SpaceX's Dragon Spacecraft Successfully Completes High Altitude Drop Test

Final Test Before Launch Validates Mission Critical Function — Successful Test of Parachute Systems and Recovery Operations for Spacecraft Set to Return Supplies from Space Station

Hawthorne, CA – Today SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies) announced their Dragon spacecraft has successfully completed a high altitude drop test — meeting 100% of test objectives. This is the last in a series of tests to validate parachute deployment systems and recovery operations before the craft’s first launch.

To view the video and pictures click here.

During the August 12th test, an Erikson S-64F Air-Crane helicopter dropped a test article of the Dragon spacecraft from a height of 14,000 feet, roughly nine miles off the coast of Morro Bay, California. In a carefully timed sequence of events, dual redundant drogue parachutes deployed first to stabilize and gently slow the craft before three main parachutes, 116 feet in diameter, further slowed the craft to a picture perfect landing. From there, recovery ships successfully returned the Dragon and parachutes to shore.

While Dragon will initially be used to transport cargo, the spacecraft was designed to transport crew and the parachute system validated during the test is the same system that would be used on a crew-carrying Dragon.

“By holding the Dragon to stringent standards for manned missions from the start, tests like this will ensure the highest quality and reliability for Dragon over the long term,” said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and CTO. “We are proving, every day, that the future of American missions to space will rely on American made commercial companies.”

The two drogue parachutes create a more gradual reduction in speed, important for future manned missions, while the three oversized parachutes are important to ensuring a safe and comfortable landing, slowing the spacecraft’s descent to approximately 16-18 feet per second. Under nominal conditions, astronauts would experience no more than roughly 2-3 g’s during this type of decent—less than you’d experience at an amusement park. And with three main parachutes, even if Dragon were to lose one, crew would still land safely.

“Data gathered during the drop test will be invaluable as we prepare for the upcoming demonstration flight of the first operational Dragon spacecraft,” said Chris Thompson, SpaceX VP of Structures.

In June 2010, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft test article. Later this year, SpaceX will take the next step in testing, delivering an operational Dragon to low earth orbit atop a Falcon 9. This is the first demonstration flight under its inclusion in NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, established in 2006 to encourage private companies to develop commercial space transport capabilities.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft and its Falcon 9 launch vehicle have been selected by NASA to deliver supplies to and from the International Space Station starting in 2011. The Dragon spacecraft can return as much as 2,500 kilograms (5,510 lbs) of cargo from the space station back to Earth, a service not offered by any other commercial cargo supply system.

Landing of an operational Dragon is a far more precise operation than seen in the drop test. Draco thrusters fired during reentry will ensure Dragon lands less than a mile from the targeted site. The dispersion is due only to wind pushing Dragon’s parachutes—in low winds Dragon’s landing accuracy will be within a few hundred feet. Once the ability to accurately control reentry is proven, SpaceX plans to add deployable landing gear and use thrusters to safely land Dragon on land.

About SpaceX

Space Exploration Technologies, inc. is developing a family of American made launch vehicles and spacecraft that will increase reliability and performance of space transportation, while ultimately reducing costs by a factor of ten. With the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 rockets, SpaceX currently has a diverse manifest to deliver commercial satellites to orbit. In addition, the Falcon 9 and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft are under contract with NASA to carry cargo, including live plants and animals, to and from the International Space Station. Since its inception, Dragon has been developed to accommodate crew.

Founded in 2002, SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The company has over 1,100 employees in California, Texas and Florida. For more information, and to watch the video of the first Falcon 9 launch, visit the SpaceX website at SpaceX.com.

The Erickson S-64 Skycrane “Elvis” lifts the Dragon spacecraft from the Dynegy parking lot in Morro Bay,
California, to transport the spacecraft up to over 14,000 feet. Photo Credit: Roger Gilbertson / SpaceX.

About 30 seconds after being released from the helicopter, the drogue parachutes (upper right)
have been released after stabilizing and slowing the spacecraft, and then pulling out the main
parachutes, which are shown in the process of deployment. Photo Credit: Roger Gilbertson / SpaceX.

Fully deployed, the three main Airborne Systems parachutes gently bring the Dragon spacecraft
down for a water splashdown. Photo Credit: Roger Gilbertson / SpaceX.

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