Progress Spacecraft
Explore the Progress spacecraft, Russia’s reliable cargo lifeline to the International Space Station, and learn about its missions and design.
The complete database of
Cargo Spacecraft
Cargo spacecraft are vehicles designed to transport supplies, equipment, and sometimes experiments to space destinations, such as space stations (or, in the future, to lunar bases). They play a critical role in supporting human and robotic missions by delivering essential items like food, water, fuel, spare parts, and scientific instruments. Witness the vital role of supply ships and cargo capsules in sustaining missions to space, delivering equipment, supplies, and resources to orbit.
Quick jump to: Cargo Capsules • Supply Ships
Types of Cargo Spacecraft
Cargo spacecraft can be reusable or expendable and are often automated, although some allow for manual control. Examples include SpaceX’s Dragon, which delivers and returns cargo from the International Space Station (ISS), and Russia‘s Progress, an expendable spacecraft that resupplies the ISS. These spacecraft are vital for maintaining operations in space and enabling long-term exploration efforts.
Cargo Capsules
A cargo capsule is a type of spacecraft or container designed specifically to transport supplies, equipment, and other cargo to and from space. Explore the workhorses of space transportation, ferrying payloads of supplies, experiments, and equipment to and from orbiting platforms and interplanetary destinations. Here are some popular ones:
Dragon 2 Cargo
Explore SpaceX’s Dragon 2 Cargo spacecraft, delivering vital supplies to the International Space Station, and learn about its missions.
Cygnus Spacecraft
Explore the Cygnus spacecraft, delivering essential supplies to the International Space Station, and learn about its missions and design.
Tianzhou Spacecraft
Explore Tianzhou, China’s cargo spacecraft supporting the Tiangong space station. Learn about its missions, design, and contributions.
H-II Transfer Vehicle
Explore Japan’s H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), delivering supplies to the International Space Station, and learn about its missions and design.
TKS Spacecraft
Discover the TKS spacecraft, a versatile vehicle pivotal in Soviet/Russian space exploration, and learn about its missions and design.
Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV)
Explore the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), Europe’s cargo spacecraft supporting the International Space Station.
Dragon XL Capsule
Dragon XL, SpaceX’s cargo spacecraft, is crucial for lunar exploration. See missions, design, and role in advancing space exploration.
Foton Spacecraft & Satellite
Explore the Foton spacecraft, a pioneering platform for scientific research in microgravity. Learn about its design and mission objectives.
Supply ships
Supply ships are spacecraft designed to transport cargo, equipment, and supplies to space stations like the ISS. They can carry essential items such as food, water, spare parts, and scientific experiments. Learn about the lifelines of space missions, delivering what’s needed to sustain astronauts aboard space stations and beyond.
Dream Chaser Plane
Discover Dream Chaser, the innovative cargo spacecraft offering autonomous cargo delivery and gentle runway landings.
SpaceX Starship
Explore the groundbreaking SpaceX Starship, revolutionizing space travel with its fully reusable design to enable crewed missions.
Prometheus Spacecraft (Concept)
The Prometheus spacecraft was designed to unlock the secrets of the universe through advanced propulsion and cutting-edge instruments.