ATV and Iss/Shuttle

Hi, this new cargo craft the EU is going to start sending to the ISS next
year, will it mean that no more of the cargo containers that sit in the
Shuttle cargo bay will be needed?

Also, if the Progress can get docked using existing navigational equipment,
whey do we need all that extra hardware bolted to the outside of the ISS?

Surely, the size should not be a factor, only the data needed to dock.

Brian

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On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 10:30:30 GMT, "Brian Gaff"
wrote:

Hi, this new cargo craft the EU is going to start sending to the ISS next
year, will it mean that no more of the cargo containers that sit in the
Shuttle cargo bay will be needed?

Also, if the Progress can get docked using existing navigational equipment,
whey do we need all that extra hardware bolted to the outside of the ISS?

Surely, the size should not be a factor, only the data needed to dock.

Brian


ESA is planning to send only one ATV per year to the ISS. The ATV can
carry 9,000 kg of cargo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_Transfer_Vehicle


The Shuttle MPLM can carry 10,000 kg of cargo. From the projected
launch schedule on the Unoffical Shuttle Manifest it appears NASA
plans to launch about two per year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-P...gistics_Module


The Progress can carry 2,600 kg of cargo. Russia has been launching
about three per year to the ISS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_spacecraft


Japan is also planning an unmanned ISS cargo vehicle called the HTV.
It can carry 8,000 kg of cargo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-II_Tr...icle_%28HTV%29


The ISS requires 7,000 kg of fuel per year to maintain its orbit.
A typical Progress mission carries 1,500 kg of fuel. The ISS has a
mean altitude loss per day of about 100 meters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interna..._Space_Station


Here is a diagram comparing the ATV, Progress and Apollo spacecraft:

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/ATV/SEM462VZJND_1.html


I don't know about the docking systems. Maybe ESA wanted to develop
their own.

- Rusty Barton

Rusty Barton wrote:
On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 10:30:30 GMT, "Brian Gaff"
wrote:
I don't know about the docking systems. Maybe ESA wanted to develop
their own.
... there are to posibilities. They will use RACSI or KURS system.
Z powazaniem
Adam Przybyla