SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 1

This article is about the 2010 test flight of the Dragon capsule. For the 2019 test flight of the Dragon 2 capsule called "Demo-1", see Crew Dragon Demo-1.
SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 1
Dragon capsule after recovery from ocean landing
Mission typeFlight test
OperatorSpaceX
COSPAR ID2010-066A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.37244Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration3 hours, 19 minutes
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftDragon 1 C101
Spacecraft typeDragon 1
ManufacturerSpaceX
Launch massFalcon 9: 333,400 kg (735,000 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date8 December 2010, 15:43 (2010-12-08UTC15:43) UTC[2]
RocketFalcon 9 v1.0 (B0004)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC‑40
End of mission
Landing date8 December 2010, 19:02 (2010-12-08UTC19:03) UTC[2]
Landing sitePacific Ocean
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Periapsis altitude288 km (179 mi)
Apoapsis altitude301 km (187 mi)
Inclination34.53°
Epoch8 December 2010[3]

SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 1 was the first orbital spaceflight of the Dragon cargo spacecraft, and the second overall flight of the Falcon 9 rocket manufactured by SpaceX. It was also the first demonstration flight for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.[4] The primary mission objectives were to test the orbital maneuvering and reentry of the Dragon capsule. The mission also aimed to test fixes to the Falcon 9 rocket, particularly the unplanned roll of the first stage that occurred during flight 1. Liftoff occurred on 8 December 2010 at 15:43 UTC.[1]

The success of the mission allowed SpaceX to advance its vehicle testing plan. With two back-to-back "near-perfect" Falcon 9 launches and satisfactory tests of the first Dragon capsule, SpaceX "asked NASA to combine objectives laid out for the remaining two COTS missions... and permit a berthing at the ISS during its next flight".[5] This combined test mission was completed in May 2012, and achieved its objectives, opening the path to regular cargo deliveries by Dragon to the International Space Station (ISS) under the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract. Commercial flights started in October 2012 with CRS-1.

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  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference COTS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference aw20101213 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).