History of SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2 in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 24, 2026

SpaceX's COTS Demo Flight 2 (Dragon C2+) launched in May 2012 atop a Falcon 9, marking the third flight of the launch vehicle. It was the second demonstration mission under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, aimed at developing commercial cargo resupply to the ISS. Dragon C2+ became the first American vehicle to visit the ISS after the Space Shuttle program's end. Notably, it was also the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with another spacecraft, demonstrating a key milestone in commercial spaceflight capabilities.

August 2006: NASA and SpaceX Sign COTS Contract

On August 18, 2006, NASA and SpaceX signed a contract for COTS cargo resupply services.

December 2010: COTS Demo Flight 1 Completed Successfully

On December 8, 2010, the first COTS mission, COTS Demo Flight 1, was completed successfully, with the Dragon capsule being successfully recovered from orbit.

2010: Original Planned Launch Date

In 2010 COTS Demo Flight 2 was intended to take place as early as 2010, but was delayed by internal SpaceX issues.

June 2011: COTS 2 Flight Delayed

In June 2011, COTS 2 was planned to fly but was delayed to late 2011.

July 2011: COTS 3 Objectives Tentatively Combined with COTS 2

Following a July 15, 2011 meeting between SpaceX and NASA officials, the COTS 3 mission objectives were tentatively combined with the proposed COTS 2 demonstration flight.

July 2011: NASA Tentatively Approves Merger of COTS 2 and 3 Missions

In July 2011, NASA gave tentative approval to combine the objectives of the Dragon C2 and Dragon C3 missions into a single mission.

July 2011: Falcon 9 Arrives at Cape Canaveral

In July 2011, the Falcon 9 launch vehicle arrived at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral, Florida facilities at Launch Complex 40 (LC-40).

July 2011: NASA Tentatively Approved Combining COTS 2 and 3

On July 15, 2011, NASA tentatively approved combining the COTS 2 and 3 missions to accelerate the program into the operational supply mission phase in 2012.

October 2011: Dragon Spacecraft Arrives at Launch Site

On October 23, 2011, the mission's Dragon spacecraft arrived at the launch site.

December 2011: NASA Formally Approves Merger of COTS 2 and 3 Missions

In December 2011, NASA formally approved the merger of the COTS 2 and 3 missions into the Dragon C2+ flight.

December 2011: Further Delay of Launch Date

In early December 2011 another delay was caused due to the berthing procedure which requires two ISS personnel to be trained and available for the procedure; in early December 2011 only one person was trained to berth the Dragon.

December 2011: Satellite Deployment Dropped from Dragon C2+ Flight Plan

On December 28, 2011, SpaceX and Orbcomm announced a revised schedule that dropped the satellite deployment from the Dragon C2+ flight plan.

December 2011: NASA Formally Approved Mission Merger

On December 9, 2011, NASA formally approved the merger of the two missions and set the initial launch date for February 7, 2012.

January 2012: Launch Date Continues to Move

In January 2012, the launch date moved to 7 January 2012, 30 April, and 7 May.

February 2012: Initial Launch Date Set

In February 2012, the initial launch date was set on February 7, but several delays occurred between December and May, mostly due to SpaceX needing to further test hardware and software.

March 2012: Wet Dress Rehearsal Successfully Completed

On March 1, 2012, a fueled countdown test called a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) was successfully completed for the COTS 2 mission.

May 2012: SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2 Launch

In May 2012, SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2, also known as Dragon C2+, launched as the second test-flight for SpaceX's uncrewed Cargo Dragon spacecraft on the third flight of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The Dragon C2+ spacecraft was the first American vehicle to visit the ISS since the end of the Space Shuttle program and the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with another spacecraft.

May 2012: Dragon C2+ Successfully Launched and Completed Mission

In May 2012, the Dragon C2+ mission successfully launched on May 22, from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 40 (SLC‑40), berthed with the ISS, and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on May 31. All COTS objectives were met, eliminating the need for COTS Demo Flight 3.

May 2012: Launch Abort During Final Second Before Liftoff

On May 19, 2012, the launch was aborted during the last second before liftoff due to a launch abort.

May 2012: Dragon C2+ Successfully Launched and Berthed with the ISS

On May 22, 2012, Dragon C2+ successfully launched from Cape Canaveral. On May 25, Dragon rendezvoused again with the ISS and was captured using the Canadarm2 and berthed to the station. On May 31, Dragon unberthed from the ISS and landed in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. All the objectives of the mission were successfully completed.

May 2012: Dragon C2+ Successfully Launched

On May 22, 2012, the launch occurred at 03:44 EDT (07:44 UTC), marking the first time a Falcon 9 was launched at night. Key events included main engine shut-off, stage separation, second stage ignition, jettisoning of the Dragon's nose cone, second-stage engine shut-off, and deployment of the Dragon spacecraft's solar arrays.

July 2012: COTS 2 Dragon Displayed in Washington, D.C.

On July 18, 2012, the COTS 2 Dragon was temporarily displayed to an invited audience inside a tent, in front of the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. building.

August 2012: SpaceX Certified for Cargo Delivery Contract

On August 23, 2012, NASA announced that SpaceX and their Falcon 9-Dragon system was certified to begin their cargo delivery contract.

September 2012: C2+ Capsule Undergoing Post-Flight Analysis

On September 7, 2012, Steve Jurvetson reported that the C2+ capsule was undergoing post-flight analysis back in McGregor.

October 2012: First Resupply Flight Launched

On October 7, 2012, the first of at least 12 resupply missions under the cargo delivery contract was launched.

2012: Acceleration of Program into Operational Supply Mission Phase

In 2012, NASA tentatively approved combining the two COTS missions to accelerate the program into the operational supply mission phase.

2013: Dragon Capsule Displayed at E3 Expo

From June 11 to 13, 2013, the Dragon capsule was displayed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, California. The Dragon C2+ capsule was ultimately placed on permanent display hanging from the ceiling at SpaceX headquarters.