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SuperDraco is the launch abort and propulsive landing thruster to be used in the SpaceX Dragon 2 (DragonRider) spacecraft. Dragon 2 will have 8 SuperDracos, each one 1.5x as powerful as the Apollo Lunar Module landing engine.
Dragon 2 with integrated SuperDraco's is scheduled for an abort from launch pad test in December 2013. This is an abort capability the Shuttle never had. A few months later (~Q2 2014) a mid-flight high dynamic pressure (Max-Q) launch abort test will be performed. This will set up Dragon 2 for crewed flight tests.
SuperDraco specs
Thrust: 15,000 lbf (67,000 Newtons)
Fuel: mono-methyl hydrazine
Oxidizer: nitrogen tetroxide
Propellant delivery: pressurized gas
Throttle range: 5-100% (unconfirmed)
Time to 100%: 100 ms
Specific impulse (ISP): ~300 seconds
Avionics: 3 string redundant
Test fire (100% throttle)
Provisional SuperDraco pods (NASA Admin. Gen. Charles Bolden, USMC Ret.)
Dragon 2 with integrated SuperDraco's is scheduled for an abort from launch pad test in December 2013. This is an abort capability the Shuttle never had. A few months later (~Q2 2014) a mid-flight high dynamic pressure (Max-Q) launch abort test will be performed. This will set up Dragon 2 for crewed flight tests.
SuperDraco specs
Thrust: 15,000 lbf (67,000 Newtons)
Fuel: mono-methyl hydrazine
Oxidizer: nitrogen tetroxide
Propellant delivery: pressurized gas
Throttle range: 5-100% (unconfirmed)
Time to 100%: 100 ms
Specific impulse (ISP): ~300 seconds
Avionics: 3 string redundant
Test fire (100% throttle)
Provisional SuperDraco pods (NASA Admin. Gen. Charles Bolden, USMC Ret.)