YES2

The advanced tethered re-entry technology that will be demonstrated by YES2 is intended as a novel payload transport system from space to Earth (e.g. from the International Space Station, ISS). Tethers have the potential to advance the image of space technology and space transportation in many applications. It has been a decade since the last tether has been deployed in space. YES2 plans to break the silence in 2007. It will not deorbit from the ISS, but from a Russian unmanned spacecraft, Foton-M3. But YES2 is more than a tether technology demonstration: it may be the first true application of a tether in space: it will deorbit a lightweight re-entry capsule, Fotino, equipped with novel heatshield technology and scientific measurement payload. And all developed for flight by students.

Homepage: http://www.yes2.info/

Status: Development