International space station, ISS (English International Space Station, ISS) is a manned multi-purpose space research complex.
The following are involved in the creation of the ISS: Russia (Federal Space Agency, Roskosmos); United States (US National Aerospace Agency, NASA); Japan (Japan Aerospace Agency space research, JAXA), 18 European countries (European Space Agency, ESA); Canada (Canadian Space Agency, CSA), Brazil (Brazilian Space Agency, AEB).
Start of construction - 1998.
The first module is "Dawn".
Completion of construction (presumably) - 2012.
The end date of the ISS is (presumably) 2020.
Orbit height - 350-460 kilometers from the Earth.
Orbital inclination - 51.6 degrees.
The ISS makes 16 revolutions per day.
The weight of the station (at the time of completion of construction) is 400 tons (for 2009 - 300 tons).
Inner space(at the time of completion of construction) - 1.2 thousand cubic meters.
Length (along the main axis along which the main modules lined up) is 44.5 meters.
Height - almost 27.5 meters.
Width (according to solar panels) - more than 73 meters.
The first space tourists visited the ISS (sent by Roscosmos together with Space Adventures).
In 2007, the flight of the first Malaysian cosmonaut, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, was organized.
The cost of building the ISS by 2009 amounted to $100 billion.
Flight control:
the Russian segment is carried out from TsUP-M (TsUP-Moscow, the city of Korolev, Russia);
the American segment - from MCC-X (MCC-Houston, the city of Houston, USA).
The work of the laboratory modules included in the ISS is controlled by:
European "Columbus" - Control Center of the European Space Agency (Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany);
Japanese "Kibo" - MCC of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Tsukuba, Japan).
The flight of the European automatic cargo vehicle ATV "Jules Verne" intended for supplying the ISS, together with MCC-M and MCC-X, was controlled by the Center of the European Space Agency (Toulouse, France).
The technical coordination of work on the Russian Segment of the ISS and its integration with the American Segment is carried out by the Council of Chief Designers under the leadership of the President, General Designer of RSC Energia named after V.I. S.P. Korolev, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yu.P. Semenov.
The Interstate Commission for Flight Support and Operation of Manned Orbital Systems is in charge of preparing and conducting the launch of elements of the ISS Russian Segment.
According to the existing international agreement, each project participant owns its segments on the ISS.
The leading organization for the creation of the Russian segment and its integration with the American segment is RSC Energia im. S.P. Queen, and in the American segment - the company "Boeing" ("Boeing").
About 200 organizations take part in the manufacture of elements of the Russian segment, including: Russian Academy sciences; plant of experimental engineering RSC "Energia" them. S.P. Queen; rocket and space plant GKNPTs them. M.V. Khrunichev; GNP RCC "TsSKB-Progress"; Design Bureau of General Engineering; RNII of space instrumentation; Research Institute of Precision Instruments; RGNI TsPK im. Yu.A. Gagarin.
Russian segment: Zvezda service module; functional cargo block "Zarya"; docking compartment "Pirce".
American segment: node module "Unity" ("Unity"); gateway module "Quest" ("Quest"); laboratory module "Destiny" ("Destiny").
Canada has created a manipulator for the ISS on the LAB module - a 17.6-meter robot arm "Canadarm" ("Canadarm").
Italy supplies the ISS with the so-called Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLM). By 2009, three of them were made: "Leonardo", "Raffaello", "Donatello" ("Leonardo", "Raffaello", "Donatello"). These are large cylinders (6.4 x 4.6 meters) with a docking station. The empty logistics module weighs 4.5 tons and can be loaded with up to 10 tons of experimental equipment and consumables.
The delivery of people to the station is provided by Russian Soyuz and American shuttles (reusable shuttles); cargo is delivered by Russian "Progress" and American shuttles.
Japan created its first scientific orbital laboratory, which became the largest module of the ISS - "Kibo" (translated from Japanese as "Hope", the international abbreviation is JEM, Japanese Experiment Module).
By order of the European Space Agency, a consortium of European aerospace firms made the Columbus research module. It is intended for conducting physical, material science, biomedical and other experiments in the absence of gravity. By order of ESA, the Harmony module was made, which connects the Kibo and Columbus modules, as well as provides their power supply and data exchange.
Additional modules and devices were also made on the ISS: a module for the root segment and gyrodins at node-1 (Node 1); power module (section SB AS) on Z1; mobile service system; device for moving equipment and crew; device "B" of the equipment and crew movement system; trusses S0, S1, P1, P3/P4, P5, S3/S4, S5, S6.
All ISS laboratory modules have standardized racks for mounting units with experimental equipment. Over time, the ISS will acquire new nodes and modules: the Russian segment should be replenished with a scientific and energy platform, the Enterprise multipurpose research module (Enterprise) and the second functional cargo block (FGB-2). On the Node 3 module, the "Cupola" assembly built in Italy will be mounted. This is a dome with a number of very large windows through which the inhabitants of the station, like in a theater, will be able to observe the arrival of ships and control the work of their colleagues in outer space.
History of the creation of the ISS
Work on the International Space Station began in 1993.
Russia offered the US to join forces in the implementation of manned programs. By that time, Russia had a 25-year history of operation of the Salyut and Mir orbital stations, as well as invaluable experience in conducting long-term flights, research, and a developed space infrastructure. But by 1991, the country was in a difficult economic situation. At the same time, the creators of the Freedom orbital station (USA) also experienced financial difficulties.
On March 15, 1993, the general director of the Roscosmos agency, Yu.N. Koptev and General Designer of NPO Energia Yu.P. Semenov approached the head of NASA, Goldin, with a proposal to create the International Space Station.
On September 2, 1993, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Viktor Chernomyrdin and US Vice President Al Gore signed the "Joint Statement on Cooperation in Space", which provided for the creation of a joint station. On November 1, 1993, the "Detailed work plan for the International Space Station" was signed, and in June 1994, a contract between NASA and Roscosmos "On supplies and services for the Mir station and the International Space Station" was signed.
The initial stage of construction provides for the creation of a functionally complete plant structure from a limited number of modules. The first to be launched into orbit by the Proton-K launch vehicle was the Zarya functional cargo block (1998), made in Russia. The shuttle was delivered by the second ship and docked with the functional cargo block the American docking module Node-1 - "Unity" (December 1998). The third was the Russian service module Zvezda (2000), which provides station control, life support for the crew, station orientation and orbit correction. The fourth is the American laboratory module "Destiny" (2001).
The first prime crew of the ISS, who arrived at the station on November 2, 2000 on the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft: William Shepherd (USA), ISS commander, flight engineer-2 of the Soyuz-TM-31 spacecraft; Sergey Krikalev (Russia), Soyuz-TM-31 flight engineer; Yuri Gidzenko (Russia), ISS pilot, Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft commander.
The duration of the flight of the ISS-1 crew was about four months. Its return to Earth was carried out by the American Space Shuttle, which delivered the crew of the second main expedition to the ISS. The Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft remained a part of the ISS for half a year and served as a rescue ship for the crew working on board.
In 2001, the P6 power module was installed on the Z1 root segment, the Destiny laboratory module, the Quest airlock, the Pirs docking compartment, two cargo telescopic booms, and a remote manipulator were delivered into orbit. In 2002, the station was replenished with three truss structures (S0, S1, P6), two of which are equipped with transport devices for moving the remote manipulator and astronauts while working in outer space.
The construction of the ISS was suspended due to the crash of the American spacecraft Columbia on February 1, 2003, and in 2006 construction work was resumed.
In 2001 and twice in 2007, computers failed in the Russian and American segments. In 2006, smoke occurred in the Russian segment of the station. In the fall of 2007, the station crew carried out repair work on the solar battery.
New sections of solar panels were delivered to the station. At the end of 2007, the ISS was replenished with two pressurized modules. In October, the Discovery shuttle STS-120 brought the Harmony Node-2 connection module into orbit, which became the main berth for the shuttles.
