SpaceX’s Dragon Can Activate SuperDraco Engines For Propulsive Landing In Case Of Parachute Failure
11th Oct 2024After ten years NASA and SpaceX have decided to bring back one of the main Dragon’s capabilities that was believed to have been left behind in development – propulsive landing using SuperDracos.
“Dragon was always designed to land propulsively, but I didn’t want to risk it as the primary method”, writes Elon Musk on X (former Twitter).
On 27 September, SpaceX announced that the Dragon now has a possibility to propulsively land using its SuperDraco thrusters, which aims to save the spacecraft and potential crew from a rough landing.
When SpaceX revealed Dragon 2, it was marketed as capable of propulsive landing and was initially designed to land exclusively with eight SuperDraco engines. However, SpaceX ultimately pursued the use of parachutes as the main form of recovery for Dragon 2 missions.
Propulsive Or Ocean Landing?
At the right moment, eight SuperDraco engines light, propelling the Dragon capsule to slow down its descent. Once the velocity reached zero, the capsule would touch down on extendable landing legs on a prepared landing pad.
It is believed that the spacecraft could benefit from landing on a concrete pad rather than in the ocean. Firstly, it offers a safer environment for the crew when exiting the spacecraft. Getting astronauts out of a capsule is an extended process, especially when they have been exposed to microgravity. The movement of ocean waves along with the task of retrieving Dragon from the water has proven to be time-consuming, and landing on a solid surface would speed up the process.
Secondly, it helps to prevent the corrosive effects of saltwater, which is vital for the vehicle’s reusability.
NASA Cancelled Propulsive Landings
After NASA awarded SpaceX the contract to fly its crewed mission aboard Dragon 2, the initial plan was for propulsive landing to serve as the primary system, with parachutes as a backup. However, months later it was announced that SpaceX had changed course, pursuing ocean landings using parachutes rather than solid surface landings with the SuperDraco engines.
It was later revealed that this decision was made by NASA. The agency felt more comfortable with a parachute-based landing system, considering it safer for the crew. Additionally, NASA expressed concerns that the small openings in Dragon’s heat shield, designed to accommodate the four extendable landing legs, could cause the quick formation of hotspots during reentry that might lead to the spacecraft crashing.
Dragon Can Land On Solid Surface
The Dragon spacecraft is known to be an exceptionally reliable and thoroughly tested vehicle, having successfully completed 15 crewed missions to the ISS and other low-Earth orbits. So, any issues with its landing parachute system are considered highly unlikely. However, during the Crew-9 pre-launch briefing, NASA announced that in the event of a parachute anomaly, the four main parachutes would be cut, allowing Dragon to ignite its eight SuperDraco engines to perform a controlled propulsive landing. NASA described this type of landing as “tolerable” for the Dragon crew.
This capability certainly represents an impressive backup option for the Dragon spacecraft.
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