Russia to Develop a New-Generation Manned Spacecraft

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A possible configuration of the PTK NP spacecraft with an additional mission module, which could be based on the Docking Compartment or a node module of the ISS. The head of the Russian space agency Anatoly Perminov first mentioned such option in April 2010.

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OS Manned transportation spacecraft PKK-S (2008 version)

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Novosti Komonavtiki Magazine, N9 2008 First article about PPTS:

[Lars_J]

I am a bit curious about the heat shield or insulation around the capsule. Perhaps it is just artistic licence - But it looks like the color of the insulation 'tiles' (or whatever they may be) indicate that the capsule is designed for a lifting reentry at a pretty extreme angle - more than Apollo or Soyuz, it seems.

But if that is the case, the G forces for the 3 of the crew (in the layout for 6) should be quite uncomfortable, since the essentially are riding upside down.

Or is there another idea behind the blacker coating of one side of the capsule?

[fregate]

AFAIK an aerodynamic factor for VA (L/D ratio) should be comparable with Apollo CM.
3G - for a controlled descent, 12G for ballistic.
By design there is a offset between vertical axe and center of mass location to make sure that VA enters atmosphere with right attack angle, to guarantee that heat would affect the "right" side of VA, please note that opposite side has a block of RCS engines.     

[Proponent]

With RKA requirement to keep spacecraft docked to station for a duration up to one year it'll be impossible to utilize a liquid propellant in power landing system.

Ah, so that's the reason for using solids.

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VA Landing precision:
- Major contractor (RCS Energia) announced radius 2-2.5 km;
- according to the Feb 2009 RSA Tender  - at least 10 km;
- according to the Oct 2010 RSA Tender  - at least 5 km.     

The spacecraft fleet under PPTS Program according to Feb 2009 tender should have the following spacecraft configurations:
- Base Configuration for LEO orbital station crew/cargo transport; (this is became PKK-S)   
- Lunar configuration for LLO crew/cargo transport;
- Autonomous (stand-alone) configuration for LEO (this is became PKK-Z)   ;
- Cargo unmanned disposable configuration for OS, satellites and modules supply (as well as space garbage collection/utilization);
- Commercial configuration (space tourism);
- Cargo unmanned return to Earth configuration. (this is became GVK-S).

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PKK-Z images from RussianSpaceWeb and NK forum:

Apollo-style spacecraft separation, turn, docking and retrieve OM maneuvers

[Danderman]

A couple of notes:

This "node" has a diameter of 3.3 meters, same as the proposed Commercial Space Station node, so it looks like someone has come up with tooling for 3.3 meter diameter hardware at Energia.

Also, the architecture for adding the node, ie the Apollo-style "turnaround" docking requires the Node to carry a rear docking port, with a cost of some 200 kg, plus the upper stage now must support extended mission times in LEO for the docking, which is a first for Russia. The upside is that the Node can be left at the space station, for expansion purposes.

What I see is that Energia is doing what NASA contractors often do, at the request of NASA (via the bidding requirements), showing every single conceivable expansion capability for a core concept, when the core concept itself is rarely fully funded. So, just because we will see a lot of expansion capabilities, its unlikely that these will ever be funded.

In fact, I see this entire concept to be junked when and if Orion gets junked, its the classic Soviet-style "imitate NASA". Typically, the Russians kill their imitations of NASA a couple of years after the original NASA concepts are killed, in this case, Roskosmos has not figured out that Orion is probably a zombie, so this PPTK noise probably has got a year or two of Powerpoint activity left in it. If Energia were smart, they would try to extract $$ for Soyuz upgrades in the name of preparing for PPTK.

[zaitcev]

If Energia were smart, they would try to extract $$ for Soyuz upgrades in the name of preparing for PPTK.

They already have, see the tread "More Soyuz TMA modifications".

[Danderman]

If Energia were smart, they would try to extract $$ for Soyuz upgrades in the name of preparing for PPTK.

They already have, see the tread "More Soyuz TMA modifications".

I mean, even more.

For example, simply upgrading the Soyuz solar panels with better cells is one thing, but making the solar panels steerable is a significant improvement that would save significant amounts of propellant.

Fitting the Soyuz descent module with the PPTS tiles may allow it to be reusable.

Modifying the location of the Soyuz thrusters may save propellant and also allow greater amounts of cargo to be carried in the orbital module (right now, use of the Soyuz 2-1b LV for the Soyuz spacecraft is pointless because of cargo limitations partially due to current thruster locations).

There may even be an opportunity to use the new Node as an orbital module in place of the current one.

I'm not saying that Energia isn't smart, but if they remember that Roskosmos seems to follow NASA's lead on these new programs, and NASA now invariably cancels its flagship programs, then they should prepare for that possibility by using available funds to upgrade the Soyuz spacecraft - which could be the only spacecraft able to carry humans to ISS for the rest of this decade.   

[Ben the Space Brit]

Interesting overall architecture.  It looks like they're planning for the vehicle to be a 'go anywhere, do anything' crew vehicle, much as some have proposed for Orion.  Any word on how likely this is to be funded and to reach operational status?

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So far Russian Space Agency funded Preliminary Design (RUB 800 millions) in 2008 and it is going to fund in 2010-2012 the first stage of Detail Technical Design (RUB 2 billions) starting from this November. Decision on budget of the Second stage Detail Technical Design most likely would be announced in Oct 2012.
Meanwile RSA and DoD (not quite sure) also funded Design of LV for spacecrafts under PPTS initiative. 

[patchfree]

I desagree with Danderman.

Probably the PTS like (Orion like) spacecraft will be the kind of spacecraft which perfectly fit the 21th century space activities.

I bet that NASA (may be through COTS/private developments) will eventually follow the russian way in a few years.

By cancelling the initial Orion project Obama offered a unique opportunity to Russia to take the lead in spite of a 1/6 NASA budget!

But wait and see.

[manboy]

I desagree with Danderman.

Probably the PTS like (Orion like) spacecraft will be the kind of spacecraft which perfectly fit the 21th century space activities.

I bet that NASA (may be through COTS/private developments) will eventually follow the russian way in a few years.

By cancelling the initial Orion project Obama offered a unique opportunity to Russia to take the lead in spite of a 1/6 NASA budget!

But wait and see.

Seeing as how it doesn't appear to be capable of a Mars mission, it doesn't seem likely.

Interesting overall architecture.  It looks like they're planning for the vehicle to be a 'go anywhere, do anything' crew vehicle, much as some have proposed for Orion.  Any word on how likely this is to be funded and to reach operational status?

So far the listed requirements seem to make it limited to LEO and the moon.