View source for Engineering:Dragon C2+

{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = SpaceX Demo Flight 2
| image                 = COTS2Dragon.6.jpg
| image_caption         = Dragon approaching ISS on 25 May.
| insignia              = SpaceX COTS 2 emblem.png

| mission_type          = [[Astronomy:International Space Station|ISS]] resupply
| operator              = [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]]/[[Organization:NASA|NASA]]
| COSPAR_ID             = 2012-027A
| SATCAT                = 38348
| mission_duration      = {{time interval|22 May 2012 07:44:38|31 May 2012 15:42|show=dhm|sep=,}}

| spacecraft            = Dragon C102
| spacecraft_type       = [[Engineering:SpaceX Dragon#Dragon CRS|Dragon CRS]]
| manufacturer          = [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]]
| dry_mass              = 
| launch_mass           = 
| launch_date           = {{start-date|22 May 2012, 07:44:38|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC<ref name="Launch time, 1st day Spaceflightnow" />
| launch_rocket         = [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9]] v1.0
| launch_site           = {{wipe|Cape Canaveral Air Force Station}}, SLC-40
| launch_contractor     = [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]]
| disposal_type         = Recovered
| landing_date          = {{end-date|31 May 2012, 15:42|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC
| landing_site          = {{coord|26|55|12|N|120|42|00|W|type:event}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2012/05/31/history-is-made-as-dragon-splashes-down-safely-in-the-pacific/ |title=History is made as Dragon splashes down safely in the Pacific! |last=Plait |first=Phil |date=31 May 2012 |publisher=Discover Magazine |accessdate=19 June 2012 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6973otfgk?url=http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2012/05/31/history-is-made-as-dragon-splashes-down-safely-in-the-pacific/ |archivedate=12 July 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

| orbit_epoch           = 
| orbit_reference       = [[Astronomy:Geocentric orbit|Geocentric]]
| orbit_regime          = [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|Low Earth]]
| orbit_periapsis       = 
| orbit_apoapsis        = 
| orbit_inclination     = 51.6°
| orbit_period          = 
| apsis                 = gee

| docking               = 
 {{Infobox spaceflight/Dock
   | docking_target     = [[Astronomy:International Space Station|ISS]]
   | docking_type       = berth
   | docking_port       = Harmony [[Nadir|nadir]]
   | capture_date       = 
   | docking_date       = 25 May 2012, 16:02&nbsp;UTC 
   | undocking_date     = 31 May 2012, 09:49&nbsp;UTC 
   | release_date       =
   | time_docked        = 5&nbsp;days 16&nbsp;hours 5&nbsp;minutes<ref name="Departure time Spaceflight Now" /> 
 }}

| cargo_mass            = 
| cargo_mass_press      = 
| cargo_mass_unpress    = 
| cargo_mass_fuel       = 
| cargo_mass_gas        = 
| cargo_mass_water      = 

| programme             = [[Astronomy:Commercial Resupply Services|Commercial Resupply Services]]
| previous_mission      = [[Engineering:SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 1|SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 1]]
| next_mission          = [[Engineering:SpaceX CRS-1|SpaceX CRS-1]]
}}

'''SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2''' ('''COTS 2'''), also known as '''Dragon C2+''', was the second test-flight for [[Company:SpaceX|SpaceX]]'s uncrewed [[Engineering:SpaceX Dragon|Cargo Dragon]] spacecraft, launched on the third flight of the company's two-stage [[Engineering:Falcon 9|Falcon 9]] launch vehicle. The flight was performed under a funded agreement from [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] as the second Dragon demonstration mission in the [[Astronomy:Commercial Orbital Transportation Services|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 [[Astronomy:International Space Station|International Space Station]] (ISS). The Dragon C2+ spacecraft was the first American vehicle to visit the ISS since the end of the [[Engineering:Space Shuttle program|Space Shuttle program]]. It was also the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with another spacecraft.<ref name="Day 4 capture & berthing SpaceflightNow" />

Initially, the objectives of the C2+ mission were to have been accomplished by two separate missions; Dragon C2 would have carried out a fly-by of the ISS, practiced rendezvous maneuvers and communications with the station, before returning to Earth. A second mission, Dragon C3, would have been the first mission to berth with the station. In July 2011, NASA gave tentative approval to combine the objectives of the two missions. In December 2011, NASA formally approved the merger of the COTS 2 and 3 missions into the Dragon C2+ flight. There were several launch delays, the last one occurring on 19 May 2012, due to a launch abort during the last second before liftoff.

Dragon C2+ successfully launched from Cape Canaveral on 22 May 2012. During the mission's first three days all of the COTS 2 objectives were successfully completed. The mission's COTS 3 phase began on 25 May when Dragon rendezvoused again with the ISS and then was successfully captured using the Canadarm2. It was berthed to the station later that day, using the robotic arm. Dragon stayed for almost six days during which the astronauts unloaded cargo, and then reloaded Dragon with Earth-bound cargo. On 31 May, Dragon unberthed from the ISS, its capsule landed in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast and was recovered. All the objectives of the mission were successfully completed, and the Falcon 9-Dragon system became certified to start regular cargo delivery missions to the ISS under the [[Astronomy:Commercial Resupply Services|Commercial Resupply Services]] program.

== History ==

[[File:COTS combined demo 2 & 3 spacecraft being moved towards trunk.jpg|thumb|left|COTS 2 Dragon capsule being lowered onto its trunk at LC-40 on 16 November 2011 during pre-launch processing.]]

NASA and SpaceX signed a contract for COTS cargo resupply services on 18 August 2006.<ref name="COTS NASA Presser" /><ref name="SpaceX Presser 20060818" /> The agreement called for three test-flights, under the COTS phase 1 demonstration program.<ref name="SpaceX COTS2&3" /> The first COTS mission, COTS Demo Flight1, was completed successfully on 8 December 2010, when the Dragon capsule was successfully recovered from orbit, making it the first commercially built and operated spacecraft to ever do so.<ref name="dailymail 2010-12-09" /> Due to the mission's success, SpaceX asked NASA to combine the COTS 2 ISS flyby flight, which would have seen a Dragon spacecraft approach the station but stay about 10&nbsp;km away from it, and the COTS 3 flight that would berth with the ISS.<ref name="SpaceX COTS2&3" /> At a 15 July 2011 meeting, NASA tentatively approved combining the two COTS missions to accelerate the program into the operational supply mission phase in 2012.<ref name="Av Week 2011-07-20" /> On 9 December, NASA officially approved the merger of the COTS 2 and 3 missions into the renamed Dragon C2+ flight.<ref name="Spaceflight Now 20111209" /><ref name="7 May launch" />

