SpaceX launched the original Dragon capsule on its last flight to the ISS

Last night, the space corporation Ilona Mask SpaceX successfully launched the Falcon 9 launch vehicle with the Dragon cargo capsule and two tons of payload for three crew members living in orbit. It is noteworthy that this flight will be the last for the original Dragon.

With the next launch, NASA SpaceX will start using the new cargo module, called Dragon 2. For the needs of NASA, the new capsule is similar in appearance to the Crew Dragon, which SpaceX plans to use to deliver people to orbit. It is slightly larger than its predecessor and holds 20% more cargo. In addition, one Dragon 2 can be used up to five times, while the original “Dragon” was used no more than three.

But the main feature of Dragon 2 is that the capsule is able to dock to the ISS on its own – the first generation of astronauts docked manually using a robotic arm. The debut launch of Dragon 2 is expected to take place in the fall of 2020.

Dragon 1 had a great career, and we are really proud of the contribution it made to science aboard the ISS.

said Hans Koenigsmann, vice president of SpaceX.

In fact, SpaceX Dragon 1 made history in 2012, becoming the first private vehicle to ever arrive on the ISS.