The European laboratory module "Columbus" was launched into orbit on the Atlantis STS-122 spacecraft and, with the help of the manipulator of this spacecraft, was put into its regular place (February 2008). Then the Japanese Kibo module was introduced into the ISS (June 2008), its first element was delivered to the ISS by the Endeavor shuttle STS-123 (March 2008).
Prospects for the ISS
According to some pessimistic experts, the ISS is a waste of time and money. They believe that the station has not yet been built, but is already outdated.
However, in the implementation of a long-term program of space flights to the Moon or Mars, mankind cannot do without the ISS.
Since 2009, the permanent crew of the ISS will be increased to 9 people, and the number of experiments will increase. Russia has planned to conduct 331 experiments on the ISS in the coming years. The European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners have already built a new transport ship - the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which will be launched into the base orbit (300 kilometers high) by the Ariane-5 ES ATV rocket, from where the ATV will go into orbit due to its engines ISS (400 kilometers above the Earth). The payload of this automatic ship with a length of 10.3 meters and a diameter of 4.5 meters is 7.5 tons. This will include experimental equipment, food, air and water for the ISS crew. The first of the ATV series (September 2008) was named "Jules Verne". After docking with the ISS in automatic mode, the ATV can work in its composition for six months, after which the ship is loaded with garbage and in a controlled mode is flooded into pacific ocean. It is planned to launch ATVs once a year, and at least 7 of them will be built in total. The Japanese H-II "Transfer Vehicle" (HTV) automatic truck, launched into orbit by the Japanese H-IIB launch vehicle, which is still being developed, will join the ISS program. . The total weight of the HTV will be 16.5 tons, of which 6 tons is the payload for the station. It will be able to stay docked to the ISS for up to one month.
Obsolete shuttles will be decommissioned in 2010, and the new generation will appear no earlier than 2014-2015.
By 2010, the Russian manned Soyuz will be modernized: first of all, they will replace the electronic control and communication systems, which will increase the ship's payload by reducing the weight of electronic equipment. The updated "Union" will be able to be part of the station for almost a year. The Russian side will build the Clipper spacecraft (according to the plan, the first test manned flight into orbit is in 2014, commissioning is in 2016). This six-seater reusable winged shuttle is conceived in two versions: with an aggregate-household compartment (ABO) or an engine compartment (DO). The Clipper, which has risen into space to a relatively low orbit, will be followed by the interorbital tug Parom. Ferry is a new development designed to replace the cargo Progresses over time. This tug should pull from the low reference orbit to the ISS orbit the so-called "containers", cargo "barrels" with a minimum of equipment (4-13 tons of cargo), launched into space with the help of Soyuz or Proton. The "Parom" has two docking stations: one for the container, the second - for mooring to the ISS. After the container is put into orbit, the ferry, due to its propulsion system, descends to it, docks with it and lifts it to the ISS. And after unloading the container, "Parom" lowers it into a lower orbit, where it undocks and slows down on its own to burn up in the atmosphere. The tug will have to wait for a new container to deliver it to the ISS.
RSC Energia official website: http://www.energia.ru/rus/iss/iss.html
The official website of the Boeing Corporation (Boeing): http://www.boeing.com
Mission Control Center official website: http://www.mcc.rsa.ru
Official website of the US National Aerospace Agency (NASA): http://www.nasa.gov
Official website of the European Space Agency (ESA): http://www.esa.int/esaCP/index.html
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) official website: http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html
Official website of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA): http://www.space.gc.ca/index.html
Official website of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB):
The International Space Station ISS is the embodiment of the most grandiose and progressive technological achievement on a cosmic scale on our planet. This is a huge space research laboratory for studying, conducting experiments, observing both the surface of our planet Earth, and for astronomical observations of deep space without the influence of the earth's atmosphere. At the same time, it is both a home for cosmonauts and astronauts working on it, where they live and work, and a port for mooring space cargo and transport ships. Raising his head and looking up at the sky, a person saw the endless expanses of space and always dreamed, if not to conquer, then to learn as much as possible about him and comprehend all his secrets. The flight of the first cosmonaut into the earth's orbit and the launch of satellites gave a powerful impetus to the development of astronautics and further space flights. But just a human flight into near space is no longer enough. Eyes are directed further, to other planets, and in order to achieve this, much more needs to be explored, learned and understood. And the most important thing for long-term human space flights is the need to establish the nature and consequences of the long-term effect on health of long-term weightlessness during flights, the possibility of life support for a long stay on spacecraft and the elimination of all negative factors affecting the health and life of people, both in the near and far outer space, detection of dangerous collisions of spacecraft with other space objects and provision of security measures.
To this end, they began to build at first simply long-term manned orbital stations of the Salyut series, then a more advanced one, with a complex MIR modular architecture. Such stations could be constantly in Earth's orbit and receive cosmonauts and astronauts delivered by spacecraft. But, having achieved certain results in the study of space, thanks to space stations, time inexorably demanded further, more and more improved methods of studying space and the possibility of human life during flights in it. The construction of a new space station required huge, even greater capital investments than previous ones, and it was already economically difficult for one country to move space science and technology. It should be noted that the former USSR (now the Russian Federation) and the United States of America held the leading positions in space technology achievements at the level of orbital stations. Despite the contradictions in political views, these two powers understood the need for cooperation in space matters, and in particular, in the construction of a new orbital station, especially since the previous experience of joint cooperation during the flights of American astronauts to the Russian space station "Mir" gave its tangible results. positive results. Therefore, since 1993 representatives Russian Federation and the United States are negotiating the joint design, construction and operation of the new International Space Station. The planned "Detailed work plan for the ISS" was signed.
In 1995 in Houston approved the main preliminary design stations. The adopted project of the modular architecture of the orbital station makes it possible to carry out its phased construction in space, attaching more and more sections of modules to the main already operating module, making its construction more accessible, easy and flexible, makes it possible to change the architecture in connection with the emerging need and capabilities of countries -participants.
The basic configuration of the station was approved and signed in 1996. It consisted of two main segments: Russian and American. Also participating, hosting their scientific space equipment and conducting research are countries such as Japan, Canada and the countries of the European Space Union.
01/28/1998 in Washington, a final agreement was signed on the start of construction of a new long-term, modular architecture International Space Station, and on November 2 of the same year, the first multifunctional module of the ISS was launched into orbit by a Russian rocket carrier. Dawn».
(FGB- functional cargo block) - launched into orbit by the Proton-K rocket on 11/02/1998. From the moment the Zarya module was launched into a near-Earth orbit, the direct construction of the ISS began, i.e. assembly of the entire station begins. At the very beginning of construction, this module was needed as a base module for supplying electricity, maintaining the temperature regime, for establishing communications and attitude control in orbit, and as a docking module for other modules and spacecraft. It is fundamental for further construction. Currently, Zarya is used mainly as a warehouse, and its engines correct the altitude of the station's orbit.
The ISS Zarya module consists of two main compartments: a large instrument-cargo compartment and a sealed adapter, separated by a partition with a hatch 0.8 m in diameter. for a pass. One part is airtight and contains an instrument-cargo compartment with a volume of 64.5 cubic meters, which, in turn, is divided into an instrument room with blocks of on-board systems and a living area for work. These zones are separated by an interior partition. The sealed adapter compartment is equipped with on-board systems for mechanical docking with other modules.
There are three docking gateways on the block: active and passive at the ends and one on the side, for connection with other modules. There are also antennas for communication, fuel tanks, solar panels that generate energy, and ground orientation devices. It has 24 large engines, 12 small ones, and 2 engines for maneuvering and maintaining the desired height. This module can independently perform unmanned flights in space.
Module ISS "Unity" (NODE 1 - connecting)
The Unity module is the first American connecting module, which was launched into orbit on December 4, 1998 by the Space Shuttle Endeavor and docked with Zarya on December 1, 1998. This module has 6 docking locks for further connection of the ISS modules and mooring of spacecraft. It is a corridor between the other modules and their living and working premises and a place for communications: gas and water pipelines, various communication systems, electrical cables, data transmission and other life-supporting communications.
