SpaceX Dragon Capsule?

[bigdad84]

SpaceX claims that their Dragon capsule is reusable. So, every Dragon capsule that they've launched, is it new? Or is it the same one since the beginning?

[wasmic]

SpaceX claims that their Dragon capsule is reusable. So, every Dragon capsule that they've launched, is it new? Or is it the same one since the beginning?

That's a good question. I actually don't know.

[R0cketC0der]

Currently they are building a new one for each launch, however in the future they want to make them completely reusable.

Here you can see a picture of a few that are currently in production: http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/09/24/production-spacex

[Dkmdlb]

The ones they've been using burn up on re-entry. Mostly because they are full of garbage anyway.

[jwenting]

and remember that "reusable" is for a specific number of uses only, which may differ for each part.

So for example they might be able to use the structural elements 10 times, the electronics 50 times, and the heatshield 5 times.

[xenomorph555]

The ones they've been using burn up on re-entry. Mostly because they are full of garbage anyway.

That is not true, they have recovered every dragon so by boat from the sea, they are actually filled with finished experiments results and other useful things. After a mission however they are not reused and are sitting in the spacex hanger right now.

[Kryten]

SpaceX claims that their Dragon capsule is reusable. So, every Dragon capsule that they've launched, is it new? Or is it the same one since the beginning?

All Dragons actually launched so far have been part of NASA's CRS contract, which stipulates use of a new capsule every launch.

The ones they've been using burn up on re-entry. Mostly because they are full of garbage anyway.

No, they've been recovered and stored. They're useful for taking down stuff NASA wants to inspect on the ground, as Soyuz is barely capable of bringing back more than it's passengers.

[Dkmdlb]

No, they've been recovered and stored.

I stand corrected - the attached "trunk" burns up on reentry.

[Tommygun]

I'm still waiting for the used ones to show up on E bay.

...Well that and a few used Scud parts.

[Nibb31]

I stand corrected - the attached "trunk" burns up on reentry.

The trunk is nothing more than a cylindrical fairing panel with solar panels attached.

[magnemoe]

The trunk is nothing more than a cylindrical fairing panel with solar panels attached.

It can hold unpressurized cargo, typical stuff to mount outside on IIS or small satellites as secondary cargo but yes its just an fairing.

[Agamemnon]

All Dragons actually launched so far have been part of NASA's CRS contract, which stipulates use of a new capsule every launch.

actually... acc. to people on nsf, that is not true...

the contract only says that they get paid as if they launch a new dragon every time... but they could launch a recycled one, if they are confident enough that it would work...