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Russia Working on Soyuz Replacement

Posted by michael on from the do-you-feel-lucky dept.

Buran writes "The Associated Press is reporting that RKK Energia is starting design work on a new manned spacecraft able to carry a crew of six (or more) to the International Space Station. The vehicle may have a reusable crew module (current Soyuz TMA and Progress vehicles are disposable) and would theoretically finally allow ISS crew size to increase, as the current limiting factor is the capacity of the Soyuz spacecraft, designed in the early 1960s for manned lunar flights. (While Soyuz never flew to the Moon, its Zond circumlunar variant did so several times, and Soyuz and Progress craft have been resupplying various space stations for over three decades.) It will be interesting to see how this develops, as at present ISS crews spend more time maintaining the station than they do performing research, due to the fact that the station wasn't designed to operate with a crew as small as two or three people."

12 of 311 comments (clear)

  1. In Soviet Russia... by MattyCobb · · Score: 4, Funny

    In Soviet Russia Soyuz replaces YOU!

    hell, someone had to do it...

    --

    Matt
    You have 1 Moderator Point! Use it or lose it! Is that a threat? -vapid
    1. Re:In Soviet Russia... by Wedge1212 · · Score: 1, Funny

      I was gonna say.... In Soviet Russia rocket ship rides on you!

      --
      See Sig! See Sig Zig! Zig Sig Zig!!!!!
  2. Damn! Happened again! by Trillan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Every time slashdot mentions the ISS is falling apart, my mouse breaks.

    * Trillan chucks cordless mouse across the room.

    See? Again! I just can't figure it out.

    1. Re:Damn! Happened again! by Jackdaw+Rookery · · Score: 3, Funny

      You need a Soviet mouse then. Designed and built in three minutes from steel and random tubing, to help move it across the desk it comes with 24 mini jets clustered around it.

      It will last longer than cockroaches and be derided by everyone working on more complex and expensive solutions; but it will just go on working for decades to come.

      Now then, what was this thread about? Oh yeah ...

    2. Re:Damn! Happened again! by Trillan · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hmm. I think I just need one with a tether. I mean, cable.

  3. Right, that's the problem. by Jon_Sy · · Score: 5, Funny

    "due to the fact that the station wasn't designed to operate with a crew as small as two or three people."

    From all the articles i've read on /., it seems like it wasn't designed to operate, period.

    1. Re:Right, that's the problem. by My_Dirty_Facist_Ass · · Score: 3, Funny

      You read the articles?

      You must be new here.

  4. Re:Wait a minute by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Obligatory Simpsons Quote

    Russian official: The Soviet Union will be pleased to offer amnesty to your wayward vessel.
    American official: The Soviet Union? I thought you guys broke up.
    Russian official: Yes, that's what we wanted you to think! [laughs]

  5. Re:Wait a minute by wronskyMan · · Score: 3, Funny

    Their economy is in a slum right now; how are they paying?
    Typical capitalist criticism. Didn't you learn in PoliSci 101 how in Soviet Russia, the Soyuz pays for 60% of your income tax?

    --
    --- You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad- Neal (not Cowboy) Boortz
  6. What next?!? by Black+Parrot · · Score: 4, Funny


    First they replaced the beef in your burger with soyuz, now they're even going to replace the soyuz!

    They'll be serving us Soyuz Green before you know it!

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  7. Re:Building in space... by ckaminski · · Score: 2, Funny

    And not even then, because branches do break, and lightning sometimes does strike the same place twice.

  8. Re:Building in space... by AoT · · Score: 3, Funny

    We'd probably just be looking at the trees thinking how dangerous it would be to swing on them.

    --
    A blog about stuff.