posted 10-13-2009 12:52 PM               

Roscosmos' Pirs docking module was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) more than eight years ago. Now its successor, Poisk, the Mini Research Module-2, is undergoing preparations at the Baikonour Cosmodrome for its launch, targeted for November 12.

posted 10-30-2009 11:19 AM               

RSC Energia is proceeding with the prelaunch processing of the Mini Research Module-2 (MRM2) and its Progress launch vehicle, which is set to deliver the new Russian docking adapter to the International Space Station.

Progress M-MRM2, fueled with propellant and compressed gases, was delivered to the Spacecraft Assembly and Testing Facility for final processing operations.

posted 11-03-2009 09:47 AM               

At the Baikonur launch site, preparations continue for the launch of Progress M-MRM2, which is to deliver new Russian Mini Research Module-2 Poisk to the International Space Station.

Designers inspection of the Progress M-MRM2 special-purpose cargo space vehicle-module was completed.

Payload shroud roll on to the MRM-2 was also performed.

Credit: RSC Energia

posted 11-09-2009 03:14 AM               

Pre-launch operations for Soyuz-U/Progress M-MRM2 are continuing at the Baikonur Cosmdrome in Kazakhstan.

On Sunday morning the stack was rolled out from the integration facility 112 and delivered to launch pad 1 to begin general tests.

Credit: Roscosmos

The Mini Research Module-2 MRM2 Poisk will become the fourth component of the ISS's Russian segment. The module is intended for scientific experiments. In addition, it will provide an additional docking port and EVA airlock.

Poisk is to be launched on November 10 at 1422 GMT (1722 Moscow time).

Credit: Roscosmos

posted 11-10-2009 08:42 AM               

New Russian Module "Poisk" On Its Way to Station

The new Russian Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2), also known as Poisk, launched aboard a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan Tuesday at 9:22 a.m. EST.

Credit: Roscosmos/Vesti

Thursday at 10:44 a.m., the MRM2 will dock to the space-facing port of the Zvezda service module. Poisk is a Russian term that translates to search, seek and explore.

Credit: Roscosmos/Vesti

Poisk will provide an additional docking port for visiting Russian spacecraft as well as will serve as an extra airlock for spacewalkers wearing Russian Orlan spacesuits.

posted 11-12-2009 10:50 AM               

New Russian Module "Poisk" Docks to Station

The new Russian Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2), also known as Poisk, docked to the space-facing port of the Zvezda service module of the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday at 9:41 a.m. CST. It began its trip to the station when it was launched aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

Credit: NASA TV

Poisk is a Russian term that translates to search, seek and explore. It will provide an additional docking port for visiting Russian spacecraft and will serve as an extra airlock for spacewalkers wearing Russian Orlan spacesuits.

Poisk joins a Russian Progress resupply vehicle and two Russian Soyuz spacecraft currently docked at the station.

Credit: NASA TV

Diagram of Poisk/MRM2. Credit: NASA TV

posted 11-13-2009 07:42 AM               

Hatches opened

The hatches between the Zvezda service module and the newly-arrived Poisk Mini-Research Module-2 were opened at 6:17 a.m. CST on Friday, Nov. 13, allowing the International Space Station crew to enter the new docking port.