SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2
SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2, also known as Dragon C2+, was the second test-flight for SpaceX's uncrewed Cargo Dragon spacecraft. It launched in May 2012 on the third flight of the company's two-stage Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The flight was performed under a funded agreement from NASA as the second Dragon demonstration mission in the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. The purpose of the COTS program is to develop and demonstrate commercial sources for cargo re-supply of the International Space Station (ISS). The Dragon C2+ spacecraft was the first American vehicle to visit the ISS since the end of the Space Shuttle program. It was also the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with another spacecraft.
Dragon approaching ISS on 25 May.
Dragon C102 capsule being lowered onto its trunk at LC-40 on 16 November 2011 during pre-launch processing.
The COTS 2 Falcon 9 successfully launches with the Dragon spacecraft on 22 May 2012.
Dragon spacecraft seen from the ISS during the fly-under on day three, 24 May 2012.
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, commonly referred to as SpaceX, is an American spacecraft manufacturer, launch service provider, defense contractor and satellite communications company headquartered in Hawthorne, California. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and ultimately developing a sustainable colony on Mars. The company currently produces and operates the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets along with the Dragon and Starship spacecraft.
Headquarters in Hawthorne, California
The first successful Falcon 1 launch in September 2008
Launch of Falcon 9 carrying ORBCOMM OG2-M1, July 2014
Falcon 9 first stage on an autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) barge after the first successful landing at sea, SpaceX CRS-8 mission