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
