posted 06-30-2021 03:04 PM               

'Nauka' module ascent unit assembly

At the processing facility of Area 254 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the multi-purpose laboratory module (MLM) "Nauka" continues to go through the final phase of its pre-launch processing. Specialists from RSC Energia and Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, as well as from other core companies of Roscosmos, completed the sequence of operations to assemble and test the MLM Nauka, payload fairing and adapter section within the Ascent Unit (AU).

The phase of assembly and testing of the AU with the MLM Nauka is performed after completion of work to check the weight and determine the center of mass of the module. It involves installation and mating of the halves of the payload fairing (PLF) to the adapter section and the MLM, mating of electrical connectors, installation of pneumatic pushers, sensors and other PLF jettisoning equipment, sealing of joints, and electrical check tests on the AU using ground-based measuring equipment.

The payload fairing within the AU is designed to protect the module against the impact of the aerodynamic flow and aerodynamic heating during powered ascent, as well as to protect it against exposure to the elements during transportation and on the launch pad.

In accordance with the standard processing flow, upon completion of the AU activities, the MLM Nauka integrated into the AU will be installed on the transporter and sent to the filling station of Area 31 to be filled there with propellant components and compressed gases.

The multi-purpose laboratory module Nauka is a research module for the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS) developed by S.P. Korolev RSC Energia jointly with the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center in order to expand the functionality of the Russian segment of the ISS.

posted 07-08-2021 07:58 AM               

Nauka module launch scheduled for July 21

In accordance with the State Commission decision, the Proton-M carrier rocket with the new Nauka laboratory module is scheduled to launch from Site 200 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 21, 2021 at 14:58:21 UTC [10:58 a.m. EDT]. Reserve dates: July 22 and 23. Its flight to the International Space Station will take 8 days, and docking to the nadir port of the Zvezda service module is scheduled for July 29, expected at 13:26 UTC [9:26 a.m. EDT].

In this regard, undocking of the Progress MS-16 cargo vehicle with the Pirs docking module is scheduled for July 23 (subject to the Nauka launch on July 21). Four hours after undocking, the Progress is to enter the dense layers of the atmosphere and non-combustible structural elements of the ship and the module will sink in the non-navigable area of the Pacific Ocean.

Meanwhile, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, routine preparations of the Nauka module are underway for the upcoming launch. The issues identified earlier have been resolved. Currently, the ascent unit is at the fueling and neutralization station, the most important operation of the final prelaunch preparation stage.

The Nauka Laboratory Module is a research module of the Russian segment of the International Space Station, developed by RSC Energia together with Khrunichev Center (part of Roscosmos) meant to expand the functionality of the Russian segment of the International Space Station.

The Nauka module was created on the constructive and technological basis of the Zarya Functional Cargo Block employing the experience of designing a transport supply vehicle for the Salyut crewed scientific stations and modules for retrofitting the Mir orbital complex. The Nauka module will be located at the nadir port of the Zvezda Service Module and is intended for the implementation of the Russian program of scientific and applied research and experiments.

After the commissioning of the new module, the Russian segment will receive additional volumes for the workplaces and storage of cargo, places for water and oxygen regeneration equipment, improve the conditions of cosmonauts’ stay, as well as increase the safety of the entire ISS crew.

posted 07-21-2021 10:09 AM               

Proton-M launches Nauka module to station

Roscosmos' new multipurpose laboratory module (MLM), named "Nauka," the Russian word for "science," lifted off 10:58 a.m. EDT (1458 GMT or 7:58 p.m. local time) on Wednesday (July 21) atop a three-stage Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

After Nauka completes eight days in free flight to allow Russian flight controllers the time to evaluate its systems, the 43-foot-long (13-m), 23-ton module will autonomously dock to the port on the Earth-facing side of the International Space Station's Russian segment (after it is vacated by the Pirs docking module on Friday, July 23).

Docking is scheduled for 9:25 a.m. EDT (1325 GMT) on July 29.

posted 07-22-2021 06:04 PM               

Specialists have worked out test corrections of the orbit of the Nauka module

On Thursday, July 22, 2021, the Nauka Multipurpose Module Flight Control Group specialists at Moscow Mission Control Center conducted two correction maneuvers of the module that had launched to the International Space Station the previous day.

