Andrews Cargo Module
Encyclopedia
The Andrews Cargo Module was a proposed design for an unmanned resupply spacecraft which would deliver cargo to the International Space Station
(ISS). Andrews Space
proposed to NASA
that spacecraft of this design be used for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services
(COTS) program. The proposal was ultimately rejected in favor of the SpaceX
Dragon and the Orbital Sciences Cygnus
.
.
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
(ISS). Andrews Space
Andrews Space
Andrews Space is a small aerospace company based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1999 to develop space systems. Andrews provides aerospace services for commercial, civil, and military clients.-Current projects:...
proposed to NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
that spacecraft of this design be used for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services
Commercial Orbital Transportation Services
Commercial Orbital Transportation Services is a NASA program to coordinate the delivery of crew and cargo to the International Space Station by private companies. The program was announced on January 18, 2006...
(COTS) program. The proposal was ultimately rejected in favor of the SpaceX
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or more popularly and informally known as SpaceX, is an American space transport company that operates out of Hawthorne, California...
Dragon and the Orbital Sciences Cygnus
Cygnus spacecraft
The Cygnus spacecraft is an unmanned resupply spacecraft being developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation and Thales Alenia Space as part of NASA's COTS project. It is designed to transport supplies to the International Space Station after the retirement of the Space Shuttle...
.
Design
The spacecraft consists of a common Service Module, a Pressurized Cargo Module (PCM) or an Unpressurized Cargo Module (UCM), and a Recovery Module.Associated launch vehicle
The spacecraft was to be launched on the proposed Hercules launch vehicleLaunch vehicle
In spaceflight, a launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket used to carry a payload from the Earth's surface into outer space. A launch system includes the launch vehicle, the launch pad and other infrastructure....
.