What is the Dragon capsule? ,How did the dragon get its name?
What is the Dragon capsule -Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Alexander Gorbunov are returning to Earth via SpaceX’s spacecraft Dragon. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore began their mission on the International Space Station on 6 June 2024. Nick Hague and Alexander Gorbunov arrived at the station on 29 September 2024. Now they are returning home on SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom spacecraft.
The US space agency NASA has chosen SpaceX’s Dragon Crew capsule for this task. This capsule has been launched 49 times since its construction. The Dragon capsule has traveled to the International Space Station 44 times. It has been reflown 29 times. This capsule has a seating arrangement for seven astronauts at a time.
This is the world’s first private spacecraft that has been continuously carrying astronauts and cargo to the space station. The empty capsule weighs 7700 kg. When it is launched with cargo and astronauts, its maximum weight capacity is 12,500 kg.
It can deliver up to 6,000 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 case of emergency it can return with seven astronauts
In case of emergency evacuation, seating arrangements 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.
12 Dragon capsules have been built so far
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 capsules have been made. 6 crew, 3 cargo, and 3 prototypes.
8 Dragon capsules are operational, 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.
The flight of success has been taking off continuously 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.
How did the dragon get its name?
Elon Musk named it after the 1963 song ‘Puff, the Magic Dragon’. Many people had said that Musk’s space mission was impossible, so he named it as a taunt. SpaceX’s Dragon capsule is playing an important role in the safe return of Sunita Williams. It is the world’s most advanced spacecraft, which has the capability to bring astronauts safely to Earth. This joint effort of NASA and SpaceX can prove to be a new milestone for space exploration.
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