Rocket models

The Russian Soyuz spacecraft may be ugly, but is the most successful and reliable craft there is, which has been around since the 1960s, when the Russians first ventured into space. Of some 1700 odd launches, only 4 failed.

It is capable of carrying up to three cosmonauts/astronauts, or huge amounts of supplies up to the International Space Station. The Europeans often use the Soyuz to send up their own astronauts, because ESA does not have its own manned-spacecraft.
http://www.russianspaceweb.com/soyuz.html

See through model of the NASA space shuttle, which is due to retire in 2010 due to its high maintanence cost and old-age. As yet, there is no replacement for ths shuttle, which will present a big problem for the Americans. NASA has tendered private consortium to design a replacement, and is willing to subsidise the design and construction.

The European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) which is capable of supplyng the ISS with goods, and taking down rubbish.
http://www.esa.int/esaMI/ATV/index.html

Tip of a Soyuz rocket.