24.01.2020
Delivery of Nauka module to Baikonur postponed over fuel tank adjustments The module was initially scheduled to arrive to Baikonur in early January
The delivery of Russia’s multifunctional lab module Nauka, to the Baikonur space center, from where it is to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS), was postponed due to additional adjustments required for its propellant tanks, a rocket and space industry source told TASS on Thursday.
The module was initially scheduled to arrive to Baikonur in early January.
"At present, sending the multipurpose lab module to the launch center is scheduled for between March 20 and 30," the source said, adding that the delay was caused by "additional adjustments that should be carried out due to the use of original propellant tanks."
Earlier, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozi said the research module’s original propellant tanks, manufactured about 18 years ago, could be replaced with those from the Fregat booster. However, later it was decided to send the module to the ISS with its original tanks.
The construction of the Nauka module began in 1995. Russia initially planned to launch the Nauka lab to the ISS as a back-up of the Zarya compartment (the station’s first module that continues its flight as part of the orbital outpost) but the launch was numerously delayed. In 2013, the Nauka module was sent to the Khrunichev Space Center after metal chips were found in its fuel system.
The Nauka multi-functional laboratory module can generate oxygen for six people and regenerate water from the urine. The Nauka will provide a second toilet for Russian cosmonauts (the first is located in the Zvezda module) and a room for the third crewmember. It will also use the European Robotic Arm (ERA) that will help perform some operations without spacewalks. A source in the space industry earlier told TASS that the Nauka module was due to be dispatched to the Baikonur spaceport on January 15, 2020.
Rogozin said on December 16 that the module may be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in early 2021 instead of late 2020 as was initially planned.
Quelle: TASS
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Update: 21.02.2020
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Russia’s Proton-M rocket ready to deliver Nauka research lab to space station
Russia’s Khrunichev Space Center has built a Proton-M carrier rocket to deliver the Nauka (Science) multi-functional laboratory module to the International Space Station (ISS), Head of the State Space Corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin said on Friday.
"The Proton for this launch has already been built and I am confident that the multi-functional laboratory module will fly [to the International Space Station]," Rogozin said at the 11th international conference of the Russian Association of Aviation and Space Insurers.
The Roscosmos chief confirmed that the module was expected to be sent to the Baikonur spaceport on March 19 this year. Earlier, Khrunichev Space Center Chief Alexei Varochko also mentioned this date.
Launch of Nauka module scheduled for May 2021, but can be postponed to July
The launch of the Nauka multi-functional laboratory module to the International Space Station is scheduled for May 2021, but can be postponed to July if necessary, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin said on Tuesday.
"So far, we are still eyeing the May launch window," he said in an interview with the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio. "But in case of any concerns, even the slightest ones, we will not take any chances. We have no right to put the launch at risk now. In this case, we will postpone it to July."
According to the Russian space official, the Nauka module project now proceeds according to the schedule.
Khrunichev Space Center Deputy CEO for Production Khokhlov said on July 31 that the research module would undergo a cycle of tests at the Baikonur space center before its launch to the ISS. All launch preparations would take nine months, he added.
In his words, the stage of electrical tests takes about six months, with all preparations included. Another three months will be necessary for pre-launch preparations, including microbiological protection, fueling and other operations.
The Nauka multi-functional laboratory module can generate oxygen for six people and regenerate water from the urine. The Nauka will provide a second toilet for Russian cosmonauts (the first is located in the Zvezda module) and a room for the third crewmember. It will also use the European Robotic Arm (ERA) that will help perform certain operations without spacewalks.
Quelle: TASS