Fuji (Spacecraft)

Fuji (ふじ) is capsule type manned spacecraft concept,proposed by Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA) Advanced mission Research center when December 2001. But, the Fuji concept was not adopted.

Background

As for Japan, manned space flight depended on USA Space Shuttle, and independent development was not taken up as short mid-term target. Moreover, the opinion that recommended RLV with wing such as Space Shuttle and HOPE was a majority, because Fuji proposal this time was before the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

However, Fuji was proposed as one of candidates of flagship mission after reorganized into JAXA from NASDA. Fuji chose a method of disposable capsule type, because considered that RLV had problems in cost and safety, and it was also possible to develop by using a mature technology in a short term of eight years.

Design

Fuji consists of two or more modules, and is combined by the usage.

Minimum System

Minimum System has ability of Reentry capsule and space flight of 24 hours. It was scheduled to develop at the early stage.

*Core Module (CM):CM is base of Fuji. Crews of three, cone is diameter of 3.7m, gross weight of 3t or less. It has thrusters for position control and rocket engine of small thrust. Manufacturing cost aims at about 800 million yen each.

tandard System

Standard System adds two modules to a Minimum System. It has ability of space flight of 1 month and flight to the moon orbit.

*Expansion Module (EM):EM is a living module. It is used by a long-term space flights.
*Propulsion Module (PM):PM has rocket engine for the orbit change and solar cell paddle.

Economy System

Economy System aims at lowering cost for space travel, based from Minimum System.

*Low-cost version Core Module:Low-cost version CM is developing for space travel, based from Normal CM. Crews of five (Passengers of four).

Other module

An additional module was planned.
*Space laboratory module:It has the heat radiation mechanism.
*Robot arm module:It has the manipulator arm.
*Simple living module:A module of inflatable type like a pumpkin. It uses by space travel.

Feature

*Ensuring of safety by disposable:Fuji ensure enough safety by adopting a common technology by disposable capsule type such as escape rockets and ablator.
*Accurate landing by entering by lift and Parafoil:Fuji does an accurate landing by an automatic control using GPS. Finally, it aims landing in the ground base by pinpoint.
*Open architecture:Fuji adopts the open architecture method because of a decrease in cost, promotion of technological development, and an expand market. Details are shown as follows:::It discloses information in the machine/electricity/thermal interface etc between system/subsystem.::It doesn't restrict use of this interface in legally/money.::It provides the test criterion of system/subsystem including safety.:In addition, Fuji's launch is not limited to H-IIA.

Advanced Concepts

A variety of use ideas after CM had been achieved were planned.

*Space tourism
*Space station
*Flight to the moon or asteroids

ee also

*H-IIA
*H-II Orbiting Plan (HOPE)
*Soyuz spacecraft

External links

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20040603193127/giken.tksc.nasda.go.jp/Group/sentan/ NASDA Advanced mission Research center (Internet Archive)] (Japanese)
* [http://www.shokabo.co.jp/author/8758/ Wallpaper of the Fuji Spacecraft ] (Japanese)

References

*Sinya Matsuura. "われらの有人宇宙船 -日本独自の宇宙輸送システム「ふじ」-", shokabo, 2003. ISBN 4-7853-8758-0