SpaceX's Dragon, Now With Seating for Seven

By Nancy Atkinson - March 17, 2012 at 5:27 PM UTC | Space Exploration
dragon-seating.jpg

[/caption]

So much for the idea that space capsules are cramped and can only carry a limited crew. SpaceX revealed a prototype for their new crew cabin design, as they conducted a joint daylong review with NASA of the Dragon crew vehicle layout. In this configuration, the Dragon will be able to carry a crew of seven, the same number the space shuttle could carry. Using a Dragon engineering model equipped with seats and representations of crew systems, they were able to get assessments and feedback from engineers and four NASA astronauts on interior amenities such as lighting, environmental control and life support systems, displays, cargo racks, and the all important seating system. The evaluators participated in human factors assessments which covered entering and exiting Dragon under both regular and emergency (that's 'off-nominal' in NASA-speak) scenarios, as well as reach and visibility evaluations.

See more images from the review, below, along with a video from the initial tests of the SuperDraco engines that will power the launch escape system.

Plus, as a heads-up, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk will be on the US television show "60 Minutes" on Sunday, March 18, 2012. You can see a

preview here

, (which includes a touching scene of Musk talking about his heroes) and

check your local listings here

.

[caption id="attachment_94219" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="NASA Astronaut Rex Walheim, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk and SpaceX Commercial Crew Development Manager and former NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman standing inside the Dragon spacecraft during testing activities. Credit: SpaceX."]

[/caption]

Even with all seven crewmembers in their seats, there is enough interior space for three additional people to stand and assist the crew with their launch preparations -- or for the CEO to kibitz with the crew.

[caption id="attachment_94220" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="SpaceX and NASA conducted a daylong review of the Dragon crew vehicle layout using the Dragon engineering model equipped with seats and representations of crew systems. Photo: SpaceX"]

[/caption]

The seven seats mount to strong, lightweight supporting structures attached to the pressure vessel walls. Each seat can hold an adult up to 1.95 meters tall (6 feet 5 inches) and weighing 113 kg (250 lbs), and has a liner that is custom-fit for each crewmember.

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson is a space journalist and author with a passion for telling the stories of people involved in space exploration and astronomy. She is currently retired from daily writing, but worked at Universe Today for 20 years as a writer and editor. She also contributed articles to The Planetary Society, Ad Astra (National Space Society), New Scientist and many other online outlets.

Her 2019 book, "Eight Years to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Missions,” shares the untold stories of engineers and scientists who worked behind the scenes to make the Apollo program so successful, despite the daunting odds against it. Her first book “Incredible Stories From Space: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos” (2016) tells the stories of 37 scientists and engineers that work on several current NASA robotic missions to explore the solar system and beyond.

Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, and through this program, she has the opportunity to share her passion of space and astronomy with children and adults through presentations and programs. Nancy's personal website is nancyatkinson.com