Russian Kliper is Go!

Images: Kliper de-orbit (illus.), Kliper w/chutes deployed(illus.), Kliper photo set (excellent!)
Info: Russian Space program timeline (short) (longer)

Promising "The Kliper spacecraft can fly to the Moon and farther" Anatoly Perminov, head of the Russian space agency Roskosmos, told Itar-Tass reporters the new ship will replace the "outdated" Soyuz and the U.S. Space Shuttle fleet. (SpaceDaily.com had the story, click my post title to go to it.)

The Russians have been promising the Kliper for some time now. In June they will debut a full size mock-up at the French international aerospace show at Le Bourget. They say the new ship incorporates all the positives gleaned by researchers on both sides of the Atlantic and avoids costly expenses. For instance, using parachute recovery rather than a high-stress "landing."

Sure, there are plenty of people questioning the design, but most are basing their opinion soley on the word "shuttle." This is a completely new spacecraft. The similarities between it and Discovery, for instance, end at the word "shuttle."
Sure, they look alike. But appearances can be deceiving. This craft has an autonomous flight system and capability for long distance or orbital flights.

One of the things I especially like about this program is that just about everything is open for review. Check out their main site. They pretty much lay their cards on the table and say, "read 'em and weep."
The fact is, it took them longer and they experienced more failures (maybe) but ultimately, they have built a better space "shuttle."
(SpaceShipOne is still miles ahead of both because of its "carefree re-entry" but that's another post.)
Another thing I like about the Kliper is its ability to create a bridge between communities. It took the best and brightest of four countries, utilizing their individual strengths for a common goal, to make this new Spaceship happen.
Which proves once again the emptiness of Space can bring us together.