Unmanned resupply spacecraft
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Unmanned resupply spacecraft are a special kind of robotic spacecraft that operate autonomously without a human crew, designed to support space station operation. This is different from space probes, whose missions are to conduct scientific investigations.
Resupply spacecraft have been used since 1978 and have serviced Salyut 6, Salyut 7, Mir and the International Space Station.
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[edit] Spacecraft
Current spacecraft
- the Russian Progress spacecraft[1]—developed by Russian Federal Space Agency
- the European Automated Transfer Vehicle[2][3]—developed by the European Space Agency
- the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle[4]- developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Spacecraft in development
- the American private-sector Dragon spacecraft from SpaceX, with demonstration flights in 2010 and 2012[5]
- the American private-sector Cygnus spacecraft from Orbital Sciences Corporation, with demonstration flights in 2012[6]
- a Chinese cargo craft based on Tiangong-1 that will have a maximum diameter of 3.35 meters and a launch weight less than 13 tons.[7]
[edit] Canceled projects
- The American private-sector Kistler K-1 from Rocketplane Kistler, canceled October 2007 when failed to meet objectives.[8][9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Gunter's Space Page: Progress-M 1M - 10M (11F615A60, 7KTGM).
- ^ , http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ATV/index.html
- ^ , http://www.thalesaleniaspace-issmodules.com/atv
- ^ "NASA Sets Briefing, TV Coverage of Japan's First Cargo Spacecraft". NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/aug/HQ_M09-164_HTV_Briefing.html. Retrieved 2009-09-03.
- ^ "F9/Dragon Will Replace the Cargo Transport Function of the Space Shuttle after 2010". SpaceX. 2008-12-23. http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20081223. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
- ^ "Orbital Blames Galaxy 15 Failure on Solar Storm, Discloses Further Taurus 2 Delay". http://spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/orbital-blames-galaxy-failure-solar-storm-discloses-further-taurus-delay.html.
- ^ "The end of 2010 China will launch the "Temple" target spacecraft" (in Chinese). Xinhua. 2009-03-08. http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/25509/55912/55913/55916/8924992.html. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
- ^ Space.com - Rocketplane Kistler Appeals NASA Decision to Terminate COTS Agreement (22 October 2007)
- ^ Orbital Wins $171 Million Space Station Re-Supply Demo Deal (19 February 2008)
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