Thales Alenia Space and Space Cargo Unlimited are planning to create an unmanned spacecraft. It will be called REV1
What is known
The spacecraft will be able to transport cargoweighing up to 1 ton, and its dimensions will be comparable to the dimensions of a compact machine. The REV1 unmanned scheme will make it possible to simplify the design of the ship as much as possible and facilitate the design.
The maximum payload mass does not go intowhat a comparison in manned ships. This is because there is no need to install equipment to protect the lives of astronauts. At the same time, pressure will be maintained inside REV1 for experiments after docking the spacecraft with the orbital station. By the way, Thales Alenia Space is also designing the station.
REV1 in about 10 years will be able to perform abouttwo dozen missions. The first flight of the spacecraft is scheduled for the end of 2025. Details of the work will be made public closer to this time, but for now, Space Cargo Unlimited announces that it has received preliminary approvals for industrial operations in orbit.