Russians Complete Vacuum Testing on New ISS Module
MOSCOW (Roscosmos PR) — Specialists at Khrunichev (part of Roscosmos State Corporation) completed the vacuum tests of a new Russian Nauka (“Science”) module of the International Space Station.
The module was tested by the most objective control method for compliance with the specified characteristics in conditions close to operational. Vacuum tests confirmed the requirements for the standard operation of all systems of the Nuaku module.
The performance check of all subsystems of the module responsible for the operation of the propulsion system, the temperature control system was carried out, the tightness of the hull and airlock was confirmed, the tightness and performance of the docking units and airtight hatches, as well as a number of related systems, were verified.
Currently, the specialists of the rocket and space plant are preparing the module for shipment to the Baikonur Cosmodrome, where the control tests will be continued before its launch to the International Space Station.
The development of the Science module began more than 20 years ago, based on the backup of the Zarya module – FGB-2. The availability of the module has been repeatedly postponed, and therefore some of its elements needed to be modernized. Subsequently, the module was called the Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM).
In accordance with the current plans of the Roscosmos State Corporation, which took special control of the implementation of the ground-based testing program for the Nauka module by rocket and space specialists, it should be launched to the International Space Station in 2021.
12 responses to “Russians Complete Vacuum Testing on New ISS Module”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Last year, Nauka was scheduled to launch this year. Now it’s 2021. As with SLS, I don’t think we’re anywhere near the end of continued rightward schedule slippage.
The Salyut program lives! I’ll bet Elvis is hiding aboard this module.
thank very much cosmic brothers
We still calling Nauka “new” eh ?
Every time I see a grainy, badly lit photo of some Russian space hardware under construction (with lots of cables dangling around in an un-orderly way), I’m amazed that they have achieved so many things in space.
Is this only my “western eye” looking at things?
And: Has this always been like this, or did did things deteriorate so much after the collapse of the Soviet Union?
Russians prioritize different things than we do in the west. The resultant mess is reflected in their society and the lives of the average Russian. However don’t think that translates into non functionality of their systems. For the conditions they’re made to operate in they can hold up better than their more expensive Western cousins. Soyuz looks like a mess and the total kludge it is, yet for 50 years it’s kept humanity flying when other, cleaner, designs have come and gone with large gaps between shutting down one program and starting operations with another.
Even during the Soviet period things were a mess along these lines. But there is a method to their madness. What we might consider sloppy work and operations, can actually be a form of excellence. Case in point the Kharkhovchenka. I hope I live long enough to see someone repeat the life of the Kharkovchenks on the Moon or Mars.
st. The resultant mess is reflected in their society and the lives of the average Russian.
their space stuff is fascinating.
…What we might consider sloppy work and operations, can actually be a form of excellence…
Yes…Boeing reports that this method of operation has been working wonderfully for them.
Both Boeing and Airbus do. Airmanship should have been enough to buy time to fix the 737 Max issue. If you don’t think an Airbus’ control system in the absence of good airmanship won’t destroy an airliner look up AirFrance 447. But the MAX got turned into a good story to play politics with by all players. Indonesia, and Ethiopia used the story as CYA. LionAir is synonymous with 737 crashes. Europe used it to sell more A320s and A321, while China used it to buy more time for the C919. Russia would do exactly the kind of mis-engineering that went into the 737’s controls. Likely, they’d not even fix it. Just have the pilots turn off the system. Systems last a very long time with these kinds of issues. The 737 had fatal rudder issues all during the 80’s and into the 90’s. That does not mean they’re not great systems, just not perfect. What Salyut hardware shows is that ‘good enough’ can have a long lifetime.
I’m thinking more in terms of Starliner and SLS.
Well SLS is good business. What’s good for the shareholders ….. On the political side, SLS is executing its intended role in space exploration right now, and has been since the first money started flowing thru the program. That’s a malfunction of another order.
Starliner, total lack of oversight or total lack of competent oversight and Boeing living up to the worst aspects of not being a software shop. BTW, the MAX software sounds like the same kind of slop as we saw on Starliner. Boeing seems not to believe in engineering anymore. They do have big problems. There’s no doubt about it.
This time, I believe they’re really gonna do it!