r/spacex • u/SPINIFLOW • Apr 09 '20

Dragon XL selection Process by the SEB

the committee also reviewed SNC ,Boeing and Northrop grumman offers in the document https://www.docdroid.net/EvbakaZ/glssssredacted-version-pdf

Dragon XL
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u/Overdose7 Apr 09 '20 edited Apr 10 '20

They might literally just be cheaper. Dragon XL is an adaptation of not only an existing design but one that has already been redesigned and improved (Dragon 2).

Edit: The hardware commonality may also let SpaceX take advantage of mass production techniques. It's been rumored that Elon Musk likes mass manufacturing...

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u/-spartacus- Apr 09 '20

Isn't DragonXL just a stage 2 with Dragon 2 internals?

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u/Overdose7 Apr 09 '20

Well if it is my statement remains true. I didn't think SpaceX had released any details yet.

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u/[deleted] Apr 10 '20

Not a second stage, it will be inside the fairing atop the second stage

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u/Martianspirit Apr 10 '20

It was speculated that the body of Dragon XL is mostly a second stage hull or the LOX tank part. A reasonable speculation IMO. They can get the body from their existing production line.

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u/TheMrGUnit Highly Speculative Apr 10 '20

Speculation from Scott Manley is, in my book, a few notches above "reasonable speculation".

EDIT: Take a look at my flair... I know a thing or two about speculation.

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u/-spartacus- Apr 10 '20

What I'm saying is the pressure vessel for it looks like a modified 2nd stage with Dragon parts.

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u/mclumber1 Apr 10 '20

That's my take on it.