The Falcon 9 launch vehicle arrived at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral, Florida facilities at Launch Complex 40 (LC-40) in July 2011.<ref name="Tentative COTS merger" /> The mission's Dragon spacecraft arrived at the launch site on 23 October 2011.<ref name="Dragon at SLC40" /> On 1 March 2012, a fueled countdown test called a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR), was successfully completed for the COTS 2 mission.<ref name="Will" /> On 16 April its Flight Readiness Review (FRR) was completed by NASA and stated that a 30 April launch was feasible.<ref name="Will" /><ref name="Flight Readiness Review" /> Following the review SpaceX announced a launch delay, due to continued flight software testing issues, and the next major mission milestone was the successful Falcon 9 static-fire engine test on 30 April.<ref name="Static Fire" /> NASA approved Dragon's flight software on 11 May, solving an issue that had previously been responsible for several launch date postponements.<ref name="Software approved 11 May" /> On 17 May, the mission passed its final launch review and the Falcon 9/Dragon were erected on the launch pad in preparation for the launch.<ref name="nasa.gov COTS 2 News" /> The first launch attempt, on 19 May, was aborted at T-00:00:00.5 due to a pressure issue in one of the Falcon 9's engines.<ref name="Launch Abort 1 20120519" /> The launch window was nearly instantaneous, for fuel-efficiency reasons, leaving little margin for error due to fuel consumption restrictions caused by the extra manoeuvres required to certify the Dragon spaceship before attempting to berth with the ISS.<ref name="Achieving 1st-day milestones NASAspaceflight" /> Dragon's launch window could have been longer, but the extra fuel required to catch the ISS would have likely surpassed safety margins, due to the pre-berthing tests.<ref name="Late May launch dates NASAspaceflight.com" /><ref name="Launch Window News Conference" />

=== Original plan ===
Under the original Dragon testing plan, the C2 and C3 missions would have been flown instead of C2+. C2 would have rendezvoused with the ISS, however it would not have performed the capture and berthing part of the mission. The third test-flight was intended to be Dragon's first mission to berth with the ISS. Following a 15 July 2011 meeting between SpaceX and NASA officials, the COTS 3 mission objectives were tentatively combined with the proposed COTS 2 demonstration flight, due to the Falcon 9's two previously successful launches, and the [[Astronomy:Space Transportation System|Space Transportation System]]'s shuttle fleet recently being retired.<ref name="Space News 2011-07-22" />

On 9 December 2011, NASA formally approved the two missions' merger, and set the initial launch date for 7 February 2012.<ref name="Space.com 20111209" /> Several delays occurred between December to May 2012, mostly due to SpaceX needing to further test hardware and software.<ref name="7 May launch" /> The Dragon C2+ mission successfully launched on 22 May, from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).<ref name="Dragon C2+ launch NASA Spaceflight.com" /> It successfully completed all COTS 2 mission objectives, then berthed with the ISS, and completed all COTS 3 mission objectives, before successfully splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, off the California coast on 31 May.<ref name="Dragon C2+ Splashdown CBS" /> Since all COTS objectives were met during the Dragon C2+ flight in May 2012, the need for COTS Demo Flight 3 was eliminated.<ref name="COTS Goals Completed WSJ" />

== Mission timeline ==

=== Flight day 1, launch (22 May) ===

[[File:COTS 2 Falcon 9 launches - close.jpg|thumb|The COTS 2 Falcon 9 successfully launches with the Dragon spacecraft on 22 May 2012.]]

Launch occurred at 03:44 EDT (07:44 UTC) on 22 May 2012.<ref name="Launch CBC " /> This was the first time a Falcon 9 was launched at night.<ref name="nasaspaceflight 2012-05-05">
{{cite news |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/05/iss-schedule-dragon-launch-19-may-future-manifest-outlook/ |title=ISS schedule slips Dragon launch to May 19 – future manifest outlook |last=Harding |first=Pete |date=May 5, 2012 |quote=...the first ever night launch of a Falcon 9 rocket. |work=NASASpaceFlight.com (not affiliated with NASA) |accessdate=May 5, 2012}}
</ref> After lift-off, main engine shut-off occurred at approximately the 180-second mark, and the first stage began to be separated. Following stage separation, the second stage ignited.<ref name="Late May launch dates NASAspaceflight.com" /> The Dragon's nose cone was then jettisoned.<ref name="Late May launch dates NASAspaceflight.com" /> And at about nine minutes into the flight, the second-stage engine shut-off occurred and separated from the Dragon spacecraft.<ref name="Late May launch dates NASAspaceflight.com" /> The Dragon spacecraft successfully deployed its solar arrays at about 13 minutes into the flight.<ref name="Late May launch dates NASAspaceflight.com" /><ref name="Launch BBC 22 May" />

The initial COTS 2 tests began during this flight segment, when Dragon performed a test of its Absolute GPS (AGPS) system, using global positioning system satellites to determine its location.<ref name="Achieving 1st-day milestones NASAspaceflight" /> Next, Dragon opened its bay door which housed its grapple fixture and relative navigation sensors, a thermal imager and the LIDAR based DragonEye.<ref name="Day 2 and 3 Spaceflight Now" /> After a checkout of these sensors was completed, Dragon demonstrated its ability to abort during an approach, first with a continuous firing of its Draco engines and then with a pulsed firing.<ref name="Day 2 and 3 Spaceflight Now" /> A free drift demonstration then began, allowing the spacecraft to float freely without using its thrusters which would normally correct its orbital path.<ref name="Achieving 1st-day milestones NASAspaceflight" /><ref name="Day 2 and 3 Spaceflight Now" />

=== Flight day 2 (23 May) ===

On flight day two, Dragon began a series of thruster burns, called "height adjustment" burn (HA-1), and "co-elliptical" burn (CE-1).<ref name="Achieving 1st-day milestones NASAspaceflight" /><ref name="Day 2 and 3 Spaceflight Now" />{{efn|A height adjustment burn is a thruster burn that changes the Dragon spacecraft's altitude, while the co-elliptical burn changes its shape. "Coelliptic orbits can be defined as two orbits that are coplanar and confocal. A property of coelliptic orbits is that the difference in magnitude between aligned radius vectors is nearly the same, regardless of where within the orbits they are positioned. For this and other reasons, coelliptic orbits are useful in rendezvous".<ref name="Co-elliptical orbits explained" />}} The CE-1 burn changed Dragon's orbit characteristics by placing it into a circular orbit around the Earth.<ref name="Achieving 1st-day milestones NASAspaceflight" /><ref name="Day 2 and 3 Spaceflight Now" /> The HA-1 burn raised Dragon's altitude to within a few kilometres below the ISS, in preparation for the next day's rendezvous demonstration.<ref name="Day 2 Space.com" />

=== Flight day 3 (24 May) ===

[[File:COTS 2 Dragon - 2.4 km below ISS - uncropped.jpg|thumb|Dragon spacecraft seen from the ISS during the fly-under on day three, 24 May 2012.]]

