At the beginning of 2014, SpaceX announced its latest innovation in the world of manned space travel: The Dragon 2. The Dragon 2 is the next-gen edition of the original Dragon, but so much cooler. First of all, its specially designed SuperDraco engines are the first to ever be completely manufactured by 3D printer and could each lift the equivalent of 4 cars. Secondly, the inside has had a complete makeover, all racing style seats and touch screens. This, compared to the 60s era buttons and dials that most spacecraft still use, is beginning to look distinctly like the sci-fi spaceships of the future. The third, and most important, feature of the Dragon 2 is the abort function. the biggest danger in space travel is the launch, with even the best rockets sometimes going up in flames. If we're going to bring the risk, cost and novelty of spaceflight down, then eliminating the risk of getting blown up before you reach orbit is a biggie. The abort function ensures that, in the event that something does go wrong, the part of the craft with the people in it gets flung well clear of the explosion. This reduces the risk of damaging any precious cargo aboard, whether that be humans or technology, and again brings the cost of a space mission down (as well as, you know, making sure no one gets killed).
