SpaceX has video been released of a previously executed test with its Crew Dragon capsule. The space agency wants the module using its SuperDraco-stuwmotoren on solid ground able to land with the precision of a helicopter.
The test was on 24 november 2015 carried out, but SpaceX has now officially released footage. To see how the Dragon capsule to a cable just above the ground. At the time that the SuperDraco-stuwmotoren to be turned on, hovering the capsule independently above the ground. In total, the capsule equipped with eight SuperDraco engines, which in ‘jet pack’pairs are attached.
During the test, which is five seconds, clears SpaceX Dragon capsule stable float. The SuperDraco engines generated as a 147kN to thrust. The are much more powerful variants of the regular Draco engines, which are already used on the Dragon-vrachtcapsules of SpaceX. In the space, the stuwmotoren used to the capsule to the ISS to navigate after it is removed from the launcher.
The ultimate goal of SpaceX for its Dragon capsule to the ground to be able to let countries using the stuwmotoren. Currently times the ruimtecapsules with cargo back to earth using parachutes and countries in sea. When the first manned flights of the Dragon V2 module will also be a sea to land, without the use of the thrusters.
Ruimteorganisatie NASA gave in november 2015 green light to SpaceX for manned space missions to the ISS to carry out. Such a mission should be in 2017 for the first place. SpaceX for its Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon space capsule. Since 2012 the commercial space of Elon Musk all cargo mission to the ISS. This is a vrachtvariant of the Dragon capsule.