On flight day three, Dragon performed height adjustment burn 2 (HA-2) at 07:58 UTC, to get within about {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} of the ISS, the "communication zone."{{sfn|COTS 2 Mission Press Kit|p=13}}<ref name="Day 3 done NSN 20120534" /> At 08:43 UTC co-elliptical burn 2 (CE-2) raised its orbit to nearly the same plane as the ISS, and brought it to within {{convert|2500|m|abbr=on}} below the station.<ref name="Day 3 done NSN 20120534" />{{sfn|COTS 2 Mission Press Kit|p=10}} During this "fly-under," Dragon established communications with the station using its COTS Ultra-high frequency Communication Unit (CUCU).<ref name="Day 3 done NSN 20120534" /> Dragon performed a test of its Relative GPS (RGPS) system, which used the relative positions of the spacecraft to the space station to determine its location.<ref name="Flight Plan Space.com" /><ref name="Day 3 Space.com 20120524" /> Also, using the Crew Command Panel (CCP) on board the [[Organization:Cupola (ISS module)|Cupola module]], the Expedition 31 crew briefly interacted with Dragon, monitoring the fly-under and just before 11:00 UTC sending a command to Dragon to turn on its strobe light.<ref name="Day 3 Space.com 20120524" /> At about 11:25 UTC the Dragon made its closest approach to the ISS.<ref name="Day 3 Space.com 20120524" /> Once the fly-under was completed, Dragon fired its thrusters to begin a loop out in front, above and then behind the station in a racetrack oval pattern at a distance between {{convert|7|to|10|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Day 3 done NSN 20120534" /> The Dragon performed a final burn for the day, at 11:57 UTC, that moved it away from the ISS, and set the spacecraft up for a re-rendezvous with the station the next day.<ref name="Day 3 Space.com 20120524" /> After Dragon cleared the station's vicinity, NASA approved the berthing to occur on day 4, meaning all the original COTS 2 mission requirements were met.<ref name="Day 3 Universe Today" /><ref name="CBS coverage of Day 3" />

=== Flight day 4 (25 May) ===
[[File:COTS2 Dragon is berthed.jpg|thumb|The Dragon spacecraft being berthed to the International Space Station on day four, 25 May 2012.]]

On flight day four, Dragon performed HA-3 and CE-3 thruster burns to bring it {{convert|2.5|km|abbr=on}} below the station once again.<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525" /> NASA's Mission Control Houston team then gave SpaceX the go ahead to perform another set of burns that brought Dragon to within {{convert|1400|m|abbr=on}} of the station.<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525" /> Another decision was made at Mission Control Houston, and then Dragon moved to {{convert|250|m|abbr=on}} from the station.<ref name="Day 4 initial Space.com" /> At this point, the COTS 3 demonstration objectives began.<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525" /> Dragon's DragonEye system demonstrated and confirmed that its position and velocity were accurate by comparing its LIDAR image to its thermal imagers.<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525" /> A series of checkout maneuvers commenced. The SpaceX flight control team in Hawthorne, California, commanded the spacecraft to approach the station from its hold position.<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525" /> It moved from {{convert|250|to|220|m|ft|abbr=on}} below the station.<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525" /> The crew, using the command panel, then instructed Dragon to retreat, and the spacecraft moved back down to the hold point.<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525" /> This test ensured that Dragon's range to the ISS was accurate, and that the flight control team saw the spacecraft's acceleration and braking perform as expected.<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525" /> It was in a holding pattern at {{convert|250|m|abbr=on}}, and once again the Dragon flight team commanded it to approach the station.<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525" /> At the {{convert|220|m|abbr=on}} position, the crew commanded the vehicle to hold.<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525" />

Another decision was made in Houston, and Dragon was permitted to enter the Keep-Out Sphere (KOS), a virtual area {{convert|200|m|abbr=on}} around the station intended to prevent collision with the orbiting complex.<ref name="Day 4 updates Petit quote Space.com" /> Two additional and non-planned holds occurred: one at {{convert|150|m|abbr=on}} to further verify LIDAR; and finally one by SpaceX at {{convert|70|m|abbr=on}} to re-configure the LIDARs.<ref name="Day 4 capture & berth G&M" /> Stray reflections from the JAXA JEM module's External Facility (EF) caused interference with the LIDAR;<ref name="Day 4 initial Space.com" /> SpaceX decided to narrow the LIDAR's field-of-view to eliminate the reflections.<ref name="Day 4 capture & berth G&M" />

Dragon proceeded to a position {{convert|30|m|abbr=on}} from the station and automatically came to a stop for a hold.<ref name="Day 4 capture & berth G&M" />  Another decision was made, and then Dragon proceeded to the capture point position at {{convert|9|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Day 4 capture & berth G&M" /> A final decision was made, and the Mission Control Houston team notified the crew they were go to capture Dragon.<ref name="Day 4 capture & berth G&M" /> At that point, from the Cupola module, Expedition 31 crew member Don Pettit used the station's Mobile Servicing System (Canadarm2) to reach out and grapple the Dragon spacecraft at 13:56 UTC over Western Australia.<ref name="Day 4 capture Universe Today" /> Upon capture, Pettit jokingly told ISS CAPCOM Megan McArthur, "Looks like we got us a Dragon by the tail. We're thinking this [[Simulation|sim]] went really well, we're ready to turn it around and do it for real."<ref name="Day 4 updates Petit quote Space.com" /> Pettit, with the help of fellow crewmember André Kuipers, guided and then berthed Dragon to the Harmony module's Earth-facing [[Engineering:Common Berthing Mechanism|Common Berthing Mechanism]] at 16:02 UTC.<ref name="Day 4 capture & berthing BBC" />

=== Flight day 5 and remainder of mission (26 to 31 May) ===
[[File:TVCOTS2 opening hatch.jpg|left|thumb|Don Pettit opening Dragon's hatch on 26 May.]]
On flight day five, after evaluating air quality inside Dragon, the crew opened the hatch between Dragon and the station at 05:53 EDT (09:53 UTC).<ref name="Day 5 Spaceflight Now" /> Pettit and Russian cosmonaut and station commander Oleg Kononenko were the first crew members to enter the Dragon.<ref name="Day 5 Hatch opened Space.com" /> They wore protective goggles and breathing masks as they performed further tests to make sure the atmosphere inside the capsule was safe, which it was, though Pettit noted that "the inside smells like a brand new car."<ref name="Day 5 Hatch open CBC news" />

