Step inside the SpaceX capsule that will take astronauts to the ISS
Since the end of the Space Shuttle program the US has had to rely on rides from the Russians to get to the ISS, this marks America's return to its own manned spaceflight.
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Griffin, M. (2018) 'Step inside the SpaceX capsule that will take astronauts to the ISS', 311 Institute, 19 August. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/step-inside-spacex-capsule-that-will-take-astronauts-to-the-iss/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
After making history in 2012 as the first commercial spacecraft company to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) SpaceX has announced it’s finally finished finalising the details of its “Crew dragon” capsule that will soon be ferrying up to seven astronauts at a time between Earth and the ISS, as well as other to be announced destinations, perhaps the Moon and Mars… in outer space.
The next generation spacecraft is apparently designed with comfort in mind with seats made from the highest grade Carbon Fiber and Alcantara cloth, and four windows that will give the passengers views of the Earth, the Moon, and the rest of the solar system. Under an agreement with NASA Crew Dragon will embark on its first manned test flight later this year when it will ferry two astronauts to the ISS, and, after seven years of astronauts riding Russian rockets after the decommissioning of the space shuttle, NASA will finally be able to rely, once again, on American built spacecraft to carry its astronauts into space.
Crew Dragon will be also be the first fully autonomous spacecraft that can be monitored and controlled both by on board astronauts and by the SpaceX mission control center in Hawthorne, California, and in the event of an emergency an advanced emergency escape system in the capsule will carry astronauts to safety with G forces “less than you’ll experience at Disneyland” according to the press release.
Meanwhile the spacecraft’s on board displays will provide the astronauts with real time information on the capsule’s position, destinations, and on board environment. The capsule also features an environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) that will let the crews ride in comfort at a cosy temperature of between 18 and 26 degrees Celsius.
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Since the end of the Space Shuttle program the US has had to rely on rides from the Russians to get to the ISS, this marks America's return to its own manned spaceflight.
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Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 19 August 2018. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2018). Step inside the SpaceX capsule that will take astronauts to the ISS. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/step-inside-spacex-capsule-that-will-take-astronauts-to-the-iss/
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