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LifestreamThe European Space Agency (ESA) on Friday pledged its backing for Russia’s plans for manned spacecraft called Kliper.Kliper (Clipper), the brainchild of Russian space corporation RKK Energia, is sketched as a successor to the venerable Cold War workhorse of space, the Soyuz capsule. It would be a reusable, wingless space plane that would glide back to Earth, with up to seven people on board. It would be used for ferry services to the International Space Station (ISS) or for space tourism.
Source: Space Daily
At least someone is doing something to alleviate the apparent shortage of vessels capable of ferrying people into orbit and back. Schematics and renderings. Also at the Paris Air Show.
This should be a win-win situation.
Not only will it enable Russian space technology to be used by us but it will give employment to many people in that country and potentially stop technology leaks to other "countries"
Russia has a long history in the developement and use of such vehicles too.Also if this comes to fruition it would cost less to manufacter to as Russian labour costs are lower too.We also have Ariane 5 and the Russian have a multitude of reliable cheap launchers.They could even revive the Energia rocket used in the Buran programme.
I just hope that our stupid governments don’t try to be too finicky.After all the Indians and Chinese may be interested too!