The Kliper as displayed earlier this year in Moscow.

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 Station.

Use of the ISS will continue after the end of Shuttle flights, planned for 2010. NASA and other space agencies are thus envisaging alternative vehicles which could not only service the orbital outpost but also be key elements of future space exploration programmes.

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 some 13 tonnes 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," emphasises 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.

CNES / Roskosmos Deal
Paris (AFP)

France and Russia on Tuesday signed a five-year, 200-million-euro (260-million-dollar) deal for joint research into a next-generation rocket launcher, the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) said.

The deal on the so-called Orel project was signed in Paris by CNES and the Russian space agency Roskosmos, the agency said in a press release.
Orel project :
Fully reusable vertical takeoff / horizontal landing single stage to orbit launch vehicle.
LEO Payload: 10 tons. to: 200 km  
Lift-off Thrust: 1,200,000 kgf.
Lift-off Thrust: 12,000.00 kN.
Total Mass: 930,000 kg . ( 2,050 pounds )
Core Diameter: 32.00 m . ( 105 feet )
Total Length: 58.00 m ( 190 feet )

Scientists from the two countries will build and test prototype engines fuelled by hydrogen, oxygen and methane as well as a first-stage rocket booster that would glide back to Earth after launch so that it can be refuelled for another mission.

Accord CNES / Roskosmos
Paris

Les Agences Spatiales française (CNES) et russe (Roskosmos) ont signé un accord pour mettre en commun leurs recherches en vue de la création d’un lanceur de nouvelle génération, soit un investissement de 200 million d’Euros sur 5 ans.

D’après l’agence russe Roskosmos le contrat signé à Paris avec le CNES concerne le projet Orel, véhicule réutilisable, d’une charge utile de 10 tonnes, une masse total de 930 tonnes et une hauteur de 58 mètres .

L’Europe relève le défi du futur Europe takes up the challenge of the future
L’Europe développe actuellement son premier grand véhicule spatial de transport. En effet, l’agence spatiale européenne (ESA) a signé un contrat avec l’entreprise européenne n°1 d’aéronautique et de défense EADS, pour la mise au point du premier cargo spatial de conception continentale, l’ATV, par l’intermédiaire de sa filiale EADS SPACE .

Cette société européenne est spécialisée dans les domaines du transport spatial et des vols habités, et développe également entre autres les fusées Ariane, le laboratoire Colombus ainsi que des missiles pour l’armée française. Elle emploie actuellement 12 000 personnes en France, en Allemagne, au Royaume-Uni et en Espagne.

Le véhicule spatial en question est une prouesse technologique de 10mètres de long pour un diamètre de 4,50mètres, pesant 20 tonnes au décollage et qui sera entièrement automatique et autonome. Formé de trois éléments, le module de propulsion, la baie avionique et le « Cargo Carrier », son aptitude au vol vient de se voir testée électriquement avec succès récemment en Allemagne.

Ce vaisseau spatial inhabité reflètera la participation de l’Europe aux missions de ravitaillement en fret, eau, carburant et autres matériels d’expérimentation de la station spatiale internationale. Mais ce ne sera pas le seul travail de l’ATV. Celui-ci sera également chargé de rehausser régulièrement l’orbite de la station en vue de son maintien à 400 km d’altitude, lorsqu’il sera arrimé à celle-ci. Sa mission une fois remplie, le vaisseau spatial emportera avec lui les déchets de l’ISS pour son dernier voyage. En effet, le véhicule automatique sera alors guidé afin de se consumer lors de sa phase de rentrée dans les hautes couches de l’atmosphère.

ATV

En se dotant d’un tel vaisseau, l’Europe vise ainsi à rejoindre les pionniers russes et américains du transport spatial. Or les ambitions d’EADS et de l’agence spatiale européenne vont bien au-delà de cette utilisation de l’ATV comme simple ravitailleur.

En effet, ce cargo pourrait également dans le futur, remplir d’éventuelles missions bien plus lointaines, vers la Lune ou vers Mars par exemple.

Le développement de l’ATV permet donc à l’Europe de se placer en première ligne pour devenir un partenaire mondial incontournable en vue de l’exploration spatiale des prochaines décennies.

Contracté par l’ESA, le projet ATV implique une douzaine d’industriels dont 10 Européens, menés par EADS SPACE Transportation. Avec la coopération de 8 compagnies russes dirigées par RSC-Energia, le principal donneur d’ordre a construit le mécanisme d’amarrage, le système de ravitaillemant de carburant (livré cet été) et l’électronique associée au système de contrôle de l’équipement russe.

Europe takes up the challenge of the future

Europe is currently developing its first large space passenger vehicle. Indeed, the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a contract with the leading European aeronautic and defence company, EADS, for the development of the Autonomous Transfer Vehicle (ATV), the first space cargo aircraft ever designed on the continent, by its subsidiary EADS SPACE.

This European company specializes in the areas of space transportation and manned flights. It is also developing the Ariane 5 launcher, the Colombus laboratory as well as missiles for the French defence. It currently employs 12,000 persons in France, in Germany, the UK, and Spain.

The space vehicle is a technological prowess. It is 10 meters long (11 yards) 50 meters (54.7 yards) diameter, weighs 20 tons at takeoff, and will be entirely automated and autonomous.

It consists of three elements: the propulsion module, the avionics bay, and the "Cargo Carrier". Its flying capacity has just been electrically tested in Germany. This unmanned, non-reusable cargo spacecraft will reflect Europe’s contribution to the supply of cargo, water, fuel and other experimentation materials to the international space station (ISS). But the ATV will also have other tasks: once attached to the space station, it will regularly lock its orbit on a height of 400 km (250 miles) from the earth.

ATV

Once it has fulfilled its mission, the spacecraft will carry ISS’s waste along on its last voyage, as will be guided and will burn upon re-entry in the high layers of the atmosphere.

With whit vehicle, Europe plans to join the Russian and US pioneers of space transportation.

However, the ambitions of EADS and the European Space Agency are well beyond this use of ATV as a mere supply craft. In the future, it could also carry out much more distant missions, to the Moon or Mars for example.

With the development of the ATV, Europe is in pole position to become a world player for space exploration in the coming decades.

Après quatre années d’âpres négociation, l’Agence Spatiale Européenne (ESA) et l’Agence Spatiale Russe viennent enfin de signer un accord de coopération et de partenariat pour le développement et l’utilisation de lanceurs (Soyouz 2).

Cet accord comprend utilisation du Port Spatial de Kourou par des fusées Soyouz et le partage d’information en recherche et développement en vu de concevoir le future lanceur à l’horizon 2020. (Source ESA)