Europe showed the layout of manned spacecraft
The company EADS Astrium, as reported by the Air Force, demonstrated at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin mock manned space vehicle ATV Evolution.
Crew compartment layout ATV Evolution (picture from the site of the Air Force)
The emergence of Europe's own manned apparatus will reduce dependence on Russia and the United States. The point is that now the EU on delivery astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station had to rely on U.S. shuttles and Russian Soyuz.
The project piloted vehicles ATV Evolution is a further development programme ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle), which was created within the first European spacecraft "Jules Verne". Recall that "Jules Verne", intended for delivery of various cargoes to the ISS, was launched on March 9 this year rocket Ariane-5. And early last month apparatus successfully to join with the space station.
The concept of ATV Evolution implies replacement loading compartment ship "Jules Verne" for the crew capsule. The presentation at an exhibition in Berlin model, which, incidentally, made life-size, the capsule is very spacious. But the authors of the draft, note that in reality everything will be different because the compartment pilots will be filled with appliances and equipment.
In the event that European authorities would approve a project to develop manned space vehicle, it will be implemented in two phases. The first planned modification of ATV, for the delivery of large cargo for the International Space Station to Earth - now there is no such possibility. Such a device can be started as early as 2013, but on its development will require approximately one billion euros. At the creation of the manned spacecraft already will need two billion euros, its launch could be implemented in 2017. During the withdrawal ATV Evolution into orbit, presumably, will be responsible rocket Ariane-5.
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