Unmanned resupply spacecraft
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Unmanned resupply spacecraft are a special kind of robotic spacecraft designed to support space station operation that operate autonomously without a human crew. This is different from space probes, which mission is to conduct scientific investigations.
Resuply spacecraft have been used since 1978 to service the Salyut 6, Salyut 7, Mir and International Space Station.
Spacecraft in this category include:
- The Russian Progress spacecraft, used since 1978
- The Russian TKS spacecraft, used from 1981 to 1991
- The European Automated Transfer Vehicle, with a planned first flight in 2007
- The Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle, with a planned first flight in 2009
