| Cost-effective, flexible transport
systems to and from the International Space Station are a key element
for the successful exploitation of the ISS. At present, the ISS
has only limited flexibility in downolad capability and is restricted
to the Shuttle (at high cost with a fixed flight schedule).
Currently, Europe is not equipped with an own capability to return
the European download mass per year, which
will cost approx. 25 K US-Dollar/kg when returned with the Shuttle.
An extra download capability at a lower price and independent
from
the Shuttle will be an attractive complement to the existing transport
scenario.
Well suited for such a cost-effective, flexible European download
service from ISS is a small capsule in conjunction with the
European ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) or the Russian Progress
as carriers. 5000 kg of cargo can be brought back to Earth, assuming
two flights per year with about 250 kg each in the period of 10 years.
In the frame of the ATV and Progress operations, both systems could
carry an IRDT capsule for return of payload, complementing the Shuttle.
This would provide Europe not only with an independent download
capability, but also considerable economic benefit and added value
for ATV and Progress.
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