Dragon spent approximately six days berthed to the space station, allowing astronauts time to unload its cargo.<ref name="Launch & schedule Space News 20120522" /> They then reloaded it with Earth-bound cargo.<ref name="Day 4 and beyond NYT" /> On 27 May, while being controlled by Mission Control Houston, [[Engineering:Dextre|Dextre]] was used to survey Dragon's trunk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/05/canadas-dextre-spacexs-dragon-demo-crs-operations/|title=Canada’s Dextre meets SpaceX’s Dragon to demo CRS operations|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=27 May 2012|publisher=NASASpaceFlight (not associated with NASA)|accessdate=21 June 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Space X water3.JPG|thumb|right|Recovery of the COTS 2 Dragon on 31 May.]]
On its final day at the station, 31 May, the crew unberthed Dragon from Harmony using the Canadarm2 at 05:49 EDT (09:49 UTC).<ref name="Departure time Spaceflight Now" /> The arm moved Dragon about {{convert|10|m|abbr=on}} away from the station and released it.<ref name="Departure time Spaceflight Now" /> Dragon then performed a series of engine burns that placed it on a trajectory to take it away from the vicinity of the station.<ref name="overview" /> Mission Control Houston then confirmed that Dragon was on a safe path away from the complex.<ref name="overview" /> SpaceX instructed Dragon to close its bay door and approximately four hours after Dragon left the station, it began to conduct its nine-minute-long deorbit burn.<ref name="Flight Plan Space.com" /> The Dragon capsule jettisoned its trunk and began to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.<ref name="overview" /> Its heatshield protected it during most of the re-entry and when low enough in altitude its two [[Engineering:Drogue parachute|drogue parachute]]s were deployed, followed by its three main parachutes.<ref name=ars /> The Dragon capsule splashed down into the Pacific Ocean about {{convert|900|km|abbr=on}} from the Baja Peninsula at  approximately 11:42 EDT (15:42 UTC) and was recovered by a small fleet of recovery vessels from the contractor hired by SpaceX, American Marine.<ref name=cnet/><ref name="Splashdown" /><ref name="Splashdown BBC News" />

=== Capsule journey post-mission ===
On 5 June, the Dragon capsule arrived at the Port of Los Angeles and was transported by truck to McGregor, Texas.<ref name="Dragon back on land"/> There its toxic maneuvering propellent was removed and on 13 June its cargo was transferred into NASA's possession.<ref name="Bolden's trip to SpaceX">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/jun/HQ_12-200_Bolden_SpaceX_McGregor.html | title = NASA Administrator Bolden Views Historic SpaceX Dragon Capsule | date = 2012-06-13 | publisher = NASA | accessdate = 2012-06-13}}</ref> The cargo was then transported to the [[Organization:Johnson Space Center|Johnson Space Center]] in Houston for further processing.<ref name="Bolden's trip to SpaceX"/> On 18 July 2012, the COTS 2 Dragon was temporarily displayed to an invited audience inside a tent, in front of the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. building.<ref name ="Dragon on Display">{{cite press | url = http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/669002main_Space%20X%20Dragon%20Viewing%20Reception%2007.18.12.pdf | title = Dragon Spacecraft Viewing and Reception on July 18, 2012 | last = Greenstone | first = Adam |date=2012-07-17 | publisher = NASA | accessdate = 2012-07-23}}</ref> On 7 September 2012, Steve Jurvetson, a member on the board of directors at SpaceX, reported that the C2+ capsule was undergoing post-flight analysis back in McGregor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/7978144836|title=The Magic Dragon|last=Jurvetson|first=Steve|date=7 September 2012|accessdate=14 September 2012}}</ref> Later in 2012 the Dragon capsule was expected to be transported back to Hawthorne, California.<ref name="Bolden's trip to SpaceX"/> During the post-flight press conference, the CEO and CTO of SpaceX [[Biography:Elon Musk|Elon Musk]] stated that there are no definitive plans for the capsule but that he would like to see it taken on a tour around the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z7RXVym9DY|title=Dragon: Flown Home! |date=2012-05-31|publisher=NASA|accessdate=2012-06-18}}</ref> The capsule was displayed at the 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, California from 11 June to 13 June.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/06/12/space-x-e3/|title=Visualized: SpaceX Dragon capsule at E3 |last=Heater|first=Brian|date=12 June 2013|publisher=Engadget|accessdate=16 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newspacewatch.com/articles/dragon-on-display-at-la-e3-expo.html |title= Dragon on display at LA E3 Expo |last=Lindsey|first=Clark |date=10 June 2013 |publisher=NewSpace Watch |accessdate=16 June 2013 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The historic Dragon C2+ capsule was ultimately placed on permanent display hanging from the ceiling at SpaceX headquarters.

On 23 August 2012, NASA announced that SpaceX and their Falcon 9-Dragon system was certified to begin their cargo delivery contract.<ref name=certified/> The $1.6 billion contract calls for at least 12 resupply missions.<ref name="Dragon Operational" /> The [[Engineering:SpaceX CRS-1|first of those flights]] was launched on 7 October 2012.

== Payload ==
[[File:Inside the Dragon (capsule).jpg|thumb|left|The interior of the Dragon spacecraft on 26 May, showing some of the delivered cargo.]]
The pressurized section carried {{convert|525|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of cargo to the ISS, which included food, water, clothing, cargo bags, computer hardware, the NanoRacks Module 9 (student experiments and scientific gear) and other miscellaneous cargo.<ref name="Manifest" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/672214main_1-Hartman_July12_NAC_Final_508.pdf|title=International Space Station Program Status|last=Hartman|first=Dan|date=23 July 2012|publisher=NASA|accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref> No unpressurized cargo was delivered on this mission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/downloads/COTS-2-Press-Kit-5-14-12.pdf|title=COTS 2 Mission Press Kit|date=14 May 2012|publisher=SpaceX/NASA|accessdate=23 August 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717025349/http://www.spacex.com/downloads/COTS-2-Press-Kit-5-14-12.pdf|archivedate=17 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

