Russian cargo return inflatable

SpaceNut · 2005-10-07 08:00:05

This was noted elsewhere a long time ago but I am not turning up the thread that it was in.

Demonstrator mini-shuttle successfully lands on Kamchatka

The Demonstrator is an inflatable craft produced by the Russian Lavochkin Company under a contract with EADS. In future it is planned to deliver it to the International Space Station (ISS) in a folded state on Russian Progress cargo spaceships. It will then take several tons of cargoes and descend. Before the entry into the dense layers of the atmosphere the mini-shuttle will inflate with nitrogen. The craft is protected against the heat of 6000 degrees.
Designers said it will make the cargo return much cheaper compared to US space shuttles.
“A successful test of the device will make it possible to use it not only for the return of cargo, but also for the evacuation of the ISS crew, and for a soft landing on other planets,” the Lavochkin Company said.

This is a very interesting concept.

Russia test launches sea-based missile carrying spacecraft

The Demonstrator spacecraft was developed under a European Space Agency contract and is designed to return payloads from orbit without a heavy heat shield and parachute system through the use of an Inflatable Re-Entry and Descent Technology (IRDT) system. An inflatable cone provides protection during re-entry and a second inflatable extension of the cone reduces the speed to ensure a safe landing.

The way that it is described as well could lead to an emergency bailout pod if it could isolate the astronaut well enough.

Palomar · 2005-10-07 09:02:33

*I read the Yahoo! article. Mentions use in transport/ISS. Some highlights from that:

Its collapsible, cone-shaped body is made of light material that can withstand high temperatures and it can fly on a predictable trajectory without engines — making it a cheap alternative to the Soyuz spacecraft currently in use.

Cool. Is that similar to the collapsable "fire tents" which firefighters use (open, cover oneself, fall to the ground in case the fire line passes over you)? ::edit:: Without engines? Hmmmm.

"A successful test of the device will make it possible to use it not only for the return of cargo, but also for the evacuation of the ISS crew, and for a soft landing on other planets," ITAR-Tass quoted the Lavochkin Co. as saying.

Soft landing on other planets. Great...now when is that going to happen?

Three previous launches failed, ITAR-Tass said, but this time the Demonstrator launched successfully.
"The unfolding and inflating system worked successfully in space, the craft's heat protection worked in the dense layers of the atmosphere"

Interesting.

--Cindy

SpaceNut · 2005-10-07 09:06:27

The inflatable sounds or reminded me sort of or is like the ESA Exomars sample and return.

publiusr · 2005-10-13 10:38:56

That is a good picture. The missile is the Bulava ICBM. The former Soviets have had a devil of a time with those liquid fueled Volna SLBMs and the Bulava is a solid like Polaris/Poseidon/Trident.

And I thought Bulava was just the name of a watch.

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#1 2005-10-07 08:00:05

Re: Russian cargo return inflatable

#2 2005-10-07 09:02:33

Re: Russian cargo return inflatable

#3 2005-10-07 09:06:27

Re: Russian cargo return inflatable

#4 2005-10-13 10:38:56

Re: Russian cargo return inflatable

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