NASA Ames Helps SpaceX Develop Dragon’s Heat Shield

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is preparing for its second Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, or COTS, demonstration to show that private industry can build and launch spacecraft on regular cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station. The Dragon capsule is carrying with 1,000 pounds of cargo for the six-man crew aboard the ISS. After spending three weeks in space, Dragon will undock and reenter the Earth’s atmosphere. Unlike other unmanned missions to the station,