The Becuma Spacecraft is based on the Mir core module and the original version of this spacecraft that was used in the ESA / Russian Federation manned mission to Mars in the 2030s. Becuma is a modified version of this spacecraft that in addition to being used as a general purpose Mars taxi can be used in modified versions to visit any body in the Inner Solar System from Mercury to the Asteroid belt. This particular version is the medium range Martian Taxi. The forward part is the Mir Core-based Habitat Module with a male docking port and 4 flexible high gain solar panels. Behind the Habitat module is the Re-entry Capsule that the crew use in their final week of return to Earth. Behind the Re-entry capsule is a well stocked service module with fuel, air and water for the trip.

The Habitat is covered with advertising, I do not think the Russian Space Agency will ever stop earning money from promotion of products on their spacecraft and it’s a good idea. Companies like Dunnes Stores, Pravda, Jal Travel, Virgin Atlantic, Pizza Hut, Pepsi, Nissan and Ryanair are on this model.

Also included is a picture of how the Becuma Spacecraft looks in its launch configuration strapped on to a modified Energia Rocket.

The Becuma Spacecraft would be launched in to Low Earth Orbit where it would rendezvous with a Proton third stage, also launched by an Energia booster. The Becuma Spacecraft would then blast towards Mars. On reaching the Red Planet it would go in to orbit and dock with a Lander also sent to mars via a Proton third stage. The Lander would then descend to the surface.

Returning crews would use the upper stage of the Lander to go back in to orbit and dock with Becuma. Then the Becuma spacecraft would dock with a third Proton Third Stage sent from Earth that would boost Becuma back to Earth. When nearly at Earth the crew enter the re-entry capsule, undock from the service and habitat modules. The capsule descends towards the global horizon, skipping across the Earth’s atmosphere several times, reducing its orbit so it can safely descend to the steppes of Kazakhstan for a parachute landing.

Because this particular Mission is an ESA/RSA one I decided to name this spacecraft Becuma. Becuma is the Irish Goddess of the Magic Boat. She Married High King Conn after being banished to the human world.

Image: Modules separated (front view)

Image: Modules separated (rear)

Image: Together (rear)

Image: Together (front)

Image: On the booster