The first maneuver took place at 15:07 UTC with the module engines burn for 17.23 seconds giving an impulse of 1 m/sec. The second burn for 250.04 seconds took place at 17:19 UTC with an impulse of 14.59 m/sec.

Orbit parameters after two burns:

• Orbital period: 90.17 minutes;
  
• Orbit inclination: 51.64 degrees;
  
• Perigee altitude: 230.43 km;
  
• Apogee altitude: 364.86 km;

Thus, the telemetry confirmed the module propulsion unit operability. Additional burns for further orbit correction are scheduled for July 23. The Pirs module is to undock from the ISS and deorbit on Saturday, July 24.

posted 07-24-2021 03:33 PM               

Mission Control Center conducted orbit corrections of the Nauka module

On Friday, July 23, the Nauka module flight control group specialists at the Mission Control Center conducted two correctional maneuvers of the module orbit that launched to the International Space Station on Wednesday.

On Saturday, July 24, the Nauka Multipurpose Module flight control group specialists at TsNIIMash Mission Control Center (part of Roscosmos) conducted two more corrective maneuvers of the module.

The next burns for further orbit formation are scheduled for July 27.

posted 07-28-2021 09:50 AM               

Final Nauka module orbit correction conducted before docking with ISS

On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, specialists of the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module flight control group at the TsNIIMash Mission Control Center (part of Roscosmos) performed the final corrective maneuver of the module which had launched nominally from the Baikonur Cosmodrome a week ago.

The engines were fired at 13:43:07 UTC. According to telemetry information, the propulsion system of the module worked normally. No new orbit corrections are planned before the Nauka module docking with the Russian segment of the International Space Station, which is scheduled at 13:26 UTC (9:26 a.m. EDT) on July 29, 2021.

Nauka is a multipurpose laboratory module for the Russian segment of the International Space Station. It was created by the cooperation of enterprises in order to implement the program of scientific experiments and expand the functionality of the Russian segment of the ISS. After its commissioning, the Russian segment will receive additional room for arranging workplaces and storing cargo, placing the water and oxygen regeneration equipment.

posted 07-29-2021 08:59 AM               

Russia's Nauka multi-purpose lab module docks to space station

The International Space Station has gained a new room after a 13-year wait for its launch and a week-long journey in Earth orbit.

Russia's Multi-purpose Laboratory Module (MLM), named "Nauka" ("Science" in Russian), docked to the space station on Thursday (July 29), eight days after its more-than-decade-long delayed launch. The 22-ton (20-tonne) MLM connected with the orbiting complex at 9:29 a.m. EDT (1329 GMT), using an open port that was recently vacated by the Pirs docking compartment on the Earth-facing side of the Zvezda service module.

posted 07-30-2021 10:30 AM               

Energia Designer General on MLM Nauka docking

Vladimir Solovyov, Twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR, RSC Energia Designer General (part of Roscosmos), Flight Director of the Russian Segment of the International Space Station:

"On July 29, the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module was docked with the International Space Station. At all stages of the module's flight, its rendezvous system worked reliably and stably. During the final rendezvous, slight fluctuations were noticed, which were eliminated by the docking system. This resulted in smooth docking and touchdown at rated speeds, which in turn resulted in mechanical coupling.

"The docking mechanics worked reliably, without any comments and led to the closure of both docking mechanisms of the station and the module. Due to a short-term software failure, a direct command was mistakenly implemented to turn on the module's engines for withdrawal, which led to some modification of the orientation of the complex as a whole.

"This situation was quickly countered by the propulsion system of the Zvezda module. At the moment, the station is in its normal orientation, all the ISS and the multipurpose laboratory module systems are operating normally. A reliable internal power and command interface was created, as well as a power supply interface that connected the module to the station.

"The crew is now busy balancing the pressure in the Nauka module. This is a rather lengthy procedure, because the total volume of the module is about 70 cubic meters. In the afternoon, the crew will open the hatches, enter the module, turn on the necessary means of purifying the atmosphere and begin normal regular work. The Chief Operating Control Group operates normally and manages the entire complex, including the Nauka module."