ISS Zvezda Module (SM - service module)
The Zvezda module is a Russian module launched into orbit by the Proton spacecraft on 07/12/2000 and docked on 07/26/2000 to Zarya. Thanks to this module, already in July 2000, the ISS was able to receive the first space crew consisting of Sergei Krikalov, Yuri Gidzenko and the American William Shepard on board.
The block itself consists of 4 compartments: a hermetic transitional, a hermetic working, a hermetic intermediate chamber and a non-hermetic aggregate. The transition compartment with four windows serves as a corridor for the astronauts to pass from different modules and compartments and to exit the station into outer space thanks to the airlock installed here with a pressure relief valve. Docking units are attached to the outer part of the compartment: this is one axial and two lateral. The Zvezda axial node is connected to the Zarya, and the upper and lower axial nodes are connected to other modules. Also, brackets and handrails, new sets of antennas of the Kurs-NA system, docking targets, TV cameras, a refueling unit and other units are installed on the outer surface of the compartment.
The working compartment with a total length of 7.7 m, has 8 windows and consists of two cylinders different diameters equipped with carefully designed means of ensuring work and life. The cylinder of larger diameter contains a living area with a volume of 35.1 cubic meters. meters. There are two cabins, a sanitary compartment, a kitchen with a refrigerator and a table for fixing objects, medical equipment and exercise equipment.
A cylinder of smaller diameter contains work zone, which houses instruments, equipment and the main station control post. There are also control systems, emergency and warning manual control panels.
Intermediate chamber 7.0 cu. meters with two windows serves as a transition between the service block and spacecraft that dock to the stern. The docking port ensures the docking of the Russian spacecraft Soyuz TM, Soyuz TMA, Progress M, Progress M2, as well as the European automatic spacecraft ATV.
In the aggregate compartment of the "Zvezda" at the stern there are two corrective engines, and on the side there are four blocks of orientation engines. With outer side fixed sensors and antennas. As you can see, the Zvezda module has taken over some of the functions of the Zarya block.
Module ISS "Destiny" in the translation "Destiny" (LAB - laboratory)
Destiny Module - On 02/08/2001 the Space Shuttle Atlantis launched into orbit, and on 02/10/2002 the American science module Destiny was docked to the ISS to the forward docking port of the Unity module. Astronaut Marsha Ivin took out the module from the Atlantis spacecraft with the help of a 15-meter "arm", although the gaps between the ship and the module were only five centimeters. It was the space station's first laboratory and, at one time, its think tank and largest habitable unit. The module was manufactured by the well-known American company Boeing. It consists of three connected cylinders. The ends of the module are made in the form of truncated cones with airtight hatches that serve as entrances for the astronauts. The module itself is intended mainly for scientific research in medicine, materials science, biotechnology, physics, astronomy and many other fields of science. For this, there are 23 units equipped with instruments. They are located six pieces on the sides, six on the ceiling and five blocks on the floor. The supports have routes for pipelines and cables, they connect different racks. The module also has such systems for life support: power supply, a system of sensors for monitoring humidity, temperature and air quality. Thanks to this module and the equipment located in it, it became possible to conduct unique research in space on board the ISS in various fields of science.
ISS module "Quest" (А/L - universal lock chamber)
The Quest module was launched into orbit by the Atlantis shuttle on July 12, 2001 and docked to the Unity module on July 15, 2001 at the right docking port using the Canadarm 2 manipulator. This unit is primarily designed to provide spacewalks in both Russian-made Orland spacesuits with an oxygen pressure of 0.4 atm, and in American EMU spacesuits with a pressure of 0.3 atm. The fact is that before that, representatives of space crews could use Russian spacesuits only to exit the Zarya block and American ones when leaving through the Shuttle. Reduced pressure in the spacesuits is used to make the suits more elastic, which creates significant comfort when moving.
The ISS Quest module consists of two rooms. These are the crew quarters and the equipment room. Crew accommodation with a pressurized volume of 4.25 cubic meters. designed for spacewalks with hatches provided with convenient handrails, lighting, and connectors for supplying oxygen, water, depressurization devices before exiting, etc.
The equipment room is much larger in volume and its size is 29.75 cubic meters. m. It is intended for the necessary equipment for putting on and taking off space suits, their storage and denitrogenation of the blood of station employees going into space.
ISS module Pirs (SO1 - docking compartment)
The Pirs module was launched into orbit on September 15, 2001 and docked with the Zarya module on September 17, 2001. Pirs was launched into space for docking with the ISS as an integral part of the Progress M-C01 specialized truck. Basically, Pirs plays the role of an airlock for two people to go into outer space in Russian spacesuits of the Orlan-M type. The second purpose of Pirs is additional mooring places for spacecraft of such types as Soyuz TM and Progress M trucks. The third purpose of the Pirs is to refuel the tanks of the Russian segments of the ISS with fuel, oxidizer and other fuel components. The dimensions of this module are relatively small: the length with docking units is 4.91 m, the diameter is 2.55 m, and the volume of the sealed compartment is 13 cubic meters. m. In the center, on opposite sides of the sealed hull with two circular frames, there are 2 identical hatches with a diameter of 1.0 m with small portholes. This makes it possible to go into space with different parties depending on the need. Convenient handrails are provided inside and outside the hatches. Inside there is also equipment, lock control panels, communications, power supply, pipeline routes for fuel transit. Communication antennas, antenna protection screens, and a fuel transfer unit are installed outside.
There are two docking nodes located along the axis: active and passive. The Pirs active node is docked with the Zarya module, and the passive one on the opposite side is used for mooring spaceships.
MKS module "Harmony", "Harmony" (Node 2 - connecting)
Module "Harmony" - launched into orbit on October 23, 2007 by the Discovery shuttle from Cape Canavery launch pad 39 and docked on October 26, 2007 with the ISS. "Harmony" was made in Italy by order of NASA. The docking of the module with the ISS itself was phased: first, astronauts of the 16th crew, Tanya and Wilson, temporarily docked the module with the Unity ISS module on the left using the Canadarm-2 Canadian manipulator, and after the shuttle departed and the RMA-2 adapter was reinstalled, the module was again was detached from Unity and moved to permanent place its deployment to the Destiny's forward docking port. The final installation of "Harmony" was completed on 11/14/2007.
The module has basic dimensions: length 7.3 m, diameter 4.4 m, its sealed volume is 75 cubic meters. m. The most important feature of the module is 6 docking stations for further connections with other modules and the construction of the ISS. The nodes are located along the axis of the front and rear, nadir below, anti-aircraft above and lateral left and right. It should be noted that due to the additional pressurized volume created in the module, three additional berths for the crew, equipped with all life support systems, were created.
The main purpose of the Harmony module is the role of a connecting node for further expansion of the International Space Station and, in particular, for creating attachment points and attaching to it the European Columbus and Japanese Kibo space laboratories.
ISS module "Columbus", "Columbus" (COL)
The Columbus module is the first European module launched into orbit by the Atlantis shuttle on 02/07/2008. and installed on the right connecting node of the Harmony module 12.02008. Columbus was built by order of the European Space Agency in Italy, whose space agency has great experience for the construction of pressurized modules for the space station.
"Columbus" is a cylinder with a length of 6.9 m and a diameter of 4.5 m, where a laboratory with a volume of 80 cubic meters is located. meters with 10 jobs. Each workplace- this is a rack with cells where instruments and equipment for certain studies are placed. The racks are equipped with a separate power supply each, computers with the necessary software, communication, air-conditioning system and all the devices necessary for research. A group of studies and experiments in a certain direction are conducted at each workplace. For example, the Biolab workstation is equipped to conduct experiments in space biotechnology, cell biology, developmental biology, skeletal disease, neuroscience, and human preparation for long-term interplanetary life-support missions. There is an installation for diagnosing protein crystallization and others. In addition to 10 racks with workplaces in the pressurized compartment, there are four more places equipped for scientific space research on the outer open side of the module in space under vacuum conditions. This allows you to conduct experiments on the state of bacteria in a very extreme conditions to understand the possibility of the appearance of life on other planets, to lead astronomical observations. Thanks to the SOLAR solar instrument complex, solar activity and the degree of impact of the Sun on our Earth are monitored, solar radiation. The Diarad radiometer, along with other space radiometers, measures solar activity. The SOLSPEC spectrometer is used to study solar spectrum and its light through the earth's atmosphere. The uniqueness of the studies lies in the fact that they can be carried out simultaneously on the ISS and on Earth, immediately comparing the results. Columbus enables videoconferencing and high-speed data exchange. The module is monitored and coordinated by the European Space Agency from the Center located in the city of Oberpfaffenhofen, located 60 km from Munich.
