SpaceX · Operational · us · Cargo Spacecraft
Cargo Dragon (Dragon 2 Cargo)
Reusable uncrewed cargo resupply vehicle for ISS under NASA CRS-2 contract.
Verified 2026-06-17 · First flight 2020-12-06
Subsystems
propulsion↗
16 Draco hypergolic thrusters (400 N each) for orbital maneuvering and attitude control.
avionics↗
Dual fault-tolerant computers; autonomous rendezvous and docking to ISS IDA port without crew intervention.
thermal↗
PICA-X primary heat shield; SPAM backshell for reentry thermal protection.
power↗
Trunk-mounted UltraFlex-style solar panels; trunk volume 37 m³.
recovery↗
Four-parachute ocean splashdown; reusable capsule; trunk expendable.
Specs & Metrics
- Cargo Upmass ↑ better
- 6,000 kg
- Total launch payload mass; 3,000 kg return
- Maximum pressurized + unpressurized cargo delivered to station orbit (upmass), in kg.
- Pressurized Volume ↑ better
- 9.3 m³
- Total internal pressurized volume of the spacecraft in cubic metres.