ESA Considers Partnering With Russia On New Space Vehicle
While the world awaits the return to flight of the American
space shuttle Discovery, Europe is considering a new manned
spacecraft. The Kliper project which Russia proposes to build was
one of the hot subjects of the recent Le Bourget airshow.
The return of America's "big white bird" is of crucial
importance for the International Space Station. The Shuttle is the
only vehicle capable of bringing up the last remaining large
elements -– including the European Columbus module -- for
completion of the ISS.
The ISS will continue even after the end of shuttle flights,
planned for 2010. NASA and other space agencies are now searching
for alternative vehicles which could not only service the orbital
outpost, but also be key elements of future space exploration
programs.
Full scale mockup of Kliper, with the old Buran Shuttle, in the
RKK EuroNews 'Space' magazine today focuses on one of the most
exciting projects, Russia's new generation manned spacecraft. After
40 years of making the venerable 'Model-T', the Soyuz capsule,
Russia is actively searching for international cooperation on its
Kliper spacecraft.
"The Soyuz is basically a concept from the sixties and is
getting rather old," agrees Frank de Winne, ESA's Belgian
astronaut. "It is also getting rather difficult to produce this
type of spacecraft. The Americans are examining a new system of
manned space transport, called the Crew Exploration Vehicle; and
there is the Russian Kliper project, in which Europe is
particularly interested."
Frank de Winne was interviewed at the Le Bourget Airshow, where
the Russian space agency Roscosmos and its industrial companies
presented a small-scale model of the Kliper vehicle.
"Kliper is a new generation spacecraft, incorporating brand new
ideas in its design," explained Vladimir Daneev, engineer at the
RKK Energuya company. "Since the construction of the Shuttle and
Buran, a lot of new materials have been found and new technologies
have appeared. We will use all this Russian know-how in the new
spacecraft, and we are eager to incorporate a maximum of European
technology in the design."
A full-scale model of Kliper has taken shape in the RKK Energuya
assembly halls. The EuroNews report shows exclusive shots of its
construction. The future vehicle, consisting of three modules,
looks like a stubby small-winged aircraft. It will be able to
transport six astronauts and 500 kg of supplies, or two astronauts
and 700 kg of cargo.
"Today we are examining with our Russian colleagues whether we
can cooperate on this project," says Frank de Winne. "Russia has
asked not only ESA but also other nations, like Japan for example,
to see if it is possible to work together, not only in the
development but also in the operational phase. This would give
Europe new capabilities, most significantly the ability to carry
its own astronauts into space."
The Kliper spacecraft would have a mass of about 13 tons at
launch. It would be carried into orbit by an improved and more
powerful version of the Soyuz rocket.
Not far from the Kliper model at Le Bourget was another scale
model, that of the future Soyoz launch complex being built in
French Guiana. A first satellite launch is scheduled in 2008, but
could the European Spaceport be used one day for Kliper
flights?
At present, this eventuality is not part of ESA plans. But
Russian engineers and officials do not hide their hopes for the
future.
"International cooperation is the most reasonable way to carry
out huge and expensive projects," says Igor Barmin, imminent figure
of Russia's space programmes. "That is why I think the cooperation
between Europe and Russia, very successful so far, will bring
mutual benefits to both sides."
Two options have been retained for Kliper's return to Earth. The
spacecraft will be able to descend under parachutes in the vast
deserted areas of central Asia, or more conventionally like a plane
on a hard runway in more populated regions.
The Kliper project has great potential. The vehicle will be able
to carry astronauts to the ISS, and can be envisaged for human
flights to the Moon and future exploration of the solar system.
"Kliper has been conceived on the long term, to be usable 20, 30 or
40 years from now," emphasizes Frank de Winne.
The key decision on Europe's future involvement in Kliper could
be made in December. European government ministers responsible for
space will be meeting to consider ESA's programme of space
exploration.
ESA's Director of Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and
Exploration Programmes is confident that the response will be
positive. "It is not just that Kliper is a good political deal, or
that it provides us with a powerful piece of technology," said
Daniel Sacotte. "It will give us a vision, a scientific goal that
young Europeans badly need today."
This view is shared by many visitors at Le Bourget. "European
space must be a complete, coherent and successful system"…
"I am astonished by today's technology which also carries with it a
dream" … these were some of the comments heard by the
EuroNews team during their report on the Kliper project.