ISS module "Kibo" Japanese, translated as "Hope" (JEM-Japanese Experiment Module)
Module "Kibo" - launched into orbit by the shuttle "Endeavour", at first with only one of its parts on March 11, 2008 and docked with the ISS on March 14, 2008. Despite the fact that Japan has its own spaceport at Tanegashima, due to the lack of delivery ships, Kibo was launched in parts from the American spaceport at Cape Canaveral. Overall, Kibo is the largest laboratory module on the ISS to date. It is developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and consists of four main parts: the PM Science Laboratory, the Experimental Cargo Module (it, in turn, has an ELM-PS pressurized part and an ELM-ES non-pressurized part), a JEMRMS remote manipulator and an EF external non-pressurized platform.
"Sealed Compartment" or Science Laboratory of the "Kibo" module JEM PM- delivered and docked on July 2, 2008 by the Discovery shuttle - this is one of the compartments of the Kibo module, in the form of a sealed cylindrical structure 11.2 m * 4.4 m in size with 10 universal racks adapted for scientific instruments . Five racks belong to America in payment for delivery, but any astronauts or cosmonauts can conduct scientific experiments at the request of any countries. Climate parameters: temperature and humidity, air composition and pressure correspond to terrestrial conditions, which makes it possible to work comfortably in ordinary, familiar clothes and conduct experiments without special conditions. Here, in a sealed compartment of the scientific laboratory, not only experiments are carried out, but also control over the entire laboratory complex, especially over the devices of the External Experimental Platform, is established.
"Experimental Cargo Bay" ELM- one of the compartments of the Kibo module has a hermetic part ELM-PS and a non-hermetic part ELM-ES. Its hermetic part is docked with the upper hatch of the PM laboratory module and has the shape of a 4.2 m cylinder with a diameter of 4.4 m. The inhabitants of the station freely pass here from the laboratory, since the climate conditions are the same here. The sealed part is mainly used as an addition to the sealed laboratory and is designed to store equipment, tools, and experimental results. There are 8 universal racks that can be used for experiments if necessary. Initially, on March 14, 2008, the ELM-PS was docked with the Harmony module, and on June 6, 2008, the astronauts of expedition No. 17 reinstalled it to a permanent place on the pressurized compartment of the laboratory.
The non-pressurized part is the outer section of the cargo module and at the same time a component of the "External Experimental Platform", as it is attached to its end. Its dimensions are: length 4.2 m, width 4.9 m and height 2.2 m. The purpose of this site is to store equipment, experimental results, samples and their transportation. This part, with the results of experiments and used equipment, can be undocked, if necessary, from the unpressurized Kibo platform and delivered to Earth.
"External Experimental Platform» JEM EF or, as it is also called, "Terrace" - delivered to the ISS on March 12, 2009. and is located immediately behind the laboratory module, representing the non-pressurized part of the "Kibo", with the dimensions of the site: 5.6 m long, 5.0 m wide and 4.0 m high. Various numerous experiments are carried out here directly in the conditions of open space in different areas of science to study the external influences of space. The platform is located just behind the pressurized laboratory compartment and is connected to it by an airtight hatch. The manipulator located at the end of the laboratory module can install the necessary equipment for experiments and remove unnecessary equipment from the experimental platform. The platform has 10 experimental compartments, it is well lit and there are video cameras that record everything that happens.
remote manipulator(JEM RMS) - manipulator or mechanical arm, which is mounted in the bow of the pressurized compartment of the scientific laboratory and serves to move cargo between the experimental cargo compartment and the external non-pressurized platform. In general, the arm consists of two parts, a large ten-meter for heavy loads and a removable small length of 2.2 meters for more precise work. Both types of hands have 6 rotating joints to perform various movements. The main arm was delivered in June 2008 and the second in July 2009.
The entire operation of this Japanese Kibo module is supervised by the Control Center in the city of Tsukuba north of Tokyo. Scientific experiments and research carried out in the laboratory "Kibo" significantly expand the scope scientific activity in space. The modular principle of building the laboratory itself and a large number of universal racks gives wide opportunities building a variety of studies.
Racks for conducting bioexperiments are equipped with ovens with the establishment of the necessary temperature conditions, which makes it possible to do experiments on growing various crystals, including biological ones. There are also incubators, aquariums and sterile rooms for animals, fish, amphibians and cultivation of various plant cells and organisms. The impact on them of various levels of radiation is being studied. The laboratory is equipped with dosimeters and other state-of-the-art instruments.
ISS Poisk module (MIM2 small research module)
The Poisk module is a Russian module launched into orbit from the Baikonur cosmodrome by the Soyuz-U rocket carrier, delivered by a specially modernized cargo ship the Progress M-MIM2 module on November 10, 2009 and was docked to the upper anti-aircraft docking node of the Zvezda module two days later, on November 12, 2009, the docking was carried out only by means of the Russian manipulator, abandoning Kanadarm2, since financial issues with the Americans were not resolved. The Poisk was developed and built in Russia by RSC Energia on the basis of the previous Pirs module, with all the shortcomings and significant improvements corrected. "Search" has a cylindrical shape with dimensions: 4.04m long and 2.5m in diameter. It has two docking nodes, active and passive, located along the longitudinal axis, and on the left and right sides there are two hatches with small portholes and handrails for spacewalks. In general, it is almost like Pierce, but more advanced. In its space there are two workplaces for conducting scientific tests, there are mechanical adapters with which the necessary equipment is installed. Inside the containment compartment, a volume of 0.2 cubic meters is allocated. m. for devices, and on the outside of the module a universal workplace has been created.
In general, this multifunctional module is intended: for additional docking sites with the Soyuz and Progress spacecraft, for providing additional spacewalks, for placing scientific equipment and conducting scientific tests inside and outside the module, for refueling from transport ships and, ultimately, this module should take over the functions of the Zvezda service module.
Module ISS "Transquility" or "Calm" (NODE3)
The Transquility module, an American connecting residential module, was launched into orbit on February 8, 2010 from the launch pad LC-39 (Kennedy Space Center) by the Endeavor shuttle and docked with the ISS on August 10, 2010 to the Unity module. "Tranquility" commissioned by NASA was made in Italy. The module was named after the Sea of Tranquility on the Moon, where the first astronaut landed from Apollo 11. With the advent of this module on the ISS, life has really become calmer and much more comfortable. Firstly, an internal useful volume of 74 cubic meters was added, the length of the module is 6.7 m with a diameter of 4.4 m. The dimensions of the module made it possible to create the most modern life support system in it, from the toilet to the provision and control of the most high performance inhaled air. There are 16 racks with various equipment for air circulation systems, purification, removal of contaminants from it, systems for processing liquid waste into water, and other systems to create a comfortable environmental environment for life on the ISS. Everything is provided on the module to the smallest detail, simulators, various holders for objects, all conditions for work, training and rest are installed. In addition to the high life support system, the design provides for 6 docking nodes: two axial and 4 lateral for docking with spacecraft and improving the ability to reinstall modules in various combinations. The Dome module is attached to one of the Tranquility docking stations for a wide panoramic view.
ISS module "Dome" (cupola)
The Dome module was delivered to the ISS together with the Tranquility module and, as mentioned above, docked with its lower connecting node. This is the smallest module of the ISS with a height of 1.5 m and a diameter of 2 m. But there are 7 windows that allow you to monitor both work on the ISS and the Earth. Here, workplaces are equipped for monitoring and controlling the Kanadarm-2 manipulator, as well as control systems for station modes. Portholes made of 10 cm quartz glass are located in the form of a dome: in the center there is a large round one with a diameter of 80 cm and around it there are 6 trapezoidal ones. This place is also a favorite vacation spot.