An unannounced addition to the cargo manifest, made public after the launch, was a small canister, affixed to the second stage's top, containing the 1-gram ash remains of over 300 people including [[Astronomy:Project Mercury|Project Mercury]] Astronaut Gordon Cooper, and James Doohan, the actor who played Scotty on the television show ''Star Trek'' in the 1960s.<ref name="Scotty's remains flown" /> The remains were flown semi-secretly by [[Company:Celestis|Celestis]], a company that has flown burial canisters in the past on SpaceX's [[Engineering:Falcon 1|Falcon 1]] launch vehicle.<ref name="Celestis Redo (AP) 20120522" /> The second stage and the burial canister remained in the initial orbit Dragon C2+ was inserted to,<ref name="Scotty to burn up in a year CBS" /> and burned up in the Earth's atmosphere a month later.<ref>http://www.heavens-above.com/SatInfo.aspx?satid=38349&lat=0&lng=0&alt=0&tz=UCT</ref>
[[File:Returned cargo - COTS 2.jpg|thumb|right|Some of the returned cargo is seen in McGregor, Texas on 13 June 2012.]]
On its return to Earth, Dragon brought back {{convert|665|kg|lb|abbr=on}} worth of pressurized cargo back to Earth; the cargo included experiment samples, experiment hardware, ISS' systems hardware and Extravehicular Mobility Unit hardware.<ref name="Manifest" /><ref name = "12 July 2012 ISS Program Status" /> One of the experiments returned by Dragon was the Shear History Extensional Rheology Experiment (SHERE) administered by NASA's [[Organization:Glenn Research Center|Glenn Research Center]].<ref name="Return Cargo 20120522" /> SHERE investigated rotational stress effects on polymer fluids.<ref name="Return Cargo 20120522" /> Items from SHERE included a toolbox, fluid modules, stowage trays, cables and a keyboard, and science data recordings.<ref name="Return Cargo 20120522" /> Another experiment returning with Dragon was the Multi-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus (MDCA), and the Combustion Integrated Rack-Fluids and Combustion Facility (CIR).<ref name="Return Cargo 20120522" /> The return flight was planned to carry {{convert|660|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

Another experiment returning at the end of this mission was the Material Science Research Rack (MSRR), which investigated microgravity experiments on aluminum-alloy rods.<ref name="Return Cargo 20120522" /> Returning from MSRR were cartridges from thermal and vacuum investigations done on metal rods in the SETA-2 and the MSL-CETSOL and MICAST studies.<ref name="Return Cargo 20120522" />

Originally, SpaceX also intended to launch two secondary payload satellites from the Dragon sometime in the first 72 hours after launch;<ref name="Av Week 2011-10-10" /> however, on 28 December 2011, SpaceX and [[Company:Orbcomm|Orbcomm]] announced a revised schedule that dropped the satellite deployment from the Dragon C2+ flight plan.<ref name="AV Week 2012-01-05" />

== Delays ==

COTS Demo Flight 2 was to take place as early as 2010, but was delayed by internal SpaceX issues; and then in 2011 by NASA issues.<ref name="Av Week 2011-10-06" /> As planned on the manifests, COTS 2 was to fly in June 2011.<ref name="Spaceflight Now 20111209" /> It was delayed to late 2011, and then followed by further delay by the failure of the Russian [[Engineering:Progress M-12M|Progress 44]] cargo resupply vessel in August; this incident could have forced the ISS to be temporarily abandoned in mid-November.<ref name="AvWeek 2011-11-17" /> Another delay was caused due to the berthing procedure which requires two ISS personnel to be trained and available for the procedure; in early December 2011 only one person was trained to berth the Dragon.<ref name="NASASPACFLIGHT.com 20111205" /> The launch date moved as follows: 6 June 2011, 8 October 30 November and 19 December;<ref name="Spaceflight Now" /> and 7 January 2012, 30 April, and 7 May.<ref name="Spaceflight Now" />

With a busy launch schedule at Cape Canaveral, and with other missions to the ISS, NASA and SpaceX did not announce a new date until mid-March for a 30 April launch.<ref name="Space 20120315" /><ref name="report" /> More testing was required by SpaceX for the computer code that controlled berthing, causing another delay to be announced on 23 April, delaying the launch to 7 May at 09:38 EDT (13:38 UTC).<ref name="NASA Launch News" /><ref name="Delay to May" /> A further delay was announced by NASA, pushing the launch to sometime in May.<ref name="NASA Launch News" /> On 4 May, the new targeted launch date was set for 19 May at 04:55 EDT/08:55 UTC. The launch proceeded nominally but was automatically aborted at T−00:00:00.5 when pressure in engine number 5 rose to unacceptable limits.<ref name="Valve Replacement" /> After making repairs, the launch date was set for 22 May at 03:44 EDT (07:44 UTC), with a secondary backup date of 23 May at 03:22 EDT (07:22 UTC) if a longer delay became necessary.<ref name="Late May launch dates NASAspaceflight.com" />

== Launch attempts ==

{{LaunchAttempt
|df=yes| date1 = 2012-05-19 08:55:26 UTC
| result1 = Abort
| reason1 = Technical
| decision_date1 = 2012-05-19T08:55:25 UTC
| decision_clock1= −0:00:00.5
| weathergo1 = 80 %
| notes1 =Launch was automatically aborted with higher than acceptable pressure detected in engine 5.<ref name="Faulty Valve" /> This was due to a faulty [[Engineering:Check valve|check valve]], which was then replaced later that day.<ref name="Faulty Valve" />
| date2 = 2012-05-22T07:44:38 UTC
| result2 = Success
| reason2 =
| decision_date2 = 
| decision_clock2= 
| weathergo2 = 90 %
| notes2 = Nominal launch, inserted Dragon into preliminary orbit, nine minutes and 48 seconds after launch.<ref name="Launch time, 1st day Spaceflightnow" />
}}

== Gallery ==

<gallery perrow="6">
File:COTS combined demo 2 & 3 spacecraft uncropped.jpg|COTS 2 Dragon capsule in SpaceX hangar at LC-40 on 23 October 2011.
File:KSC-loading of Dragon-with workers.jpg|SpaceX technicians stow cargo in the COTS 2 Dragon at LC-40 on 4 April 2012.
File:Don Pettit practicing for Dragon mission_-_side.jpg|Astronauts Donald Pettit (foreground) and André Kuipers practice grappling Dragon in a simulation aboard the ISS on 11 April 2012.
File:COTS 2 Dragon processing.jpg|Dragon with trunk pontoons installed on 26 April 2012.
File:COTS 2 Falcon9Dragon_-_May 18.jpg|The Falcon 9/Dragon vertical at launch pad on 18 May 2012 in preparation for the launch.
File:The Falcon 9 Dragon on 19 May 2012 minutes after abort.png|At launch pad around 05:00 EST on 19 May 2012 (five minutes after automated abort). Strongback is being reapplied.
File:Launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 COTS Demo 2.ogv|Falcon 9, Flight 3, launch on 22 May 2012 (video).
File:Dragon C2+ approaching and berthing with ISS 2012-05-25.ogg|Dragon C2+, flight day four, berthing with the ISS on 25 May 2012.
File:ISS-31 SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is berthed to the Harmony node with rays of sunshine and the thin blue atmosphere of Earth.jpg|Dextre inspecting Dragon's trunk on 27 May 2012
File:ISS crew inside Dragon C2.jpg|[[Astronomy:Expedition 31|Expedition 31]] posing inside of Dragon on 29 May 2012.
File:Post-flight Dragon capsule.jpg|The recovered Dragon C2+ capsule in McGregor, Texas on 13 June 2012.
File:ISS from 2012-05-25 to 2012-05-31.jpg|Artist's rendering of Dragon berthed to the ISS
</gallery>

