Russia's next-generation manned space vehicle might be equipped with thrusters to perform a precision landing on its return to Earth. Engineers are considering a rocket-powered landing system for the successor to Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. If accepted, it would be the first time in history that a manned vehicle relied solely on rocket engines for touchdown. Previous manned missions have landed on Earth using a parachute or, in the case of space shuttles, a pair of wings.
The Russian space agency is expected to unveil development plans for a next-generation manned spacecraft on Monday. Roscosmos should name the ship's prime developer, which has competed to win government funds for the project. The proposed new spacecraft should enter into service sometime towards the end of the next decade. It will replace the venerable three-seat Soyuz capsule, which has carried Russian cosmonauts into orbit for more than four decades.
PPTS is the Russian abbreviation of "Perspektivnaya Pilotiruemaya Transportnaya Sistema" or "Prospective Piloted Transport System." The goal of the project was to develop a new-generation spacecraft to replace venerable Soyuz. By the beginning of 2009, upon abandoning plans for cooperation on the project with Europe, Russia's federal space agency, Roskosmos, ordered the industry to finalize proposals for the new manned spacecraft.