ISS Rassvet Module (MIM 1)
The Rassvet module - on May 14, 2010 was launched into orbit and delivered by the American shuttle Atlantis and docked with the ISS with the Zari nadir docking port on May 18, 2011. This is the first Russian module that was delivered to the ISS not by a Russian spacecraft, but by an American one. The docking of the module was carried out by American astronauts Garret Reisman and Piers Sellers for three hours. The module itself, like the previous modules of the Russian segment of the ISS, was manufactured in Russia by the Energia Rocket and Space Corporation. The module is very similar to the previous Russian modules, but with significant improvements. It has five workplaces: a glove box, low-temperature and high-temperature biothermostats, a vibration protection platform, and a universal workplace with the necessary equipment for scientific and applied research. The module has dimensions of 6.0m by 2.2m and is intended, in addition to carrying out research work in the fields of biotechnology and materials science, for additional storage of cargo, for the possibility of using it as a port for mooring spacecraft and for additional refueling of the station with fuel. As part of the Rassvet module, another lock chamber, an additional radiator-heat exchanger, a portable workplace and a spare element of the ERA robotic arm for the future Russian scientific laboratory module were sent.
Multifunctional module "Leonardo" (PMM-permanent multipurpose module)
The Leonardo module was launched into orbit and delivered by the Discovery shuttle on May 24, 2010 and docked to the ISS on March 1, 2011. This module used to belong to the three multi-purpose logistics modules "Leonardo", "Raffaello" and "Donatello" made in Italy to deliver the necessary cargo to the ISS. They carried cargo and were delivered by the Discovery and Atlantis shuttles, docking with the Unity module. But the Leonardo module was re-equipped with the installation of life support systems, power supply, thermal control, fire extinguishing, data transmission and processing, and, starting from March 2011, began to be part of the ISS as a baggage sealed multifunctional module for permanent placement of cargo. The module has dimensions of a cylindrical part of 4.8m by a diameter of 4.57ms with an internal living volume of 30.1 cubic meters. meters and serves as a good additional volume for the American segment of the ISS.
ISS Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM)
The BEAM module is an American experimental inflatable module developed by Bigelow Aerospace. CEO Robber Bigelow is a hotel system billionaire and a space aficionado at the same time. The company is engaged in space tourism. Robber Bigelow's dream is a system of hotels in space, on the Moon and Mars. The creation of an inflatable housing and hotel complex in space turned out to be great idea which has a number of advantages over modules made of iron heavy rigid structures. Inflatable modules of the BEAM type are much lighter, small in size during transportation and much more economical in financially. NASA appreciated this idea of the company and in December 2012 signed a contract with the company for 17.8 million to create an inflatable module for the ISS, and in 2013 a contract was signed with Sierra Nevada Corporatio to create a docking mechanism for Beam and the ISS. In 2015, the BEAM module was built and on April 16, 2016, the Dragon spacecraft of the private company SpaceX delivered it to the ISS in its container in the cargo hold, where it was successfully docked behind the Tranquility module. On the ISS, the cosmonauts deployed the module, inflated it with air, checked it for leaks, and on June 6, American ISS astronaut Jeffrey Williams and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka entered it and installed all the necessary equipment there. The BEAM module on the ISS, when deployed, is an interior without windows up to 16 cubic meters in size. Its dimensions are 5.2 meters in diameter and 6.5 meters in length. Weight 1360 kg. The module body consists of 8 air tanks made of metal bulkheads, an aluminum folding structure and several layers of strong elastic fabric located at a certain distance from each other. Inside the module, as mentioned above, was equipped with the necessary research equipment. The pressure is set the same as on the ISS. It is planned that BEAM will stay on the space station for 2 years and will be mostly closed, astronauts should visit it only to check for tightness and its overall structural integrity in space conditions only 4 times a year. In 2 years, I plan to undock the BEAM module from the ISS, after which it will burn up in the outer layers of the atmosphere. The main task of the presence of the BEAM module on the ISS is to test its design for strength, tightness and operation in harsh space conditions. For 2 years, it is planned to test for protection in it from radiation and other types of cosmic radiation, resistance to small space debris. Since in the future it is planned to use inflatable modules for astronauts to live in them, the results of the maintenance conditions comfortable conditions(temperature, pressure, air, tightness) will give an answer to the questions of further development and structure of such modules. AT this moment Bigelow Aerospace is already developing the next version of a similar but significantly larger habitable inflatable module with windows and a much larger volume, the B-330, which can be used on the Lunar Space Station and on Mars.
Today, any person from Earth can look at the ISS in the night sky with the naked eye, as a luminous moving star moving at an angular velocity of about 4 degrees per minute. Highest value its magnitude is observed from 0m to -04m. The ISS moves around the Earth and at the same time makes one revolution in 90 minutes or 16 revolutions per day. The height of the ISS above the Earth is approximately 410-430 km, but due to friction in the remnants of the atmosphere, due to the influence of the Earth's gravity, to avoid a dangerous collision with space debris and for successful docking with delivery ships, the height of the ISS is constantly being adjusted. Altitude adjustment is carried out using the engines of the Zarya module. The original planned life of the station was 15 years, and has now been extended until approximately 2020.
According to http://www.mcc.rsa.ru
Lineup MKC (Dawn — Columbus)
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ISS configuration
Functional cargo block "Zarya"
The deployment of the ISS began with the launch on November 20, 1998 (09:40:00 UTC) using the Russian Proton launch vehicle of the Zarya functional cargo unit (FGB), also created in Russia.
The Zarya functional cargo block is the first element of the International Space Station (ISS). It was designed and manufactured by the M.V. Khrunichev (Moscow, Russia) in accordance with the contract concluded with the general subcontractor for the ISS project — the Boeing Company (Houston, Texas, USA). The assembly of the ISS in near-Earth orbit begins with this module. At the initial stage of assembly, the FGB provides flight control for a bundle of modules, power supply, communications, reception, storage and transfer of fuel.
Scheme of the functional cargo block "Zarya"
| Parameter | Meaning |
| Mass in orbit | 20260 kg |
| body length | 12990 mm |
| Max Diameter | 4100 mm |
| The volume of hermetic compartments | 71.5 cubic meters |
| Swipe solar panels | 24400 mm |
| 28 sq.m | |
| Guaranteed average daily power supply voltage 28 V | 3 kW |
| Power supply capacity of the American segment | up to 2 kW |
| Mass of refueling fuel | up to 6100 kg |
| Working orbit altitude | 350-500 km |
| 15 years |
The layout of the FGB includes an instrument-cargo compartment (ICP) and a pressurized adapter (GA) designed to accommodate on-board systems that provide mechanical docking with other ISS modules and ships arriving at the ISS. The HA is separated from the PGO by a hermetic spherical bulkhead, which has a hatch with a diameter of 800 mm. On the outer surface of the GA there is a special unit for the mechanical capture of the FGB by the manipulator of the Shuttle spacecraft. The hermetic volume of PGO is 64.5 cubic meters, GA - 7.0 cubic meters. The internal space of the PGO and GA is divided into two zones: instrumental and residential. Blocks of on-board systems are located in the instrument area. The living area is intended for crew work. It contains elements of control and management systems for the onboard complex, as well as emergency warning and warning. The instrument area is separated from the living area by interior panels.
PGO is functionally divided into three compartments: PGO-2 is the conical section of the FGB, PGO-Z is a cylindrical section adjacent to the GA, PGO-1 is a cylindrical section between PGO-2 and PGO-Z.
Connecting module "Unity"
The first US-made element of the International Space Station is the Node 1 (“first node”) module, also called Unity (“Unity” or “Unity”).
The Node 1 module was manufactured by The Boeing Co. in Huntsville (Alabama).
The module has over 50,000 parts, 216 pipelines for pumping liquids and gases, 121 indoor and outdoor cables with a total length of about 10 km.
The module was delivered and installed by the crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-88) on December 7, 1998. Crew: Commander Robert Cabana, Pilot Frederic Sturkou, Flight Specialists Jerry Ross, Nancy Currie, James Newman and Sergey Krikalev.