== Notes ==

{{notes}}

==See also==
* List of Falcon 9 launches
* [[Engineering:Cygnus Orb-D1|Cygnus Orb-D1]]

== References ==

{{reflist
| colwidth = 30em
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-->

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<ref name="Day 3 Universe Today">
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 |publisher=Universe Today 
 |accessdate=24 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67uChXpkg?url=http://www.universetoday.com/95392/tally-ho-dragon/ 
 |archivedate=24 May 2012 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="CBS coverage of Day 3">
{{cite web
 |work=CBS News 
 |date=24 May 2012 
 |last=Harwood 
 |first=William 
 |title=Dragon capsule breezes through station flyby 
 |location=New York 
 |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/home/spacenews/files/spacex_cots2_flyby.html 
 |accessdate=24 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67ulHoxQ5?url=http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/home/spacenews/files/spacex_cots2_flyby.html 
 |archivedate=25 May 2012
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 4 initial NS.com 20120525">
{{cite web
 |last=Bergin 
 |first=Chris 
 |title=SpaceX’s Dragon berthed on the ISS to complete historic arrival 
 |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/05/spacexs-dragon-historic-attempt-berth-with-iss/ 
 |accessdate=25 May 2012 
 |work=NASA Spaceflight.com 
 |date=25 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67wGn9huK?url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/05/spacexs-dragon-historic-attempt-berth-with-iss/ 
 |archivedate=26 May 2012
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 4 initial Space.com">
{{cite web
 |last=Moskowitz 
 |first=Clara 
 |title=Private Dragon Capsule Arrives at Space Station in Historic First 
 |url=http://www.space.com/15874-private-dragon-capsule-space-station-arrival.html 
 |accessdate=25 May 2012 
 |work=Space.com 
 |date=25 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67va9Id8o?url=http://www.space.com/15874-private-dragon-capsule-space-station-arrival.html 
 |archivedate=25 May 2012 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 4 updates Petit quote Space.com">
{{cite web
 |title=Space X To Space Station: Complete Coverage 
 |url=http://www.space.com/15434-private-rocket-launches.html 
 |accessdate=25 May 2012 
 |work=Space.com 
 |date=25 May 2012 
 |author=Space.com Staff 
 |location=New York 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67wHgaNRn?url=http://www.space.com/15434-private-rocket-launches.html 
 |archivedate=26 May 2012
 |quote=See the 9:58&nbsp;am update. 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 4 capture & berth G&M">
{{cite news
 |last=Klotz 
 |first=Irene 
 |title=First privately owned capsule docks at International Space Station 
 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/first-privately-owned-capsule-docks-at-international-space-station/article2443445/ 
 |accessdate=25 May 2012 
 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail 
 |agency=Reuters 
 |date=25 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67wDOoUV1?url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/first-privately-owned-capsule-docks-at-international-space-station/article2443445/ 
 |archivedate=26 May 2012
 |location=Toronto 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 4 capture Universe Today">
{{cite web
| last = Kremer
| first = Ken
| title = Dragon Grappled for History Making Docking at Station Today&nbsp;– May 25
| url = http://www.universetoday.com/95402/dragon-grappled-for-history-making-docking-at-station-today-may-25/
| work = Universe Today
| accessdate = 25 May 2012
| date = 25 May 2012
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 4 capture & berthing BBC">
{{cite web
 |last=Amos 
 |first=Jonathan 
 |title=Station grabs SpaceX Dragon ship 
 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18195772 
 |accessdate=25 May 2012 
 |work=BBC News 
 |date=25 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67wLK5uSv?url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18195772 
 |archivedate=26 May 2012 
 |location=London 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 5 Spaceflight Now">
{{cite web
 |last=Clark 
 |first=Stephen 
 |title=Space station crew opens door to commercial spaceship 
 |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/003/120526hatch/ 
 |accessdate=26 May 2012 
 |work=Spaceflight Now 
 |date=26 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67xfnt9XN?url=http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/003/120526hatch/ 
 |archivedate=27 May 2012
 |location=England 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 5 Hatch opened Space.com">
{{cite web
 |last=Moskowitz 
 |first=Clara 
 |title=Enter the Dragon: Astronauts Open 1st Private Capsule at Space Station 
 |url=http://www.space.com/15885-spacex-dragon-capsule-station-astronauts.html 
 |accessdate=26 May 2012 
 |work=Space.com 
 |date=26 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67wna5JE1?url=http://www.space.com/15885-spacex-dragon-capsule-station-astronauts.html 
 |archivedate=26 May 2012 
 |location=New York 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 5 Hatch open CBC news">
{{cite web
 |author=Canadian Press 
 |work=CBC News 
 |date=26 May 2012 
 |title=Astronauts enter world's 1st private supply ship: Dragon capsule to remain docked at space station until mid-week 
 |location=Toronto 
 |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/05/26/spacex-capsule-opened.html 
 |accessdate=26 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67xdaK8rX?url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/05/26/spacex-capsule-opened.html 
 |archivedate=27 May 2012
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Launch & schedule Space News 20120522">
{{cite web
 |author=Space News Staff 
 |title=SpaceX Falcon 9 Delivers Dragon to Orbit 
 |url=http://www.spacenews.com/launch/120522-spacex-falcon-delivers-dragon-orbit.html 
 |work=Space News 
 |publisher=Imaginova Corp 
 |accessdate=22 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67qgNyDT5?url=http://www.spacenews.com/launch/120522-spacex-falcon-delivers-dragon-orbit.html 
 |url-status=live 
 |archivedate=22 May 2012 
 |location=Springfield, Virginia 
 |date=22 May 2012 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 4 and beyond NYT">
{{cite news
 |last        = Chang
 |first       = Kenneth
 |title       = First Private Craft Docks With Space Station
 |url         = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/science/space/space-x-capsule-docks-at-space-station.html
 |accessdate  = 26 May 2012
 |newspaper   = The New York Times
 |date        = 26 May 2012
 |archiveurl  = https://www.webcitation.org/67wTMzTBX?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/science/space/space-x-capsule-docks-at-space-station.html
 |archivedate = 26 May 2012
 |location    = New York
 |page        = A12
 |url-status     = dead
 |df          = dmy-all
}}
</ref>

