Dragon 2 Propulsive Hover Test
On
November 24, SpaceX’s
Dragon 2, powered by eight SuperDraco engines, executed a picture-perfect propulsive hover test at the company’s rocket development facility in
McGregor, Texas.
Eight SuperDraco thrusters, positioned around the perimeter of the vehicle in pairs called “jet packs”, fired up simultaneously to raise the
Crew Dragon spacecraft for a five-second hover, generating approximately
33,000 lbs of thrust before returning the vehicle to its resting position. This test was the second of a two-part milestone under
NASA’s
Commercial Crew Program. The first test—a short firing of the engines intended to verify a healthy propulsion system—was completed
November 22, and the longer burn two-days later demonstrated vehicle control while hovering.