The Unity module is a cylindrical structure made of aluminum with six hatches for connecting other components of the station - four of which (radial) are openings with frames closed by hatches, and two end ones are equipped with locks, to which docking adapters are attached, having two axial docking node., forms a corridor connecting the living and working premises of the International Space Station. This node, 5.49 m long and 4.58 m in diameter, is connected to the Zarya functional cargo block.
In addition to connecting to the Zarya module, this node serves as a corridor connecting the American laboratory module, the American inhabited module (accommodation compartments) and the airlock.
Important systems and communications pass through the Unity module, such as pipelines for supplying liquids, gases, environmental controls, life support systems, power supply and data transmission.
At the Kennedy Space Center, the Unity was equipped with two Pressurized Mating Adapters (PMAs), which look like asymmetrical conical crowns. The PMA-1 adapter will provide docking of American and Russian components of the station, PMA-2 - docking of the Space Shuttle to it. The adapters contain computers that provide control and management functions for the Unity module, as well as data transmission, voice information and video communication with the Houston MCC at the first stages of the ISS installation, complementing the Russian communication systems installed in the Zarya module. The adapter elements are built at Boeing's Huntington Beach, California facility.
Unity with two adapters in the launch configuration has a length of 10.98 m and a mass of about 11500 kg.
The design and manufacture of the Unity module cost approximately $300 million.
Service Module Zvezda
The service module (SM) "Zvezda" was launched into low-Earth orbit by the carrier rocket "Proton" on 12.07.2000. (07:56:36 DMV) and 07/26/2000. docked to the functional cargo block (FGB) of the ISS.
Structurally, the Zvezda SM consists of four compartments: three sealed ones - a transition compartment (PxO), a working compartment (RO) and an intermediate chamber (PrK), as well as an unpressurized aggregate compartment (AO) in which the combined propulsion system (ODS) is located. The body of the sealed compartments is made of aluminum-magnesium alloy and is a welded structure consisting of cylindrical, conical and spherical blocks.
The transfer compartment is designed to ensure the transfer of crew members between the SM and other ISS modules. It also performs the functions of an airlock compartment when the crew members go into outer space, for which there is a pressure relief valve on the side cover.
The shape of the FSO is a combination of a sphere with a diameter of 2.2 m and a truncated cone with base diameters of 1.35 m and 1.9 m. The length of the FSO is 2.78 m, the hermetic volume is 6.85 m3. The conical part (large diameter) of the PxO is attached to the RO. Three hybrid passive docking units SSVP-M G8000 (one axial and two lateral) are installed on the spherical part of the FSO. FGB "Zarya" is docked to the axial node at the FSO. It is planned to install the Scientific and Energy Platform (SEP) at the upper node of the FSO. First, Docking Compartment No. 1, and then the Universal Docking Module (USM) should moor to the lower docking port.
Main technical characteristics
| Parameter | Meaning |
| Docking nodes | 4 things. |
| Portholes | 13 pcs. |
| Mass of the module at the launch stage | 22776 kg |
| Mass in orbit after separation from the launch vehicle | 20295 kg |
| Module dimensions: | |
| length with fairing and intermediate compartment | 15.95 m |
| length without fairing and intermediate compartment | 12.62 m |
| body length | 13.11 m |
| width with solar panel open | 29.73 m |
| maximum diameter | 4.35 m |
| volume of sealed compartments | 89.0 m3 |
| internal volume with equipment | 75,0 m3 |
| crew accommodation | 46.7 m3 |
| Crew life support | up to 6 people |
| Swipe solar panels | 29.73 m |
| Area of photovoltaic cells | 76 m2 |
| Maximum output power of solar panels | 13.8 kW |
| Duration of operation in orbit | 15 years |
| Power supply system: | |
| operating voltage, V | 28 |
| solar panels power, kW | 10 |
| Propulsion system: | |
| marching engines, kgf | 2?312 |
| attitude thrusters, kgf | 32?13,3 |
| mass of oxidizer (nitrogen tetroxide), kg | 558 |
| mass of fuel (UDMG), kg | 302 |
Main functions:
- provision of working and rest conditions for the crew;
- management of the main parts of the complex;
- supply of the complex with electricity;
- two-way radio communication of the crew with the ground control complex (GCC);
- reception and transmission of television information;
- transmission to the NKU of telemetric information about the state of the crew and on-board systems;
- reception on board of management information;
- orientation of the complex relative to the center of mass;
- complex orbit correction;
- rendezvous and docking of other objects of the complex;
- maintenance of a given temperature and humidity regime of the living volume, structural elements and equipment;
- exit to the open space of cosmonauts, performance of work on maintenance and repair of the external surface of the station;
- scientific and applied research and experiments using delivered target equipment;
- the ability to carry out two-way on-board communication of all modules of the Alpha complex.
On the outer surface of the FW there are brackets on which handrails are fixed, three sets of antennas (AR-VKA, 2AR-VKA and 4AO-VKA) of the Kurs system for three docking nodes, docking targets, STR units, a remote control refueling unit, a television camera, airborne lights and other equipment. The outer surface is covered with EVTI panels and anti-meteorite screens. There are four portholes in the PHO.
The working compartment is designed to accommodate the main part of the onboard systems and equipment of the SM, for the life and work of the crew.
The RO body consists of two cylinders of different diameters (2.9 m and 4.1 m) connected to each other by a conical adapter. The length of a small diameter cylinder is 3.5 m, a large one is 2.9 m. The front and rear bottoms are spherical. The total length of the SR is 7.7 m, the hermetic volume with equipment is 75.0 m3, the crew dwelling volume is 35.1 m3. Interior panels separate the living area from the control room, as well as from the RO building.
There are 8 portholes in the RO.
The living quarters of the RO are equipped with means of ensuring the life of the crew. In the zone of small diameter of the RO there is a central station control post with control units and emergency warning panels. In the large diameter area of the RO there are two personal cabins (1.2 m3 each), a sanitary compartment with a washbasin and a sewage device (1.2 m3), a kitchen with a refrigerator-freezer, a work table with fixation devices, medical equipment, exercise equipment, a small lock chamber for separating containers with waste and small spacecraft.
From the outside, the RO housing is closed with multilayer screen-vacuum thermal insulation (EVTI). Radiators are installed on the cylindrical parts, which also serve as anti-meteorite screens. Areas unprotected by radiators are covered with honeycomb carbon fiber screens.
Handrails are installed on the outer surface of the RV, which the crew members can use to move and fix while working in outer space.
Outside the small diameter of the RO, sensors of the motion and navigation control system (SUDN) for orientation along the Sun and the Earth, four sensors of the SB orientation system and other equipment are installed.
The intermediate chamber is designed to ensure the transition of cosmonauts between the SM and the Soyuz or Progress spacecraft docked to the aft docking unit.
The PRC is shaped like a cylinder with a diameter of 2.0 m and a length of 2.34 m. The internal volume is 7.0 m3.
The RC is equipped with one passive docking unit located along the longitudinal axis of the SM. The node is designed for docking of cargo and transport ships, including Russian ships Soyuz TM, Soyuz TMA, Progress M and Progress M2, as well as the European automatic vehicle ATV. For external observation, there are two portholes in the PK, and a TV camera is fixed on it from the outside.
The aggregate compartment is designed to accommodate the units of the joint propulsion system (APU).
The AO has a cylindrical shape, from the end it is closed with a bottom screen made of EVTI. The outer surface of the AO is closed with an anti-meteorite protective casing and EVTI. Handrails and antennas are installed on the outer surface, there are hatches for servicing equipment located inside the AO.
At the stern of the AO there are two corrective engines, and on the side surface there are four blocks of orientation engines. Outside, on the rear frame of the AO, a rod with a highly directional antenna (ONA) of the Lira on-board radio system is fixed. In addition, there are three antennas of the Kurs system, four antennas of the radio engineering control and communication system, two antennas of the television system, six antennas of the telephone and telegraph communication system, and antennas of the orbit radio monitoring equipment on the AO case.
