Company For Orion

Russia recently announced plans to team with the European Space Agency to build a new manned spacecraft. The craft will carry a crew of six, be able to go to the Moon as well as operate in Earth orbit, and should be ready by 2018. It will launch from the new complex Russia is building in western Siberia. As things stand, Russia will build the capsule, and ESA will build the service module and engine block.

Of course, this new ship is scheduled to be ready about the time NASA hopes its new ship, Orion, is taking astronauts back to the Moon. There could also be one or more private craft capable of orbital flight by then, and real destinations in Earth orbit for adventure tourists. Beyond all that, China has said it intends to put people on the Moon, and Japan has expressed interest in participating in an international nanned lunar program. The elements of such a program seem to be emerging. Now, if only someone can put them all together.

The fate of Soyuz is unclear. Presumably, the new craft would take over for the old Russian workhorse. However, Space Adventures, as reported in this blog, has already publicized plans to offer looping flights around the Moon in a Soyuz. The Soyuz, after all, was origunally designed to fly lunar missions, though none has ever been attempted. Russia, therefore, might conceivably continue to build Soyuz capsules to service private spaceflights. An historic Communist spaceship might end its career as the first privately operated spaceship capable of lunar voyages.