<ref name="overview">
{{cite web
| url = http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/641019main_pk_overview.pdf
| title = SpaceX Demonstration Mission: Mission Overview
|date=April 2012
| publisher = NASA
| accessdate = 20 April 2012
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Splashdown">
{{cite web
 |last=Moskowitz 
 |first=Clara 
 |date=31 May 2012 
 |title=SpaceX Dragon Capsule Splashes Down in Pacific, Ending Historic Test Flight 
 |work=Space.com 
 |location=New York 
 |url=http://www.space.com/15939-spacex-dragon-capsule-landing-pacific.html 
 |accessdate=31 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/684gT6Bk0?url=http://www.space.com/15939-spacex-dragon-capsule-landing-pacific.html 
 |archivedate=31 May 2012 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Splashdown BBC News">
{{cite web
 |last=Amos 
 |first=Johnathan 
 |date=31 May 2012 
 |title=Splashdown for SpaceX Dragon spacecraft 
 |work=BBC News 
 |location=London 
 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18273811 
 |accessdate=31 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/684lo8ouy?url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18273811 
 |archivedate=31 May 2012 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Day 4 capture & berthing SpaceflightNow">
{{cite web
 |last=Clark 
 |first=Stephen 
 |title=First commercial cargo ship arrives at space station 
 |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/003/120525arrival/ 
 |accessdate=25 May 2012 
 |work=Spaceflight Now 
 |date=25 February 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67wMYkKMu?url=http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/003/120525arrival/ 
 |archivedate=26 May 2012
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Manifest">
{{cite press release
| url = http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/640968main_spacex_manifest_042012.pdf
| title = SpaceX-D Manifest USOS (U.S. On-Orbit Segment) Cargo
| date = April 2012
| publisher = NASA
| accessdate = 20 April 2012
}}
</ref>

<ref name=cnet>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57444277-76/spacex-cargo-ship-departs-station-for-pacific-splashdown/|title=SpaceX cargo ship departs station for Pacific splashdown|last=Harwood|first=William|date=31 May 2012|publisher=cnet|accessdate=4 November 2012}}</ref>

<ref name="Scotty's remains flown">
{{cite web
 |last=Moskowitz 
 |first=Clara 
 |title=Ashes of Star Trek's 'Scotty' Ride Private Rocket Into Space 
 |url=http://www.space.com/15810-scotty-ashes-spacex-rocket-launch.html 
 |accessdate=22 May 2012 
 |work=Space.com 
 |date=22 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67qptmSTD?url=http://www.space.com/15810-scotty-ashes-spacex-rocket-launch.html 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archivedate=22 May 2012 
 |location=New York 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Celestis Redo (AP) 20120522">
{{cite news
 |last=Dunn 
 |first=Marica 
 |title=SpaceX launches first commercial supply spacecraft 
 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/spacex-launches-first-commercial-supply-spacecraft/article2439624/ 
 |accessdate=22 May 2012 
 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail 
 |date=22 May 2012 
 |agency=Associated Press 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67qs3lpAl?url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/spacex-launches-first-commercial-supply-spacecraft/article2439624/ 
 |url-status=live 
 |archivedate=22 May 2012 
 |location=Toronto 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Scotty to burn up in a year CBS">
{{cite web
 |title       = Star Trek's "Scotty" finally launched into space
 |url         = http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57439689/star-treks-scotty-finally-launched-into-space/?tag=stack
 |accessdate  = 22 May 2012
 |work        = CBS News
 |date        = 22 May 2012
 |author      = Associated Press
 |archiveurl  = https://www.webcitation.org/67rdySQOH?url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57439689/star-treks-scotty-finally-launched-into-space/?tag=stack
 |archivedate = 23 May 2012
 |location    = New York
 |url-status     = dead
 |df          = dmy-all
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Return Cargo 20120522">
{{cite web
 |title=What went up can now come down with SpaceX demo flight 
 |url=http://www.sciencedaily.co/releases/2012/05/120522154413.htm 
 |work=ScienceDaily 
 |accessdate=22 May 2012 
 |author=NASA 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67rJ0JJF2?url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120522154413.htm 
 |archivedate=22 May 2012 
 |date=22 May 2012 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Av Week 2011-10-10">
{{cite web
| last = Morring, Jr.
| first = Frank
| title = SpaceX ISS Berthing Decision Coming Soon
| url = http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2011/10/10/02.xml&channel=space
| publisher = The McGraw-Hill Companies
| accessdate = 14 November 2011
| work = Aviation Week
| date = 10 October 2011
| location = New York
}}
</ref>

<ref name="AV Week 2012-01-05">{{cite web
| last = Carreau
| first = Mark
| title = Sat Deployment Dropped From NASA Cargo Demo
| url = http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=aerospacedaily&id=news/asd/2012/01/04/02.xml&headline=Sat%20Deployment%20Dropped%20From%20NASA%20Cargo%20Demo
| work = Aviation Week
| publisher = McGraw-Hill Companies
| accessdate = 6 January 2012
| location = New York
| date = 5 January 2012
}} </ref>

<ref name="Av Week 2011-10-06">
{{cite web
| last = Norris
| first = Guy
| title = SpaceX Hints At New Slip In NASA Cargo Demo
| url = http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2011/10/05/08.xml&channel=space
| work = Aviation Week
| publisher = The McGraw-Hill Companies
| accessdate = 14 November 2011
| location = New York
| date = 6 October 2011
}}
</ref>

<ref name="AvWeek 2011-11-17">
{{cite web
| last = Carreau
| first = Mark
| title = SpaceX Demo Flight To ISS May Slip
| url = http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/asd/2011/11/17/06.xml&channel=space
| accessdate = 22 November 2011
| work = Aviation Week
| date = 17 November 2011
| publisher = The McGraw-Hill Companies
| location = New York
}}
</ref>

