Russia test-launches mini spacecraft to ship cargo from space to Earth

Russia test-launched a mini spacecraft designed for ferrying cargo from space to Earth Friday on a sea-based ballistic missile, the Defense Ministry said.

The Demonstrator spacecraft blasted off on a converted Volna ballistic missile from a nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea early Friday, the Itar-Tass news agency reported, citing Defense Ministry officials.

The craft landed on schedule in the Kura test range on the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia's Far East. However, researchers have not yet found the craft and the search is continuing, Itar-Tass quoted the officials as saying.

The craft was designed to carry cargo from low orbits to Earth. It is to be delivered to the International Space Station by Russia's Progress or Europe's ATV spacecraft and will return to Earth with cargo from the space station.

The spacecraft was made in Russia on contract for the European Space Agency and the European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co.

Source: Xinhua