# Shooting Star Transport Vehicle

> American cargo spacecraft by Sierra Nevada Corporation

**Wikidata**: [Q96430677](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q96430677)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shooting-star-transport-vehicle

## Summary
The Shooting Star Transport Vehicle is an American cargo spacecraft designed and manufactured by the Sierra Nevada Corporation. It is a robotic vehicle model classified as a cargo spacecraft, specifically engineered to resupply space stations with both pressurized and unpressurized cargo.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer:** Sierra Nevada Corporation
- **Country of Origin:** United States
- **Classification:** Vehicle model; subclass of cargo spacecraft
- **Length:** 4.6 meters (approximately 15 feet)
- **Pressurized Cargo Capacity:** 3,447 kilograms
- **Unpressurized Cargo Capacity:** 1,500 kilograms
- **Power Source:** Spacecraft solar array (comprising 6 units)
- **Aliases:** Also known as the Shooting Star logistics module or Shooting Star cargo module
- **Operator:** Sierra Nevada Corporation
- **Purpose:** Robotic resupply of space stations

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the Shooting Star Transport Vehicle?
A: The vehicle functions as a robotic cargo spacecraft designed to transport supplies and equipment to space stations.

### Q: How much cargo can the Shooting Star Transport Vehicle carry?
A: It can carry a total of 4,947 kilograms of cargo, split between 3,447 kilograms of pressurized cargo and 1,500 kilograms of unpressurized cargo.

### Q: Who builds and operates the Shooting Star Transport Vehicle?
A: The vehicle is manufactured and operated by the American company Sierra Nevada Corporation.

### Q: How is the vehicle powered during its mission?
A: The Shooting Star Transport Vehicle is powered by a solar array system consisting of 6 distinct units.

## Why It Matters
The Shooting Star Transport Vehicle represents a specialized solution for orbital logistics, addressing the critical need for reliable cargo resupply to space stations. Developed by Sierra Nevada Corporation in the United States, it contributes to the commercial space infrastructure by offering significant cargo versatility.

Its design is notable for accommodating two distinct types of cargo: 3,447 kilograms of pressurized cargo (typically internal supplies like food and experiments) and 1,500 kilograms of unpressurized cargo (external equipment or experiments). This dual capability allows for a wider range of mission profiles than vehicles limited to internal storage. Furthermore, the vehicle is self-sufficient in energy, utilizing a system of six solar arrays to maintain operations while in orbit. By providing a robust platform for transporting nearly five tons of cargo, the vehicle plays a strategic role in sustaining long-term human presence and scientific activity in space.

## Notable For
- **Dual Cargo Capability:** Distinguished by its ability to transport both substantial pressurized (3,447 kg) and unpressurized (1,500 kg) payloads simultaneously.
- **Specialized Power System:** Utilizes a specific configuration of 6 solar arrays for independent power generation in space.
- **Compact Design:** Achieves a high cargo capacity relative to its 4.6-meter length.
- **Commercial Origin:** It is a product of the private sector (Sierra Nevada Corporation) rather than a government agency, highlighting the shift toward commercial space services.

## Body

### Design and Specifications
The Shooting Star Transport Vehicle is an American spacecraft model with a total length of 4.6 meters (15 feet). As a "vehicle model," it serves as a standardized platform for space transport. The physical structure is designed to support the rigors of launch and space travel while maximizing internal volume for pressurized storage and external mounting for unpressurized hardware.

### Power and Operations
The vehicle operates autonomously as a robotic spacecraft. To sustain its systems during transit to a space station, it is equipped with a dedicated power system. The craft is powered by a spacecraft solar array configured with 6 individual units, ensuring continuous energy supply for avionics, propulsion, and life-support systems (within the pressurized segment) during the mission.

### Cargo Capacity
The primary mission of the Shooting Star is the resupply of space stations. Its cargo capacity is divided into two specific categories:
*   **Pressurized Cargo:** The vehicle provides an internal environment capable of transporting 3,447 kilograms of cargo that requires a shirtsleeve environment for transfer.
*   **Unpressurized Cargo:** The exterior of the vehicle is rated to carry 1,500 kilograms of hardware that does not require pressurization, such as external scientific instruments or replacement parts for the station's hull.

### Manufacturer and Classification
The Shooting Star Transport Vehicle is a product of the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), a major aerospace and national security contractor. It is classified as a subclass of "cargo spacecraft" and is sometimes referred to in technical contexts as the "Shooting Star logistics module" or "Shooting Star cargo module." All operations and manufacturing are managed within the United States.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.sncorp.com/what-we-do/shooting-star-transport-vehicle/)