<ref name="NASASPACFLIGHT.com 20111205">
{{cite web
 |last=Bergen 
 |first=Chris 
 |title=SpaceX Dragon ISS flight to slip further, pending combined mission approval 
 |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/12/spacex-dragon-flight-slipping-further-combined-approval/ 
 |publisher=NASA Spaceflight.com 
 |accessdate=6 December 2011 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/63ioTqntF?url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/12/spacex-dragon-flight-slipping-further-combined-approval/ 
 |url-status=live 
 |archivedate=6 December 2011 
 |date=5 December 2011 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Spaceflight Now">
{{cite web
 |last=Clark 
 |first=Stephen 
 |title=Worldwide launch schedule 
 |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/tracking/ 
 |publisher=Spaceflight Now Inc 
 |date=26 November 2011 
 |accessdate=27 November 2011 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/63WK7j50k?url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archivedate=28 November 2011
 |location=Tonbridge, Kent, United Kingdom 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Space 20120315">
{{cite web
 |last=Chow 
 |first=Denise 
 |title=First Commercial Spaceship to Launch to Space Station April 30 
 |url=http://www.space.com/14923-spacex-dragon-launch-space-station.html 
 |accessdate=6 April 2012 
 |work=Space.com 
 |date=15 March 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66jkLi5Fh?url=http://www.space.com/14923-spacex-dragon-launch-space-station.html 
 |url-status=live 
 |archivedate=7 April 2012
 |location=New York 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="report">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/reports/iss_reports/2012/02212012.html 
 |title=ISS On-Orbit Status Report 02/21/12 
 |date=2012-02-21 
 |publisher=NASA 
 |accessdate=1 March 2012 
 |url-status=live 
 |archivedate=3 March 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/65tPpoJa5?url=http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/reports/iss_reports/2012/02212012.html 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="NASA Launch News">
{{cite web
 |title=Commercial Space Transportation: SpaceX 
 |url=http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/spacex_index.html 
 |work=Exploration 
 |publisher=NASA 
 |accessdate=2 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67MjeEQrL?url=http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/spacex_launchpreview.html 
 |url-status=live 
 |archivedate=2 May 2012 
 |location=Washington 
 |date=2 May 2012 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Delay to May">
{{cite web
| last = Moskowitz
| first = Clara
| title = New Delay for 1st Private Spaceship Launch to Space Station
| url = http://www.space.com/15392-spacex-dragon-launch-delay-announced.html
| accessdate = 23 April 2012
| work = Space.com
| date = 23 April 2012
| location = New York
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Valve Replacement">
{{cite web
 |last        = Dean
 |first       = James
 |title       = After valve replacement, Falcon 9 on track for Tuesday launch
 |url         = http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120520/SPACE/120520004/?sf4337912=1
 |accessdate  = 21 May 2012
 |work        = Florida Today
 |date        = 20 May 2012
 |archiveurl  = https://www.webcitation.org/67oFCtriM?url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120520/SPACE/120520004/?sf4337912=1&nclick_check=1
 |url-status     = live
 |archivedate = 20 May 2012
 |location    = Melbourne, Florida
 |df          = dmy-all
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Faulty Valve">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.space.com/15772-spacex-private-rocket-engine-repairs.html 
 |title=SpaceX Replaces Faulty Rocket Valve for Space Station Flight 
 |last=Moskowitz 
 |first=Clara 
 |date=20 May 2012 
 |work=Space.com 
 |accessdate=20 May 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67nt47ouw?url=http://www.space.com/15772-spacex-private-rocket-engine-repairs.html 
 |url-status=live 
 |archivedate=20 May 2012 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Dragon Operational">
{{cite news
 |last=Leone 
 |first=Dan 
 |title=NASA Clears SpaceX for Private Cargo Delivery Missions 
 |newspaper=Space.com 
 |location=New York 
 |url=http://www.space.com/17339-nasa-spacex-private-spaceflight-missions.html 
 |date=28 August 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6AHNsMPha?url=http://www.space.com/17339-nasa-spacex-private-spaceflight-missions.html 
 |archivedate=29 August 2012 
 |url-status=live 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name="certified">
{{cite web
 |last=Clark 
 |first=Stephen 
 |title=NASA ready for operational cargo flights by SpaceX 
 |work=Spaceflight Now 
 |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1208/24cots// 
 |accessdate=29 August 2012 
 |publisher=Spaceflight Now Inc. 
 |date=24 August 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6AHS2PQI2?url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1208/24cots/ 
 |archivedate=29 August 2012 
 |location=Tonbridge, Kent, United Kingdom 
 |url-status=live 
 |df=dmy 
}}
</ref>

<ref name=ars>
{{cite web
| url         = https://arstechnica.com/science/2012/05/dragon-spacecraft-makes-perfect-splashdown/
| title       = Dragon spacecraft makes perfect splashdown
| last        = Klingler
| first       = Dave
| date        = 31 May 2012
| publisher   = Ars Technica
| accessdate  = 19 August 2012
}}
</ref>

<ref name="Dragon back on land">

{{cite news 
| last         = Dunn
| first        = Marci
| title        = SpaceX Capsule Back on Solid Ground After Flight
| newspaper    = ABC News
| date         = 5 June 2012
| agency      = Associated Press
| url          = http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/spacex-capsule-back-solid-ground-flight-16500988
| accessdate   = 10 June 2012
}}
</ref>

<ref name = "12 July 2012 ISS Program Status">
{{cite press
| url =http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/672214main_1-Hartman_July12_NAC_Final_508.pdf
| title = International Space Station Program Status
| last = Hartman
| first = Dan
| date = 23 July 2012
| publisher = NASA
| accessdate = 10 August 2012
}}
</ref>

}}

== Bibliography ==

* {{cite press
 |title       = COTS 2 Mission Press Kit
 |date        = 14 May 2012
 |publisher   = SpaceX/NASA
 |url         = http://www.spacex.com/downloads/COTS-2-Press-Kit-5-14-12.pdf
 |accessdate  = 16 May 2012
 |ref         = {{sfnRef|COTS 2 Mission Press Kit}}
 |url-status     = dead
 |archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120717025349/http://www.spacex.com/downloads/COTS-2-Press-Kit-5-14-12.pdf
 |archivedate = 17 July 2012
 |df          = dmy-all
}}
* {{cite press
 |url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/672219main_3%20-%2020120724%20McAlister%20-%20Commercial%20Status_20120724_508.pdf 
 |title=Commercial Spaceflight Status Briefing 
 |last=McAlister 
 |first=Phil 
 |date=24 July 2012 
 |publisher=NASA 
 |accessdate=20 August 2012 
 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6AHPOQjRx?url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/672219main_3%20-%2020120724%20McAlister%20-%20Commercial%20Status_20120724_508.pdf 
 |archivedate=29 August 2012 
 |ref={{sfnRef|Commercial Spaceflight Status Briefing}} 
 |url-status=dead 
 |df=dmy 
}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/spacex_index.html NASA's COTS Demo 2 Page]
* [http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/672215main_1-SpaceX%20C2_Summary_NAC_20120724_508.pdf SpaceX COTS Demo C2+ Mission Summary]
* [http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/641018main_pk_objectives.pdf COTS Demo 2 Mission Objectives]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTdxIS8J_NI Video of Dragon being berthed to the ISS]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCZwUohCp1o Video of ISS crew members opening hatch]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6zoyY_ToQ0 Video of Dragon being unberthed from the ISS]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbHj4P81voA Video of the Dragon capsule just prior to landing]


{{Dragon spaceflights}}
{{Falcon rocket launches}}
{{Unmanned ISS resupply flights}}


[[Category:Dragon (spacecraft)|COTS Demo Flight 2]]
[[Category:Supply vehicles for the International Space Station|COTS Demo Flight 2]]
[[Category:SpaceX payloads contracted by NASA|COTS Demo Flight 2]]
[[Category:Test spaceflights]]

{{Sourceattribution|Dragon C2+|1}}