Florida: Once in orbit, Sunita Williams and her crewmates spent nearly nine months in space. SpaceX’s Dragon capsule facilitated their return mission, and it landed off the coast of Florida. Her fellow astronauts, including Butch Wilmore, travelled alongside her, all returning in one capsule.
Important Features of the Dragon Capsule
Finally, SpaceX plans to use its Dragon capsule to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). It is the first private spacecraft to successfully return humans from space. The capsule was designed for this purpose and has been thoroughly tested by NASA and SpaceX.
Capacity of the Capsule
The Dragon capsule is designed for up to seven astronauts. Not only does it serve human missions, but it also transports large quantities of cargo and provisions to and from the space station. Its design and size are very capable, especially for long-distance space missions.
Safety and Landing System
The Dragon capsule contains 16 engines that are used to control mission spacecraft. It employs a six-parachute system for landing safely. Two parachutes slow the spacecraft down, and another four slow it further while it is close to landing, allowing for a safe splashdown into water. It is this protection system that shields the astronauts from possible risks.
So far, 49 Dragon missions have been flown, and the spacecraft has visited the ISS 44 times. SpaceX asserts that it includes one of the safest, most reliable parachute systems, which ensures that astronauts can be safe.