NASA Commercial Crew Partner SpaceX Tests Dragon Parachute System
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Engineers and safety specialists from NASA and Space Exploration Technologies
(SpaceX) gathered in Morro Bay, Calif., in late December to demonstrate how
the company's Dragon spacecraft's parachute system would function in the
event of an emergency on the launch pad or during ascent.

The test was part of an optional milestone under NASA's Commercial Crew
Integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative and approved by the agency in
August. Through the Commercial Crew Program, SpaceX is one of NASA's
commercial partners working to develop a new generation of U.S. spacecraft
and rockets capable of transporting humans to and from low-Earth orbit from
American soil. NASA intends to use such commercial systems to fly U.S.
astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

The 12,000-pound test craft was lifted 8,000 feet above sea level by an
Erickson Sky Crane helicopter and flown over the Pacific Ocean. Following
Dragon's release, two drogue parachutes were released from the top of the
spacecraft to slow its decent, before the three main parachutes deployed. The
craft splashed down and was quickly recovered by the Sky Crane and carried
back to shore.

"The parachute test is essential for the commercial crew effort because it
helps us better understand how SpaceX's system performs as it safely returns
crew," said Jon Cowart, NASA Partner Integration deputy manager working with
SpaceX. "Like all of our partners, SpaceX continues to provide innovative
solutions based on NASA's lessons learned that could make spaceflight safer."

During a normal spacecraft landing, the parachutes will be aided by the
Dragon�s SuperDraco thrusters to provide a soft controlled landing. This
redundancy on both the parachutes and thrusters is designed to ensure safe
landings for crews.

"SpaceX is working diligently to make the Dragon spacecraft the safest
vehicle ever flown," said Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX. "The
parachute system is an integral part of Dragon�s ability to provide a safe
landing for nominal and abort conditions -- with this successful test we are
well-positioned to execute a full end-to-end test of the launch escape system
later this year."

The parachute test puts SpaceX a step closer to launch abort system tests.
The company currently is manufacturing the spacecraft and rocket to be used
for these flight tests.

SpaceX is on track to complete all 15 of its CCiCap milestones in 2014. All
of NASA's industry partners, including SpaceX, continue to meet their
established milestones in developing commercial crew transportation
capabilities.

For more information about NASA's Commercial Crew Program and its aerospace
industry partners, visit:

*http://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew