SPACEX CREWED DRAGON: PROVIDING THE SAFEST, MOST RELIABLE AND MOST ECONOMICAL ACCESS TO SPACE

Paper number

IAC-11,D2,9,9,x12136

Author

Mr. Brian Bjelde, SpaceX, United States

Year

2011

Abstract

With the retirement of the Space Shuttle, the United States lacks a domestic method of
space transport to the International Space Station (ISS). Space Exploration Technologies
Corp. (SpaceX) is developing the human-capable Dragon spacecraft to launch aboard the
Falcon 9 launch vehicle and safely, rapidly and economically provide a United States
(U.S.) method of space transport to the ISS, and eventually beyond.
To meet this commitment, SpaceX has designed and built a space vehicle from the
ground up with reliability as the key driver. The company embraced a test-like-you-fly
philosophy and used controlled processes to test technology developments and maintain
mission assurance. As a result, high reliability and low cost are simultaneously achieved
in space technologies. In many cases, they are inextricably linked: lower costs are
achieved by maintaining design simplicity, which drives high reliability.
Safety and sustainability are important customer concerns for vehicles built under
contract. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)–funded
Commercial Crew Development program utilizes a nontraditional method of U.S.
Government contracting, in which payments are awarded based on achievement of
agreed-upon milestones. These milestones are not adjusted in the event of cost or
schedule overrun. In other words, if agreed-upon work is not completed on budget or on
schedule, the contractor must make up the difference without additional Government
support. SpaceX believes this method of doing business drives the development of
sustainable space architectures and has uniquely influenced the design of its crew vehicle.
Developing a system that will rapidly and efficiently fill the gap in U.S. manned
spaceflight requires a focus on safety, reliability, and sustainably low costs, combined
with the demonstrated ability to execute rapid development. This paper examines lessons
learned during crewed space architecture development and sustainable space systems
design. The paper concludes with a set of guiding recommendations that the authors feel
will drive safe, reliable and sustainable crew transportation starting with the ISS and
moving beyond.

Abstract document

IAC-11,D2,9,9,x12136.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-11,D2,9,9,x12136.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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