Orbital module

Space Tug concept, 1970s

The orbital module is a portion of spacecraft used only in orbit. It is separated from the manned reentry capsule before reentry. The orbital module provides 'habitat' space to use in orbit, while the reentry capsule tends to be focused on the machinery needed to get seated passengers back safely, with heavy structural margins. These have developed from the Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.

Soyuz orbit module

Soyuz spacecraft's Orbital Module

The orbit module is a spherical part of Soviet-Russian Soyuz space ship series. Designed for use only in orbit, the module does not need to be strengthened to survive re-entry, allowing it to provide more usable space for less weight than other manned capsule designs.

It serves mainly as a living compartment during orbital flight, and when used as a space station ferry it stores cargo on ascent and is filled with trash which burns up on descent.^[1] On early Soyuz missions the module was used for experiments and even as an airlock for the Soyuz 4/Soyuz 5 EVA crew transfer.

Shenzhou orbit module

In the Chinese Shenzhou spacecraft, the orbital module has been upgraded to carry its own solar panels and orbital maneuver system, so it is capable of operating independently as an unmanned free-flying spacecraft after separating from the reentry module and the service module.

Other orbit modules

The present form of the planned Euro-Russian CSTS (Crew Space Transportation System) also follows the three module layout of the Soyuz and will include an orbital module.

See also

• Reentry module
• Service module
• Command module
• Space capsule

References