KOROLYOV. Nov 30 (Interfax-AVN) - The new-generation Kliper manned spacecraft is to head for the International Space Station in 2010-2012, Yury Semenov, President of the Energia Rocket and Space Corporation, told reporters Tuesday.
"The date depends on the funding. We have some technological difficulties, but we are sure to solve them. We will reach the ISS no later than 2010 or 2012. If we join efforts with Europe or some country, it will take even less time," he said.
According to him, Energia and other research and development institutions and organizations will be ready with the results of the research under the project before this year-end.
"They will specify the problems that may occur, and the ways to solve them," he said.
The new spacecraft will be a shuttle intended to take to orbit and bring back up to six men and 500 kg of cargoes.
Two configurations are being thought over: the so-called 'all body design' and the winged aircraft type.
Semenov added that the Sukhoi company and the TsAGI research institute are participating in the development of the latter configuration. The sketch of the spacecraft is due in early 2005.
"We try to get funding for the project already in 2005," Semenov said.
The spacecraft primary specs are expected as follows: weight 13 tonnes, reusable capsule weight 8.8 tonnes, cockpit volume 20 cubic meters, endurance five days, endurance when docked to a space station 360 days.
A source in the corporation said that the first launch of the spacecraft is scheduled for 2010. A total of four such vehicles will be built, each capable of 25 re-entries. The Zenit launch vehicle of the Dnepropetrovsk-based Yuzhnoye design bureau is expected to orbit the new spacecraft.