This is a wonderful message, except for the part about it being accurate.


(Carsten Nielsen) wrote in message . com...


The ex-Soviets always have one Bureau design the lower part of the
launcher, i.e. the launcher minus upper stage.

The Bureau that designs the space craft also designs the last stage to
fit with the payload.

Or at least they apparently did in soviet times.

The stages underneath the last stage were the same no matter the
payload, the last stage was probably using the same engine, but
totally the responsability of those who were also responsible for the
payload.

I still think Progress is develloped by taking the Soyuz work drawings
and replacing the descent module with a fuel sectio n of roughly the
same mass and mass distribution, the orbital module with one carying
supplies, again roghly the same mass and size, and minimal changes to
the service module, too.

Regards

Carsten Nielsen
Denmark