SpaceX Dragon V2's Trunk - what is it?

[Jestersage]

This is actually more of a KSP reference question... Anyway, the Dragon and Dragon V2 have an unpressurized "trunk". Is this the same as service module, containing fuels and thrusters ala Apollo CSM/CST-100/Orion, or is it just a cargo container with solar panels?

Edited November 15, 2016 by Jestersage

[sojourner]

It's an interstage with solar panels that can carry unpressurized cargo.

[tater]

Yeah, for ISS crew missions, they are not mass-limited, as Falcon 9 FT can put over 22 tons in LEO, and D2 with payload is under 10.

Edited November 15, 2016 by tater

[kerbiloid]

Other rockets cut off head from the neck, while Falcon/Dragon cuts off neck from the body.

[KSK]

5 hours ago, Jestersage said:

This is actually more of a KSP reference question... Anyway, the Dragon and Dragon V2 have an unpressurized "trunk". Is this the same as service module, containing fuels and thrusters ala Apollo CSM/CST-100/Orion, or is it just a cargo container with solar panels?

A wheel of cheese, some spare towels (gotta know where your towels are) and that one mismatched space sock that nobody can ever find.

Like @sojourner and @tater said - it's basically a cargo container.

[Nibb31]

5 hours ago, Jestersage said:

This is actually more of a KSP reference question... Anyway, the Dragon and Dragon V2 have an unpressurized "trunk". Is this the same as service module, containing fuels and thrusters ala Apollo CSM/CST-100/Orion, or is it just a cargo container with solar panels?

A service module typically contains tanks and engines, as well as other equipment.

The Dragon trunk is just a hollow cylinder that serves as a mounting point for the solar panels, as a radiator, and as a shroud for unpressurized cargo.

 

[p1t1o]

I have also heard that the "trunk" is important in maintaining aerodynamic stability in the case of an LES abort.

[Wjolcz]

1 hour ago, p1t1o said:

I have also heard that the "trunk" is important in maintaining aerodynamic stability in the case of an LES abort.

It seems to have fins stabilizing the whole thing during the flight.

I was thinking about the trunk recently and considered it a pretty smart idea. Are there any other spacecraft that utilize such kind of trunk?

[magnemoe]

17 minutes ago, Veeltch said:

It seems to have fins stabilizing the whole thing during the flight.

I was thinking about the trunk recently and considered it a pretty smart idea. Are there any other spacecraft that utilize such kind of trunk?

yes, the trunk make the rocket longer and it has small fins at the back. 

The trunk is smart if you want to reuse the pod, others use an service module as its no point bringing things back down if you don't reuse it. 
soyuz uses an pressurized compartment who is dropped before reentry but not sure if soyuz carry any unpressuirized cargo.
 

[NSEP]

Now were are the engines under that thing?

[kerbiloid]

Engines are around the capsule. Trunk is between their torches.

1 hour ago, Veeltch said:

Are there any other spacecraft that utilize such kind of trunk?

And that's why others don't do this.

[Nibb31]

4 hours ago, NSEP said:

Now were are the engines under that thing?

No engines. No tanks. The Dragon trunk is just a hollow cylinder that serves as a mounting point for the solar panels, as a radiator, and as a shroud for unpressurized cargo. 

(am I repeating myself ?)

5 hours ago, Veeltch said:

I was thinking about the trunk recently and considered it a pretty smart idea. Are there any other spacecraft that utilize such kind of trunk?

It's smart if you can carry the service module back with you, which is basically what Dragon does. Of course, bringing everything back with you carries a penalty in terms of heatshield and landing equipment mass.

The cargo version of DreamChaser will not have a trunk, but the aft section will be disposable, and will carry the docking port, solar panels, and unpressurized cargo pallets.

Edited November 15, 2016 by Nibb31

[Wjolcz]

7 minutes ago, Nibb31 said:

 

The cargo version of DragonChaser will not have a trunk, but the aft section will be disposable, and will carry the docking port, solar panels, and unpressurized cargo pallets.

DragonChaser? I thought the official name was Dragon 2/Dragon V2?

[Nibb31]

3 hours ago, Veeltch said:

DragonChaser? I thought the official name was Dragon 2/Dragon V2?

Sorry, DreamChaser.

[kerbiloid]

Hermes was planned in similar manner, but too - with not a trunk but a disposable section with the same stuff as listed for DreamChaser.

Clipper was mentioned to use Soyuz's orbital module (the spherical toilet with docking node) but keeping it mounted inside.

What to say? Results were the same.

Edited November 15, 2016 by kerbiloid

[magnemoe]

3 hours ago, Nibb31 said:

No engines. No tanks. The Dragon trunk is just a hollow cylinder that serves as a mounting point for the solar panels, as a radiator, and as a shroud for unpressurized cargo. 

(am I repeating myself ?)

It's smart if you can carry the service module back with you, which is basically what Dragon does. Of course, bringing everything back with you carries a penalty in terms of heatshield and landing equipment mass.

The cargo version of DragonChaser will not have a trunk, but the aft section will be disposable, and will carry the docking port, solar panels, and unpressurized cargo pallets.

Don't get it, instead of an trunk it will have an disposable module with solar panels and cargo pallets, that sounds just like an trunk for me ?
And why the docking port on the back, should it not be in front for accessing the pressurized cargo? 
Also I thought they used larger adapter where you need the arm to dock, not an standard docking port, dragon 1 have this. 

Note that the cargo version don't need fuel for the escape system this saves weight so it might use an longer trunk. 
 

[kerbiloid]

32 minutes ago, magnemoe said:

Note that the cargo version don't need fuel for the escape system this saves weight so it might use an longer trunk. 

Also it doesn't need to start with head upwards. So, it can be launched with its engines up, with a trunk connected to head.
But that means it doesn't need a capsule, it needs only trunk. And one engine.
But then why to launch it engines upwards, let's do this in normal way.
So... We get ATV/Cygnus design.

[Nibb31]

17 hours ago, magnemoe said:

Don't get it, instead of an trunk it will have an disposable module with solar panels and cargo pallets, that sounds just like an trunk for me ?
And why the docking port on the back, should it not be in front for accessing the pressurized cargo? 
Also I thought they used larger adapter where you need the arm to dock, not an standard docking port, dragon 1 have this. 

Note that the cargo version don't need fuel for the escape system this saves weight so it might use an longer trunk. 
 

I meant DreamChaser, which is a spaceplane. The rear section is disposable and carries unpressurized pallets externally and solar panels, which makes it comparable to Dragon's trunk.