Hi. --- Donald Qualls <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> the CEV. I wonder if that means the Space Station > will be serviced only > by the (then) forty-plus year old Soyuz design > vehicles during that > (minimum) four year hiatus? Or will it be abandoned > in place as soon as > it's completed? Or does the President expect Russia > to develop a new > vehicle and have it ready for service in six years? The politics, I believe, plays as important role in Russian national space program, as it does in American one. In the middle of 80-s the flight testing program was complete for a newer design of a manned spacecraft, brought to orbit by Proton. The craft was named TKS, and it had two modules, one being the return capsule (VA), and the other being a roomy (about 45 cubic meters) orbital FGB module. The derivatives of FGB were later used as modules in the Mir space station, and the first ISS module, Zarya, was created along FGB design. The aerodynamics of VA capsule (the shape of VA is somewhat similar to Gemini's) allowed for lesser acceleration and better control, than for Soyuz capsule, during descent in athmosphere. VA was also fully reusable; one of VA capsules actually flew to orbit three times. In addition, the capsule was more conveniently organized inside, providing better comfort. It also had a more modular approach, making possible changing the orbital part according to flight requirements, so the same capsule part could flew a variety of missions on LEO and as far as Moon orbit. The whole craft was derived from an already old (by then) design of a lunar craft. As a whole, the design represented the next generation of capsuled spacecraft. The TKS program was put on indefinite hold after somewhat strange comparison, made between VA and Soyuz, was sent to authorities. As a result, an older (Soyuz) design is the only one in use today, and technically more advanced VA TKS exists only in the manufacturer's documentation. I'm really interested to see the design for CEV, when it's ready. And in general, it would be very interesting to see things unfold for this new space program, I believe. Alexander __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Hotjobs: Enter the "Signing Bonus" Sweepstakes http://hotjobs.sweepstakes.yahoo.com/signingbonus _______________________________________________ ERPS-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.erps.org/mailman/listinfo/erps-list
