Argo (Russian spacecraft)

Argo (Russian: Арго) is a proposed Russian reusable cargo spacecraft being developed by Reusable Space Transport Systems (MTKS), a private company.[1]

ARGO
DesignerMTKS
Country of originRussia
ApplicationsISS logistics
Websitehttp://www.rtss.space/argortss?lang=en
Specifications
Payload capacity
Payload to International Space Station (ISS) (407 km or 253 mi)
Mass2,000 kg (4,400 lb)
Payload to Earth return
Mass1,000 kg (2,200 lb)
Crew capacity0
Volume11 cubic meters of pressurised volume
Dimensions
Length5.6 meters
Diameter4.1 meters

Its first flight is expected in 2024.[2]

On September 1st, 2020, the Russian space agency has signed an agreement with MTKS about cooperation in the development of a new spacecraft.[3]

Design

The spacecraft is designed to serve as a reusable cargo vehicle for Russian spaceflight. It will be able to deliver up to 2,000 kilograms of cargo to the ISS and return with 1,000 kilograms of cargo. The full spacecraft mass is 11.5 tons.[4]

The chairman of the board of directors of MTKS clarified that the servicing of 10 Argo flights could be carried out directly at the cosmodrome, without transportation to the plant for major refurbishment.[4] The spacecraft will be able to fly and return no less than 20 times.

Production

MTKS plans to produce 4 Argo spacecraft for USD$ 136 million.[4] This cost will include their manufacturing, autonomous testing of spacecraft and all work before launch, but not the launches.

RSC Energia and TsNIIMash, as well as several other companies, will be involved in the production.[4]

See also

Comparable vehicles

References
  1. "ARGO". RTSS.
  2. "Russian engineers are planning a reusable cargo spaceship with cheaper transport costs than SpaceX". Meduza. 30 September 2019.
  3. "Roskosmos has agreed with a private company to create a competitor to Dragon (in Russian)". Naked Science. 2 October 2020.
  4. "MTKS will manufacture four samples of the Argo reusable spacecraft for $136 million (In Russian)". TASS. 15 July 2020.
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