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Who May Build It: RSC Energia, who also built the Soviet Space Shuttle Buran
Key Features: Winged lifting-body reentry vehicle, reusable up to 25 times
Powerplant: Unknown--may be launched aboard upgraded Soyuz 2 rocket
Capability: Low Earth orbit for ISS re-crew and resupply. Potentially Moon and Mars
Payload to Orbit: Six crew and up to 700kg of cargo
System It Replaces: Soyuz, abandoned Buran Space Shuttle clone
Due Date: Unclear--Energia has suggested manned test-flight by 2012
This little space plane was at one stage going to be the PPTS, and there was going to be significant European technical input, to rival to the Orion program--which is a US-only project. Kliper's design and mission evolved, the EU dropped out, and the project's central funding was canceled. But depending on where you look, there are hints that Energia may be developing on key concepts from the Kliper program, and it may yet evolve into a future privately-developed space plane.










