SpaceX Crew Dragon
NASA needed to stop relying so heavily on Soyuz for rides to the ISS, and so it forged partnerships with private companies to help launch its astronauts to space.
At the time SpaceX was awarded its NASA contract, it was the less expensive proposal at $2.6 billion. Boeing was seen as a more reliable company with a better track record. It’s safe to say things have drastically changed since then, with SpaceX launching its eighth crew to the ISS in March 2024 while its counterpart lags terribly behind.
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is capable of carrying up to seven passengers to and from Earth orbit, and measures at 26.7 feet tall (8 meters). It’s equipped with two drogue parachutes to stabilize the spacecraft after it reenters through Earth’s atmosphere, plus four main parachutes to decelerate it prior to an ocean landing.
