Space-Ferry May Be Ready By 2010

[zavvy]

<b>Space-Ferry May Be Ready By 2010</b><br /><br />LINK<br /><br />Russia, Europe, and Japan may jointly develop a crewed spacecraft called Kliper to ferry as many as six astronauts to and from the International Space Station. The spacecraft could launch as early as 2010 - just as NASA retires its space shuttles.<br /><br />The three space agencies are in discussions to develop the craft, which is intended as a replacement for Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. Soyuz has been the workhorse of Russia's human spaceflight programme, but is based on 40-year-old technology.<br /><br />“Soyuz works and works but the components are becoming obsolete," says Alan Thirkettle, head of the development department at the European Space Agency's (ESA’s) human spaceflight and exploration directorate.<br /><br />The craft carries three people and can stay docked to the International Space Station for just six months, but the Kliper may transport twice as many and could stay in orbit for up to a year. Officials estimate the first uncrewed flight could take place in 2010, with the first crewed flight in 2011.<br /><br />Billion-dollar craft<br />That timing coincides with NASA's plan to retire its space shuttle fleet in 2010. "The fact that the shuttle is retiring means there needs to be a human crew transportation system in place," Thirkettle told New Scientist. <br /><br />NASA is developing a shuttle replacement called the Crew Exploration Vehicle, which it hopes to launch by 2014, but has said it does not want international governmental cooperation on the project. That has "shoved" Europe into searching for an alternative spacecraft to ensure "we'd always have access to space", says Thirkettle.<br /><br />ESA is hoping to secure about €50 million ($61 million) from its governing ministers in December to develop a preliminary design, as well as financial and legal agreements for the project over the next two years. Estimates

 

[cramic]

this is good news, if we can get nasa to partner with some other countries we can share the cost.

 

[john_316]

Klipper is on its own with the ESA and Russians. We got our own lil CEV project and we wont let anyone play with our toys either....<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br />

 

[nacnud]

Whats the lifting capacity of thier H-IIA? And could you find anyone willing to ride on one <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" />

 

[frodo1008]

Gee, unlike many of the participants of these boards it actually sounds like the Japanese, Russians, and Europeans think that the ISS will have value!<br /><br />Just ask someone like askold, he will tell you that they must be dillusional!<br /><br />Just maybe, maybe, these people when they put their own laboratories upon ISS will have something for them to do? <br /><br />It certainly sounds like they at least are willing to spend what it would take to keep such a unique facility busy and occupied with at least six people! <br /><br />Perhaps they do know something that the great minds of the internet don't?