Russia's new manned spacecraft

The six-person Clipper is designed to replace Russia's three-person Soyuz capsule, which has been in operation since the 1960s and is currently the only reliable transport to the International Space Station. Lighter than Nasa's shuttle and more powerful than the Soyuz, the Clipper will be more than just a taxi to the International Space Station (ISS). "It could even go to the moon," notes Esa official Manuel Valls.

The Russian Federal Space Agency showed off a full-scale mock-up of the craft at the Moscow International Air Show in last August. If all goes well that is, if there's the funding design studies of the Clipper could begin in early 2006.

The 13-ton Clipper is nearly twice the weight of the Soyuz capsule and thus requires a stronger launcher. The 21-foot-long passenger cabin and re-entry vehicle will accommodate six crew members (two pilots and four other astronauts or tourists), plus 1,100 pounds of cargomore than 10 times that of the Soyuz.

Energia, the developer of the Soyuz spacecraft, has been working on the brand-new vehicle for a few years and it looks like they have been doing a good job. The craft might be a very nice and cost effective reusable re-entry vehicle: something the shuttle always wanted to be but never actually was.

The craft's exterior consists of heat-resistant ceramic panels that will act as a heat shield designed to endure several flights before requiring replacement. The 13-foot-long detachable habitation module contains life-support systems, including a toilet, as well as the docking port for the International Space Station. The ship's instrument module houses the power thrusters to separate the Clipper from its launcher and to manoeuvre the spacecraft. It also contains the electrical system, which is powered by extendable solar arrays. Both the instrument module and the habitation module are jettisoned before re-entry. The craft's stubby wings enable the pilot to steer during the descent and make a controlled landing on an airport runway. In case of an emergency, parachutes ensure that the Clipper can land safely on the plains of central Russia.

Although the Soyuz is currently used for supplying the International Space Station after the US shuttle fleet was grounded pending investigation into the destruction of the shuttle Columbia during its return to Earth in February 2003, it isn't much efficient. For each launch, it costs half as much as the Shuttle does, but only delivers one-fifth of the cargo. This means it takes the Soyuz five flights and double the amount of money to deliver the same amount of cargo as the shuttle. That Clipper would be much more efficient in this job.

However, what many wanted to see was some agencies develop a new space plane or a space craft with the wings that are retractable or a cheap craft that could go on a mission to the planets.

At the current rate of development, the United States probably wouldn't have an alternative to the shuttle for another 10 to 15 years. If that happens, the Clipper would be a sound, practical design for an alternative vehicle. This Russian design has been quiet smart and investment in its future could be the key to choosing what the future of space will be. However, there have been a lot of great efforts that never faced the light due to financial and political reasons. Only time will tell what the future of the Clipper would be.