Also, SUDN sensors for orientation to the Sun, sensors of the SB orientation system, side lights, etc. are fixed at the AO.
Internal layout of the Service Module:
1 - transition compartment; 2 - passage hatch; 3 - docking equipment in manual mode; 4 - gas mask; 5 - air purification units; 6 - solid fuel oxygen generators; 7 - cabin; 8 - compartment of the sanitary device; 9 - intermediate chamber; 10 - passage hatch; 11 - fire extinguisher; 12 - aggregate compartment; 13 - the place of installation of the treadmill; 14 - dust collector; 15 - table; 16 - the place of installation of the bicycle ergometer; 17 - portholes; 18 - central control post.
The composition of the service equipment of the SM "Zvezda":
onboard control complex consisting of:
— traffic control systems (CMS);
- onboard computing system;
— airborne radio complex;
— on-board measurement systems;
- onboard complex control systems (SUBC);
— equipment for teleoperator control mode (TORU);
power supply system (EPS);
integrated propulsion system (APU);
system for ensuring thermal regimes (SOTR);
life support system (SOZH);
medical supplies.
Laboratory module "Destiny"
On February 9, 2001, the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis STS-98 delivered and docked the laboratory module Destiny (Destiny) to the station.
The American science module Destiny consists of three cylindrical sections and two terminal truncated cones that contain airtight hatches used by the crew to enter and exit the module. The Destiny is docked to the forward docking port of the Unity module.
The science and support equipment inside the Destiny module is mounted in ISPR (International Standard Payload Racks) standard payload units. In total, Destiny contains 23 ISPR units - six each on the starboard, port side and ceiling, and five on the floor.
Destiny has a life support system that provides power, air purification, and temperature and humidity control in the module.
In the pressurized module, astronauts can perform research in various fields scientific knowledge: in medicine, technology, biotechnology, physics, materials science, and the study of the Earth.
The module was manufactured by the American company Boeing.
Universal lock chamber "Quest"
The universal airlock Quest was delivered to the ISS by the Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-104 on July 15, 2001, and using the remote manipulator of the Canadarm 2 station, it was removed from the cargo compartment of the Atlantis, transferred and docked to the berth of the American module NODE-1 "Unity".
The Quest universal airlock is designed to provide spacewalks for ISS crews using both American spacesuits and Russian Orlan spacesuits.
Prior to the installation of this airlock, spacewalks were carried out either through the transfer compartment (Pho) of the Zvezda service module (in Russian spacesuits) or through the Space Shuttle (in American spacesuits).
Once installed and brought into working condition, the lock chamber became one of the main systems for providing spacewalks and return to the ISS and made it possible to use any of existing systems suits or both at the same time.
Main technical characteristics
The airlock is a pressurized module consisting of two main compartments (connected at their ends using a connecting partition and a hatch): the crew compartment, through which the astronauts leave the ISS into outer space, and the equipment compartment, where units and spacesuits are stored to ensure EVA, as well as the so-called night "washout" units, which are used on the night before spacewalks to flush out nitrogen from the astronaut's blood during the descent process atmospheric pressure. This procedure makes it possible to avoid the manifestation of signs of decompression after the astronaut returns from outer space and pressurizes the compartment.
crew compartment
height - 2565 mm.
outer diameter - 1996 mm.
hermetic volume - 4.25 cubic meters. m.
Basic equipment:
hatch for spacewalk with a diameter of 1016 mm;
gateway control panel.
Equipment compartment
Main technical characteristics:
length - 2962 mm.
outer diameter - 4445 mm.
hermetic volume - 29.75 cubic meters. m.
Basic equipment:
pressure hatch for transition to the equipment compartment;
pressure hatch for transfer to the ISS
two standard racks with service systems;
equipment for maintaining spacesuits and debugging equipment for EVA;
pump for pumping out the atmosphere;
panel for connecting interface connectors;
The crew compartment is a redesigned outer airlock of the Space Shuttle. It is equipped with a lighting system, external handrails and UIA (Umbilical Interface Assembly) interface connectors for connecting support systems. UIA connectors are located on one of the walls of the crew compartment and are designed for water supply, liquid waste removal and oxygen supply. The connectors are also used to provide communication and power supply to the spacesuits and can simultaneously serve two spacesuits (both Russian and American).
Before opening the hatch of the crew compartment for EVA, the pressure in the compartment is reduced first to 0.2 atm, and then to zero.
Inside the suit, an atmosphere of pure oxygen is maintained at a pressure of 0.3 atm for the American suit and 0.4 atm for the Russian one.
Reduced pressure is required to ensure sufficient mobility of the suits. At higher pressures, suits become stiff and difficult to work in for extended periods of time.
The equipment compartment is equipped with service systems for donning and removing suits, as well as for periodic their maintenance work.
In the equipment compartment there are devices for maintaining the atmosphere inside the compartment, batteries, power supply system and other supporting systems.
The Quest module can provide air environment, with a low nitrogen content, in which astronauts can "spend the night" before going out into outer space, due to which their bloodstream is cleared of excessive nitrogen content, which prevents decompression sickness while working in a spacesuit with oxygen-saturated air, and after work, when pressure changes environment(pressure in Russian Orlan spacesuits is 0.4 atm, in American EMUs it is 0.3 atm). In the past, to prepare for spacewalks, to rid the body of nitrogen, a method was used in which people inhaled pure oxygen for several hours before going out.
In April 2006, ISS-12 Expedition Commander William McArthur, and ISS-13 Expedition Flight Engineer Geoffrey Williams, checked new method preparations for spacewalks, "having spent the night" in this way, in the airlock. The pressure in the chamber was reduced from normal - 1 atm. (101 kilopascals or 14.7 pounds per square inch), up to 0.69 atm. (70 kPa or 10.2 psi). Due to an error by the MCC officer, the crew was awakened four hours ahead of schedule, and yet the test was considered successfully passed. After that, this method began to be used by the American side on an ongoing basis before going into space.
The Quest module was needed by the American side because their suits did not match the parameters of Russian airlocks - they had different components, different settings, and different connecting mounts. Prior to the installation of Quest, spacewalks could only be carried out from the airlock compartment of the Zvezda module in Orlan spacesuits. American EMU could be used for spacewalks only during the docking of their shuttle to the ISS. In the future, the connection of the Pirs module added another option for using the Orlans.
The module was attached on July 14, 2001 by STS-104. It was installed on the right docking port of the Unity module to a single docking mechanism (eng. CBM).
The module contains equipment and is designed to work with both types of suits, but currently (information as of 2006!) is only able to function with the American side because the equipment needed to work with Russian space suits has not yet been launched. As a result, when the ISS-9 expedition had problems with the American spacesuits, they had to make their way to their workplace in a roundabout way.
On February 21, 2005, due to a malfunction of the Quest module, caused, as the media reported, by rust formed in the airlock, the astronauts temporarily carried out spacewalks through the Zvezda module
Docking compartment Pirs
The Docking Compartment (SO) Pirs, which is an element of the Russian Segment of the ISS, was launched on September 15, 2001 as part of the Progress M-SO1 Specialized Cargo Module Vehicle (GCM). On September 17, 2001, the Progress M-CO1 spacecraft docked with the International Space Station.
The Pirs docking compartment was designed and manufactured by RSC Energia and has a dual purpose. It can be used as an airlock for spacewalks of two crew members and serves as an additional port for docking with the ISS of manned spacecraft of the Soyuz TM type and automatic cargo spacecraft of the Progress M type.
In addition, it provides the possibility of refueling the ISS PC tanks with propellant components delivered on cargo transport vehicles.
Main technical characteristics
| Parameter | Meaning |
| Weight at start, kg | 4350 |
| Mass in orbit, kg | 3580 |
| Reserve weight of delivered cargo, kg | 800 |
| Orbit height during assembly, km | 350-410 |
| Operating altitude of the orbit, km | 410-460 |
| Length (with docking units), m | 4,91 |
| Maximum diameter, m | 2,55 |
| The volume of the sealed compartment, m? | 13 |
The Pirs docking compartment consists of a pressurized body and equipment installed on it, service systems and structural elements that provide spacewalks.
