TKS-Based Spacecraft

In March 2005, Khrunichev enterprise, Russia's leading developer of rocket technology and spacecraft, unveiled ambitious plans for the country's participation in the US-led exploration of the Moon. The Moscow-based company proposed a SUPER heavy-lift rocket booster, along with a new generation of partially reusable spacecraft, which could be used to support manned expeditions to the Moon.

Follow-on to the TKS series

In addition to the heavy-lift launch-vehicle, Khrunichev concurrently proposed a new manned spacecraft, loosely based on the company's long-lasting TKS family of space tugs and modules. A partially reusable vehicle could carry up to 6 people -- not coincidentally a full crew of the International Space Station -- but also clearly featured capabilities for deep-space missions. The spacecraft, would put Khrunichev on a collision course with its old-time rival -- RKK Energia -- which earlier proposed Kliper spacecraft with similar capabilities.

The New spacecraft would be launched by a "man-rated" version of the Angara-3 booster, which was designated Angara-A3M.

The interior of the new version of the TKS spacecraft was designed to accommodate as many as six people.

Technical specifications of the follow-on to the TKS series of spacecraft:

• Liftoff mass 14 tons
• Crew 2-6 people
• Number of flights 10
• Payload to LEO 6,350 kilograms
• Payload from orbit 1,870 kg

Another TKS-based spacecraft is Excalibur Almaz's modernized TKS VA capsule, which is intended for private spaceflight.