SpaceX has announced that the new Dragon C213 capsule will be making its first-ever flight during a manned mission. It will debut during the Ax-4 flight to the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled to launch on June 8, 2025, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 

During a press conference organized by Axiom Space, Sarah Walker, director of Dragon mission management at SpaceX, confirmed that Dragon C213 is the latest capsule in the Dragon 2 family, designed to transport people into orbit. The Ax-4 mission astronauts will be the first to fly this vehicle and, in keeping with tradition, will name it. 

Photo: https://x.com/SpaceX 

In recent weeks, preparations for the mission have been delayed due to technical problems. The C213 capsule initially failed one of the standard insulation strength tests. In addition, it was necessary to replace a set of parachutes in which traces of moisture were detected. After the defects were removed and retests were carried out, the capsule was declared ready for flight. 

After the completion of the CRS-32 cargo mission, currently docked to the ISS, the Ax-4 spacecraft will occupy the same docking port on the station. C213 will be the next Dragon capsule to dock with the orbital complex as part of a commercial manned mission. 

The Ax-4 mission is another joint venture between SpaceX and Axiom Space. On board will be an international crew of four astronauts who will spend about 14 days on the ISS conducting scientific experiments and educational activities.