block 5, the current version of the SpaceX Falcon 9 orbital launch vehicle.

### Online Presence
Further information can be found on its official website: https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/dragon/. The entity is also associated with the Wikipedia title "SpaceX Dragon 2" and has a dedicated category on Wikimedia Commons, "Category:SpaceX Dragon 2".

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## References

1. [Source](https://spacelaunchreport.com/falcon9ft.html)
2. [Source](https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/dragon/)
3. [Source](https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-completed-crew-dragon-spacecraft-falcon-9-block-5-booster/)
4. [Source](https://www.americaspace.com/2015/05/01/spacex-nasa-discuss-forthcoming-dragon-pad-abort-test/)
5. Quora