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Dragon entry timeline
SPACEFLIGHT NOW Posted: December 6, 2010
NOTE: Times assume a nominal mission of two orbits.
MET 2 hours, 32 minutes |
Begin De-orbit Burn |
The Dragon spacecraft's Draco thrusters begin firing to slow the vehicle's velocity, allowing it to drop from its orbit 186 miles above Earth. |
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MET 2 hours, 38 minutes |
End De-orbit Burn |
The Draco thrusters finish their lengthy firing to drop the ship from orbit. |
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MET 2 hours, 58 minutes |
Entry Interface |
The Dragon spacecraft falls into the upper reaches of the atmosphere and heat begins to build to between 3,000 and 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit beyond a thermal shield made of PICA-X. |
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MET 3 hours, 9 minutes |
Deploy Drogue Chutes |
Two drogue stabilizing parachutes deploy at an altitude of 45,000 feet to begin slowing the spacecraft. |
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MET 3 hours, 10 minutes |
Deploy Main Chutes |
Three main parachutes unfurl at an altitude of 10,000 feet. Each parachute is 116 feet in diameter. |
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MET 3 hours, 19 minutes |
Splashdown |
The Dragon spacecraft lands in the Pacific Ocean about 500 miles west of Mexico. Recovery boats are positioned to retrieve the floating capsule. |
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Data source: SpaceX
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