Space Forum / Space History / July 2008

Manned spaceship design unveiled
By Paul Rincon
Science reporter, BBC News

   
For images go to
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7519723.stm

Russian firm RKK Energia has spent two years designing the vehicle

The first official image of a Russian-European manned spacecraft has
been unveiled.

It is designed to replace the Soyuz vehicle currently in use by Russia
and will allow Europe to participate directly in crew transportation.

The reusable ship was conceived to carry four people towards the Moon,
rivalling the US Ares/Orion system.

Unlike previous crewed vehicles, it will use thrusters to make a soft
landing when it returns to Earth.

Russian aerospace writer and graphic designer Anatoly Zak has produced
artist's renderings of the new craft based on a design released by
Russian manufacturer RKK Energia at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK
last week.
   
I think the main roadmap is the agreement between the European and
Russian space agencies. That is their Plan A
Anatoly Zak

In some respects, the capsule resembles America's next-generation
spacecraft Orion. The 18-to-20-tonne Russian-European vehicle is
designed to carry six crew into low-Earth orbit and four on missions
to lunar orbit.

One of the most unusual features about the capsule appear to be the
thrusters and landing gear on its underside. Mr Zak said it would use
these engines to soften its landing on Earth after the fiery re-entry
through our atmosphere.

The European Space Agency (Esa) has been talking to its Russian
counterpart Roscosmos about collaborating on the Crew Space
Transportation System (CSTS) since 2006.

Launcher decision

"If Esa and the Russian Space Agency reach agreement, Europe will
supply the service module of that co-operative spacecraft," Mr Zak
told BBC News.

This service module will use technology - such as the propulsion
systems - developed for Europe's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), an
unmanned freighter recently sent to re-supply the International Space
Station (ISS).

Russia may provide the launcher for the new manned spacecraft. This
might be an entirely new vehicle, or a modification of an existing
rocket.
   
Thrusters would cushion the spacecraft's landing

Mr Zak said Russia was insisting in its negotiations with Europe that
all future manned projects be based in Vostochny, the new cosmodrome
being developed in Russia's eastern Amur region. The Russian
government wants to host its first manned launch from that site in
2018.

At the moment, all manned Soyuz launches take place from Baikonur
Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Alternatively, the space agencies could opt to "man-rate" Europe's
Ariane 5 launcher, which lifts off from Kourou in French Guiana. This
would allow the rocket to carry humans into space.

This would involve making major modifications to Kourou spaceport,
including the development of infrastructure to support a crew escape
system in the event of an emergency.

It is quite possible that both launch sites would play a role in any
collaborative programme, which would necessitate the lofting of cargo
as well as human crew.

However, if this collaboration falls apart, Europe has another option
for direct manned access to space.

Other option

In May this year, European aerospace company EADS Astrium unveiled its
own model of a crewed space vehicle, described as an "evolution" of
the ATV, which was built by a consortium of European companies led by
Astrium.

It would combine what is essentially the avionics and propulsion end
of the ATV with a crew compartment taking the place of the current
cargo section.
   
ATV "Evolution" (Astrium)
EADS Astrium has proposed a manned version of the ATV

Berlin unveils 'crewed spaceship'

Mr Zak commented: "I think the main roadmap is the agreement between
the European and Russian space agencies. That is their Plan A. Their
Plan B is the initiative made by EADS Astrium in Bremen."

But if the agencies want a manned craft capable of reaching the Moon,
they will need to develop new, more powerful rockets than those on the
drawing board today.

"This is an open question, there are no decisions on how to proceed,"
said Mr Zak.

The CSTS is also sometimes referred to as the Advanced Crew
Transportation System (ACTS). Esa and Roscosmos started talks on the
project after some Esa member states rejected further involvement in
the development of another manned spacecraft called Kliper.

The proposals will go before a crucial meeting of space ministers from
European member states in November this year.

Paul.Rincon-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk

For images go to
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7519723.stm