Spacecraft & Vehicles

Cargo Spacecraft

Cargo Capsules

Explore the workhorses of space transportation, ferrying payloads of supplies, experiments, and equipment to and from orbiting platforms and interplanetary destinations. Some popular examples of cargo capsules include SpaceX Dragon and Dragon2 (used by SpaceX for NASA‘s Commercial Resupply Services to the ISS), Northrop Grumman Cygnus (which delivers cargo to the ISS but does not return to Earth), Progress, HTV, and Tianzhou.

What is a Cargo Capsule?

A cargo capsule is a type of spacecraft or container designed specifically to transport supplies, equipment, and other cargo to and from space. Unlike crewed spacecraft, cargo capsules are typically uncrewed and optimized for carrying payloads rather than passengers. They play a crucial role in supporting space missions, particularly for resupplying space stations like the International Space Station (ISS).

All Cargo Capsules

Cargo capsules are critical for maintaining the operations of space stations and enabling long-term human presence in space. They are also a stepping stone for future space exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Here are the most popular cargo capsules from various countries:

Foton Spacecraft & Satellite - Spacecraft Database - USSR/Russia

Foton Spacecraft & Satellite

Explore the Foton spacecraft, a pioneering platform for scientific research in microgravity. Learn about its design and mission objectives.

Dragon XL - Spacecraft & Space Database - United States

Dragon XL Capsule

Dragon XL, SpaceX’s cargo spacecraft, is crucial for lunar exploration. See missions, design, and role in advancing space exploration.

Automated Transfer Vehicle - Spacecraft & Space Database - ESA

Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV)

Explore the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), Europe’s cargo spacecraft supporting the International Space Station.

TKS - Spacecraft & Space Database - Soviet Union / Russia

TKS Spacecraft

Discover the TKS spacecraft, a versatile vehicle pivotal in Soviet/Russian space exploration, and learn about its missions and design.

H-II Transfer Vehicle - Spacecraft & Space Database - Japan

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.

Tianzhou - Spacecraft & Space Database - China

Tianzhou Spacecraft

Explore Tianzhou, China’s cargo spacecraft supporting the Tiangong space station. Learn about its missions, design, and contributions.

Cygnus - Spacecraft & Space Database - United States

Cygnus Spacecraft

Explore the Cygnus spacecraft, delivering essential supplies to the International Space Station, and learn about its missions and design.

SpaceX Dragon 2 - Spacecraft & Space Vehicles Database - USA

Dragon 2 Cargo

Explore SpaceX’s Dragon 2 Cargo spacecraft, delivering vital supplies to the International Space Station, and learn about its missions.

Progress - Spacecraft & Space Database - Soviet Union / Russia

Progress Spacecraft

Explore the Progress spacecraft, Russia’s reliable cargo lifeline to the International Space Station, and learn about its missions and design.