The World’s Cargo Spacecraft

They aren’t in the news as much as the human spacecraft missions, but the cargo spacecraft are critical to supporting ongoing operations of space stations. This article provides a consolidated view of cargo spacecraft (inactive/retired, active, future) and associated articles.

Cargo spacecraft are fully automated and carry no crew. The spacecraft typically carry food, propellant, experiments, water, and other supplies to space stations. Cargo can be carried in pressurized or unpressurized storage. Propellant can be carried in specialized storage modules. The availability and capacity, of pressurized, unpressurized and propellant storage is dependent upon the spacecraft. Some cargo spacecraft support return of cargo to earth (e.g. experiments, equipment); but most are filled with refuse from the space station and burn up in the atmosphere on return.

Human spaceflight missions using Soyuz MS, Shenzhou and Crew Dragon also deliver and return cargo. However the capacity is limited compared to dedicated cargo spacecraft.

International Space Station Supply Spacecraft

Cargo Dragon INACTIVE

Cargo Dragon 2 ACTIVE

HTV Cargo Spacecraft INACTIVE

ATV Cargo Spacecraft INACTIVE

Cygnus Cargo Spacecraft ACTIVE

Progress Cargo Spacecraft ACTIVE

Dream Chaser Cargo Spacecraft FUTURE

HTV–X Cargo Spacecraft FUTURE

Axiom Space Station FUTURE

Cargo Dragon 2 ACTIVE

Cygnus Cargo Spacecraft ACTIVE

Dream Chaser Cargo Spacecraft FUTURE

Chinese Space Station Supply Spacecraft

Tianzhou Cargo Spacecraft ACTIVE

Lunar Gateway Space Station Supply Spacecraft

Cargo Dragon XL FUTURE

Starship HLS FUTURE

HTV–XG Cargo Spacecraft FUTURE

Cargo Storage Characteristics

Source: Wikipedia
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