TKS (spacecraft)
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The TKS spacecraft was a Soviet spacecraft conceived in the late 1960s for resupply flights to the military Almaz space station.
A model of a TKS spacecraft. On the left is the cylindrical Functional Cargo Block with attached solar panels. In the middle is the VA spacecraft, with the conical VA return capsule for the crew and the VA's orbital maneuvering engines in the long nose section. Standing right front is the launch escape system, which would have been attached to the top of the VA's nose section during launch and jettisoned after a successful launch.
TKS VA return capsule of Kosmos 1443
Zarya module as seen from STS-88
MLM docked to the ISS
Spacecraft
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A spacecraft is a vehicle that is designed to fly in outer space and operate there. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, Earth observation, meteorology, navigation, space colonization, planetary exploration, and transportation of humans and cargo. All spacecraft except single-stage-to-orbit vehicles cannot get into space on their own, and require a launch vehicle.
More than 140 Soviet and Russian crewed Soyuz spacecraft (TMA version shown) have flown since 1967 and now support the International Space Station.
The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union
Apollo 17 Command Module America in lunar orbit
American Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft