Cosmopolis XXI
Encyclopedia
Cosmopolis XXI is a planned Russian vehicle that is billed as a space tourism
vehicle, similar to Mojave Aerospace's Tier One
program. Designed and built by the Myasishchev Design Bureau
, it would use the M-55X launch aircraft (derived from Myasishchev M-55
), and the proposed C-21 spaceplane
or its successor the Explorer. It would be a TSTSO (Two-Stage to SubOrbit) launch platform.
The Explorer spaceplane
is a suborbital tourist spaceplane
based on the C-21 design. The plane is being developed by Space Adventures
with the Russian Federal Space Agency
and is designed to carry 5 passengers. It is to be air-launched by carrier aircraft from a Space Adventures spaceport
. The spaceport for the Explorer is being developed with Prodea (the company of Anousheh
and Amir Ansari
, who funded the Ansari X-Prize) in the United Arab Emirates
, the Ras Al Khaimah spaceport
.
Space tourism
Space Tourism is space travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. A number of startup companies have sprung up in recent years, hoping to create a space tourism industry...
vehicle, similar to Mojave Aerospace's Tier One
Tier One
Tier One is Scaled Composites' program of suborbital human spaceflight using the reusable spacecraft SpaceShipOne and its launcher White Knight. The craft was designed by Burt Rutan, and the project is funded 20 million US Dollars by Paul Allen...
program. Designed and built by the Myasishchev Design Bureau
Myasishchev
V. M. Myasishchev Experimental Design Bureau or OKB-23, founded in 1951 by Vladimir Myasishchev) was one of the chief Soviet aerospace design bureaus until its dissolution in 1960. Vladimir Myasishchev went on to head TsAGI...
, it would use the M-55X launch aircraft (derived from Myasishchev M-55
Myasishchev M-55
|-See also:-External links:* * *...
), and the proposed C-21 spaceplane
Spaceplane
A spaceplane is a vehicle that operates as an aircraft in Earth's atmosphere, as well as a spacecraft when it is in space. It combines features of an aircraft and a spacecraft, which can be thought of as an aircraft that can endure and maneuver in the vacuum of space or likewise a spacecraft that...
or its successor the Explorer. It would be a TSTSO (Two-Stage to SubOrbit) launch platform.
The Explorer spaceplane
Spaceplane
A spaceplane is a vehicle that operates as an aircraft in Earth's atmosphere, as well as a spacecraft when it is in space. It combines features of an aircraft and a spacecraft, which can be thought of as an aircraft that can endure and maneuver in the vacuum of space or likewise a spacecraft that...
is a suborbital tourist spaceplane
Spaceplane
A spaceplane is a vehicle that operates as an aircraft in Earth's atmosphere, as well as a spacecraft when it is in space. It combines features of an aircraft and a spacecraft, which can be thought of as an aircraft that can endure and maneuver in the vacuum of space or likewise a spacecraft that...
based on the C-21 design. The plane is being developed by Space Adventures
Space Adventures
Space Adventures, Ltd. is a Virginia, USA-based space tourism company founded in 1998 by Eric C. Anderson. , offerings include zero-gravity atmospheric flights, orbital spaceflights , and other spaceflight-related experiences including cosmonaut training, spacewalk training, and launch tours...
with the Russian Federal Space Agency
Russian Federal Space Agency
The Russian Federal Space Agency , commonly called Roscosmos and abbreviated as FKA and RKA , is the government agency responsible for the Russian space science program and general aerospace research. It was previously the Russian Aviation and Space Agency .Headquarters of Roscosmos are located...
and is designed to carry 5 passengers. It is to be air-launched by carrier aircraft from a Space Adventures spaceport
Spaceport
A spaceport or cosmodrome is a site for launching spacecraft, by analogy with seaport for ships or airport for aircraft. The word spaceport, and even more so cosmodrome, has traditionally been used for sites capable of launching spacecraft into orbit around Earth or on interplanetary trajectories...
. The spaceport for the Explorer is being developed with Prodea (the company of Anousheh
Anousheh Ansari
Anousheh Ansari is an engineer and the Iranian-American co-founder and chairman of Prodea Systems. Her previous business accomplishments include serving as co-founder and CEO of Telecom Technologies, Inc. . The Ansari family is also the title sponsor of the Ansari X Prize. On September 18, 2006,...
and Amir Ansari
Amir Ansari
Amir Ansari is co-founder of venture capital firm Prodea Systems, Inc. Along with his sister-in-law Anousheh Ansari, he made a multi-million dollar contribution to the X PRIZE foundation on May 5, 2004, the 43rd anniversary of Alan Shepard's sub-orbital spaceflight...
, who funded the Ansari X-Prize) in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, the Ras Al Khaimah spaceport
Ras Al Khaimah spaceport
The Ras Al Khaimah spaceport will be located in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. It is a joint venture between Prodea and Space Adventures, and will be used to launch suborbital tourist flights in the Space Adventures Explorer spaceplane.-External links:* * * * * -See...
.
External links
- Space Tourism Pioneers, Space Adventures and the Ansari X Prize Title Sponsors, to Provide First Suborbital Spaceflight Tourism Vehicles (SpaceAdventures)
- New group to develop passenger spaceship (MSNBC)
- C-21 Spacecraft at Space AdventuresSpace AdventuresSpace Adventures, Ltd. is a Virginia, USA-based space tourism company founded in 1998 by Eric C. Anderson. , offerings include zero-gravity atmospheric flights, orbital spaceflights , and other spaceflight-related experiences including cosmonaut training, spacewalk training, and launch tours...