The pressure vessel of the compartment and the power set are made of aluminum alloys AMg-6, pipelines are made of corrosion-resistant steels and titanium alloys. Outside, the case is closed with 1 mm thick panels of anti-meteorite protection and screen-vacuum thermal insulation
Two docking nodes - active and passive - are located along the longitudinal axis of the Pirs. The active docking station is designed for hermetic connection with the Zvezda CM. Passive docking station located with opposite side compartment, designed for hermetic connection with transport vehicles such as Soyuz TM and Progress M.
Outside the compartment, four antennas of equipment for measuring parameters are installed. relative motion"Kurs-A" used during docking of SO to the ISS, as well as the equipment of the "Kurs-P" system, which provides rendezvous and docking to the compartment of transport ships.
Two annular frames with hatches for spacewalks are installed in the hull. Both hatches have a clear diameter of 1000 mm. Each lid has a porthole with a clear diameter of 228 mm. Both hatches are absolutely equivalent and can be used depending on which side of the Pirs is more convenient for the crew members to go out into outer space. Each hatch is designed for 120 openings. For the convenience of cosmonauts' work in outer space, there are ring handrails around the hatches inside and outside the compartment.
Handrails are also installed outside all elements of the compartment body to facilitate the work of crew members during exits.
Inside the Pirs CO, there are blocks of equipment for the systems of thermal control, communication, control of the on-board complex, television and telemetry systems, cables of the on-board network and pipelines of the thermal control system are laid.
The compartment contains control panels for locking, control and management of SO service systems, communication, removal and supply of power supply, lighting switches, electrical sockets.
Two BSS interface units provide locking for two crew members in Orlan-M space suits.
Service systems of the module:
thermal control system;
communication system;
onboard complex control system;
consoles for control and management of SO service systems;
television and telemetry systems.
Module target systems:
gateway control panels.
two interface units providing airlock for two crew members.
two hatches for spacewalks with a diameter of 1000 mm.
active and passive docking stations.
Connection module "Harmony"
The Harmony module was delivered to the ISS aboard the Discovery shuttle (STS-120) and on October 26, 2007 it was temporarily installed on the left docking port of the Unity module of the ISS.
On November 14, 2007, the Harmony module was moved by the ISS-16 crew to its permanent location, the forward docking port of the Destiny module. Previously, the shuttle docking module was moved to the forward docking port of the Harmony module.
The "Harmony" module is a connecting element for two research laboratories: European - "Columbus" and Japanese - "Kibo".
It provides power supply to the modules connected to it and data exchange. To ensure the possibility of increasing the number of permanent crew of the ISS, the module is equipped with additional system life support.
In addition, the module is equipped with three additional sleeping places for astronauts.
The module is an aluminum cylinder with a length of 7.3 meters and an outer diameter of 4.4 meters. The hermetic volume of the module is 70 m³, the weight of the module is 14,300 kg.
The Node 2 module was delivered to the Space Center. Kennedy June 1, 2003. The module was named "Harmony" on March 15, 2007.
On February 11, 2008, the Columbus European scientific laboratory was attached to the Harmony's right docking port by the Atlantis STS-122 shuttle expedition. In the spring of 2008, the Japanese scientific laboratory "Kibo" was docked to it. The upper (anti-aircraft) docking port, previously intended for the canceled Japanese centrifuge module(CAM), will temporarily be used for docking with the first part of the Kibo laboratory - an experimental cargo hold ELM, which was delivered on March 11, 2008 by the STS-123 expedition of the space shuttle Endeavor.
Laboratory module "Columbus"
"Columbus"(English) Columbus- Columbus) - a module of the International Space Station, commissioned by the European Space Agency by a consortium of European aerospace firms. Columbus, Europe's first major contribution to the construction of the ISS, is a scientific laboratory that gives European scientists the opportunity to conduct research in microgravity.
The module was launched on February 7, 2008, aboard the shuttle Atlantis during flight STS-122. Docked to the Harmony module on February 11 at 21:44 UTC.
The Columbus module was built for the European Space Agency by a consortium of European aerospace firms. The cost of its construction exceeded $1.9 billion.
It is a scientific laboratory designed to conduct physical, materials science, biomedical and other experiments in the absence of gravity. The planned duration of the Columbus operation is 10 years.
The case of the cylindrical module with a diameter of 4477 mm and a length of 6871 mm has a mass of 12,112 kg.
Inside the module there are 10 unified places (cells) for installing containers with scientific apparatus and equipment.
On the outer surface of the module there are four places for attaching scientific equipment intended for research and experiments in outer space. (study of solar-terrestrial relations, analysis of the impact on equipment and materials of a long stay in space, experiments on the survival of bacteria in extreme conditions, etc.).
At the time of delivery to the ISS, 5 containers with scientific equipment for conducting scientific experiments in the field of biology, physiology and materials science weighing 2.5 tons were already installed in the module.
The International Space Station (ISS), the successor to the Soviet station Mir, is celebrating its 10th anniversary since its inception. The agreement on the establishment of the ISS was signed on January 29, 1998 in Washington by representatives of Canada, the governments of the member states of the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan, Russia and the United States.
Work on the International Space Station began in 1993 .
March 15, 1993 Director General of the RCA Yu.N. Koptev and General Designer of NPO "ENERGIA" Yu.P. Semenov approached the head of NASA, D. Goldin, with a proposal to create the International Space Station.
On September 2, 1993, the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.S. Chernomyrdin and US Vice President A. Gore signed a "Joint Statement on Cooperation in Space", which, among other things, provides for the creation of a joint station. In its development, RSA and NASA developed and on November 1, 1993 signed the "Detailed Work Plan for the International Space Station". This made it possible in June 1994 to sign a contract between NASA and RSA "On supplies and services for the Mir station and the International Space Station."
Taking into account certain changes at the joint meetings of the Russian and American sides in 1994, the ISS had the following structure and organization of work:
In addition to Russia and the USA, Canada, Japan and the countries of European cooperation are participating in the creation of the station;
The station will consist of 2 integrated segments (Russian and American) and will be gradually assembled in orbit from separate modules.
The construction of the ISS in near-Earth orbit began on November 20, 1998 with the launch of the Zarya functional cargo block.
Already on December 7, 1998, the American Unity connecting module, delivered into orbit by the Endeavor shuttle, was docked to it.
On December 10, hatches to the new station were opened for the first time. The first to enter it were Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev and American astronaut Robert Cabana.
On July 26, 2000, the Zvezda service module was introduced into the ISS, which at the station deployment stage became its base unit, the main place for the life and work of the crew.
In November 2000, the crew of the first long-term expedition arrived at the ISS: William Shepherd (commander), Yuri Gidzenko (pilot) and Sergey Krikalev (flight engineer). Since then, the station has been permanently inhabited.
During the deployment of the station, 15 main expeditions and 13 visiting expeditions visited the ISS. Currently, the station is home to the crew of Expedition 16 - the first American woman commander of the ISS, Peggy Whitson, ISS flight engineers Russian Yuri Malenchenko and American Daniel Tani.
Under a separate agreement with ESA, six flights of European astronauts were carried out to the ISS: Claudie Haignere (France) - in 2001, Roberto Vittori (Italy) - in 2002 and 2005, Frank de Winne (Belgium) - in 2002, Pedro Duque (Spain) - in 2003, Andre Kuipers (Netherlands) - in 2004.
A new page in the commercial use of space was opened after the flights to the Russian segment of the ISS of the first space tourists - American Denis Tito (in 2001) and South African Mark Shuttleworth (in 2002). For the first time non-professional astronauts visited the station.
The creation of the ISS is by far the largest project implemented jointly by Roscosmos, NASA, ESA, the Canadian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
RSC Energia and the Khrunichev Center are participating in the project on behalf of the Russian side. The Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (TsPK), TsNIIMASH, the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMBP), Zvezda Research and Production Enterprise and other leading organizations of the Russian rocket and space industry.
The material was prepared by the online editors www.rian.ru based on information from open sources
