Josephine Moulds scopes out the largest manned spacecraft

THE SPACE RACE IS BACK ON. The players have changed and the stakes are rising, but competition remains just as fierce as it was in the 60s. While the US maintains its leading presence, it is now competing with the likes of China, rushing to capitalise on its newfound wealth. India, meanwhile, is lagging a little, but determined to catch up with its near neighbour and long-time rival. The contest gets ever more critical as countries mount weapons on their satellites, opening a whole new frontier in warfare. In 2007, China shot down one of India’s weather satellites, placing it alongside Russia and the US as the only countries capable of such a feat.

1 The International Space Station (ISS)

A joint project between the US, Russia, Japan, Canada and 10 European countries, the first part of the ISS was launched into orbit in 1998. It’s been under construction ever since and is now nearly 80% finished. On completion, the facility will measure 110m end to end. Six space tourists have visited the ISS, each paying around US$25m for the privilege.

2 The Space Transportation System (STS)

The STS, also know as the Space Shuttle, was launched by NASA in 1977. Thanks to a level of reusability, its six different incarnations have seen a staggering 122 missions, at a cost of US$170bn, carrying crews to the ISS, collecting satellites and doing maintenance work. Endeavour, the STS’s most recent shuttle stretched to a length of 37.24m.


3 Shenzhou

This Chinese manned spaceship looks a lot like Russia’s Soyuz, having benefited from its fellow communist country’s expertise. Work began on the vessel in 1992, but limited funding meant the first manned flight did not take place until 2003. It launched in 2005 with a two-man crew. China is thought to have spent about US$2.3bn on its manned space programme in recent years.

4 Soyuz

Russia’s contribution to the space race is remarkable for its longevity. The first manned Soyuz mission took place in April 1967, though the astronaut on board, Vladimir Mikhaylovich Komarov, died in a crash-landing. Since then, various incarnations of the Soyuz have undertaken a total of 100 missions, with another four planned this year. The most recent of the Soyuz shuttles measures 7.48m in length.

Under construction

The US is building a replacement for the Space Transportation System, due to undertake its final mission in 2010. The new Orion crew exploration vehicle is scheduled to make its first flight to the International Space Station by 2014, and to the moon by 2020. It will be 3m long with a diameter of 5m, and will carry four to six astronauts.

India’s space organisation, ISRO, is waiting on government approval for a proposal to launch a manned spaceship by 2015. Japan’s JAXA is aiming to put a man on the moon by 2020 and build a lunar base by 2030.