Orbital Technologies Commercial Space Station
Encyclopedia
The Orbital Technologies Commercial Space Station is an orbital space
station
intended for commercial clients. The station was proposed in 2010 by Orbital Technologies, a Russia
n aerospace firm, who is collaborating to develop the station with Rocket and Space Corporation Energia
(RSC Energia).
As proposed, the station would consist of a single module of approximately 3 metres (9.8 ft) diameter with a usable volume of about 20 m³ (706.3 cu ft).
, the company was "looking to launch in the next five years or so," ... "in 2015 or 2016."
At that time, several customers were "under contract from the commercial space industry and the scientific community interested in areas such as medical research, protein crystallization, and materials processing, as well as from the geographic imaging and remote-sensing industry. Media projects have also been proposed [as have] tourism
."
, who is also encouraging private participation. It is hoped the station "will attract private investment for the Russian space industry."
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
station
Space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
intended for commercial clients. The station was proposed in 2010 by Orbital Technologies, a Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n aerospace firm, who is collaborating to develop the station with Rocket and Space Corporation Energia
S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia
OAO S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia , also known as RKK Energiya, is a Russian manufacturer of spacecraft and space station components...
(RSC Energia).
As proposed, the station would consist of a single module of approximately 3 metres (9.8 ft) diameter with a usable volume of about 20 m³ (706.3 cu ft).
, the company was "looking to launch in the next five years or so," ... "in 2015 or 2016."
At that time, several customers were "under contract from the commercial space industry and the scientific community interested in areas such as medical research, protein crystallization, and materials processing, as well as from the geographic imaging and remote-sensing industry. Media projects have also been proposed [as have] tourism
Space tourism
Space Tourism is space travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. A number of startup companies have sprung up in recent years, hoping to create a space tourism industry...
."
Financial sponsors
The station is receiving support from the Russian Federal Space AgencyRussian Federal Space Agency
The Russian Federal Space Agency , commonly called Roscosmos and abbreviated as FKA and RKA , is the government agency responsible for the Russian space science program and general aerospace research. It was previously the Russian Aviation and Space Agency .Headquarters of Roscosmos are located...
, who is also encouraging private participation. It is hoped the station "will attract private investment for the Russian space industry."
Servicing
The station "will be serviced by Russian Soyuz and Progress spacecraft and potentially other commercially available vehicles."See also
- International Space StationInternational Space StationThe International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
- Bigelow Commercial Space StationBigelow Commercial Space StationThe Bigelow Next-Generation Commercial Space Station is a private orbital space complex currently under development by Bigelow Aerospace. The space station will be constructed of both Sundancer and BA 330 expandable spacecraft modules as well as a central docking node, propulsion, solar arrays,...
- Salyut space station
- Mir space station