# uncrewed spacecraft

> spacecraft without people on board, used for robotic spaceflight

**Wikidata**: [Q1528166](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1528166)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncrewed_spacecraft)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/uncrewed-spacecraft

## Summary
An uncrewed spacecraft is a vehicle or machine designed to fly in space without people on board. It is used primarily for robotic spaceflight and is classified as a type of robot. These vehicles serve as the opposite counterpart to crewed spacecraft, operating via telerobotic control or autonomous systems rather than human pilots.

## Key Facts
- **Definition:** A spacecraft designed to operate without a human crew on board.
- **Primary Function:** Used for robotic spaceflight and uncrewed spaceflight operations.
- **Classification:** Subclass of both "spacecraft" and "uncrewed vehicle"; instance of "type of robot."
- **Relationships:** Identified as the opposite of "crewed spacecraft."
- **Operational Control:** Often operated under telerobotic control (specifically defined as "robotic spacecraft").
- **Specific Models:** Includes distinct models such as Cygnus Standard, Cygnus Enhanced, and Cygnus XL.
- **Notable Examples:**
    - **Cygnus:** A family of American uncrewed cargo spacecraft.
    - **Space Rider:** An uncrewed space vehicle developed by the ESA (European Space Agency).
    - **Agena Target Vehicle:** A modified rocket used as a target for Project Gemini missions.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the difference between a crewed and uncrewed spacecraft?
A: An uncrewed spacecraft is defined specifically as a vehicle without people on board, making it the opposite of a crewed spacecraft. While crewed missions require life support systems for astronauts, uncrewed vehicles are designed for robotic spaceflight.

### Q: How are uncrewed spacecraft controlled?
A: While specific control systems vary, these vehicles are generally considered a type of robot. They are frequently operated under telerobotic control, meaning they are commanded remotely from Earth or another location.

### Q: What are common examples of uncrewed spacecraft?
A: Prominent examples include the Cygnus family of cargo spacecraft (produced by Orbital Sciences/Northrop Grumman) and the ESA's Space Rider. Historically, the Agena Target Vehicle was an uncrewed craft used to train astronauts during Project Gemini.

## Why It Matters
Uncrewed spacecraft are essential infrastructure for modern space exploration and logistics. By eliminating the need for life support systems and safety measures required for humans, these vehicles can carry more cargo and scientific instruments relative to their size and cost. They serve as the workhorses for supply missions, such as those performed by the Cygnus family, and enable risky test flights or deep-space observations that would be too dangerous or impractical for humans. As a subclass of both spacecraft and uncrewed vehicles, they represent the intersection of robotics and aeronautics, allowing humanity to maintain a presence in orbit and gather data via telerobotic control without the logistical complexity of crewed missions.

## Notable For
- **Robotic Classification:** Distinct from other vehicles as it is explicitly classified as a "type of robot."
- **Cargo Logistics:** The Cygnus family (Standard, Enhanced, XL) highlights the vehicle's critical role in automating supply chains to space stations.
- **Historical Training:** The use of the uncrewed Agena Target Vehicle in Project Gemini demonstrates their utility as essential targets for crewed mission training.
- **ESA Innovation:** Represented by the Space Rider program, demonstrating ongoing development in reusable uncrewed spaceflight.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
An uncrewed spacecraft is a vehicle or machine designed to fly in space without passengers or pilots. In knowledge architecture, it is defined as a specific **subclass** of "spacecraft" and "uncrewed vehicle." It is synonymous with terms such as "unmanned spaceship," "USV" (Unmanned Space Vehicle), and "robotic spacecraft."

These vehicles function as a **type of robot**, often operating under **telerobotic control**. They are utilized specifically for **uncrewed spaceflight**, distinguishing them from "crewed spacecraft," which are designed to transport humans.

### Variants and Models
The category of uncrewed spacecraft includes several specific classes and models documented in aerospace data:

*   **Cygnus Family:** A family of American uncrewed cargo spacecraft produced by Orbital Sciences and later Northrop Grumman. It consists of three specific models:
    *   **Cygnus Standard:** The original model produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation.
    *   **Cygnus Enhanced:** An upgraded model produced by Orbital Sciences/Northrop Grumman.
    *   **Cygnus XL:** A larger model produced by Northrop Grumman.
*   **Space Rider:** An uncrewed space vehicle developed by the European Space Agency (ESA).
*   **Agena Target Vehicle:** A specific class of uncrewed vehicle created by modifying an Agena-D rocket. It served as a critical test and training target during NASA's Project Gemini missions.

### Identifiers and Data
*   **Wikidata Description:** "Spacecraft without people on board, used for robotic spaceflight."
*   **Microsoft Academic ID:** 109841153 (Discontinued service).
*   **KBpedia ID:** UnmannedSpacecraft.
*   **MetaSat ID:** uncrewedSpacecraft.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Uncrewed spacecraft",
  "description": "Spacecraft without people on board, used for robotic spaceflight.",
  "image": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/SpaceX_Dragon_C2+_just_prior_to_Canadarm2_release_(ISS031-E-079326)_(cropped).jpg",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncrewed_spacecraft"
  ],
  "additionalType": [
    "Spacecraft",
    "Robot",
    "Uncrewed vehicle"
  ]
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet
3. KBpedia