spacetoday.net: space news from around the webin association with SpaceNews


Russia reveals details about Soyuz successor
Posted: Wed, Dec 1, 2004, 8:13 AM ET (1313 GMT)
Kliper mockup (PhotoCenter.ru) A Russian company has revealed new details about a spacecraft it hopes will succeed the venerable Soyuz spacecraft in carrying crews to the International Space Station. Officials with RSC Energia showed off a full-scale mockup of the proposed Kliper, or Clipper, spacecraft during a press conference at its headquarters outside Moscow. The six-person reusable spacecraft is designed to launch atop a Zenit launch vehicle, operate in orbit on its own for up to 15 days, and remain docked to the ISS for up to a full year, twice as long as the Soyuz. The landing mode for the spacecraft has yet to be determined: engineers are studying both winged versions that land on a runway as well as parachute landings on land or water. While Energia officials believe they can develop the Kliper for one-tenth the cost of NASA's new Crew Exploration Vehicle, that may still require significant extra funding for the Russian space program. If fully-funded the vehicle would be ready for test flights in 2010. Russia may partner with Europe or another country to speed development, Energia officials said.
<<previous article   next article>>
news in brief
Cosmonauts perform ISS spacewalk
Posted: Sat, Oct 18 11:21 AM ET (1521 GMT)

Ariane 64 debut slips to 2026
Posted: Sat, Oct 18 11:17 AM ET (1517 GMT)

SpaceX wins permission to double Vandenberg launch rate
Posted: Sat, Oct 18 11:16 AM ET (1516 GMT)

news links
Wednesday, October 22
Eutelsat Communications: First Quarter 2025-26 Revenues
Business Wire — 5:06 am ET (0906 GMT)
Muon Satellites To Use SpaceX Starlink Laser Comms
Aviation Week — 4:57 am ET (0857 GMT)


about spacetoday.net   ·   info@spacetoday.net   ·   mailing list