The International Space Station (ISS) is to be a little bigger.
On July 21, the Russian space agency launched the station’s newest module aboard a Proton-M rocket. The module, named Nauka (which means science), is the station’s first new module since 2016, aside from some new docking ports and airlocks. The Nauka module contains several important additions that improve the station’s capabilities.
One of the main functions of Nauka is its guidance and navigation system, which provides the ISS with additional attitude control capabilities. Inside the 13 meter long module there are new research facilities and storage areas. The module also offers additional bedrooms for the station crew. This is an important addition as the United States recently restored its manned space capabilities with two new spacecraft: SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule and the upcoming Boeing Starliner slated for another test flight later this year. The addition of the two new vehicles alongside the Russian Soyuz vehicle means larger crews can visit the station at the same time, and Nauka will be home to those larger crews.
Nauka also carries another new technology: a robotic arm from the European Space Agency. As a counterpart to Canadarm 2, which is already stationed, the European arm is 11 meters long and is intended to “run” the Russian segment of the ISS (which the Canadarm cannot reach) and carry out repairs and upgrades if necessary.
Artist’s impression of Nauka at the station. Photo credit: NASA.
Developing Nauka has been a tedious process that has experienced years of problems and delays. It was first built as a backup for the Zarya module – the first component of the ISS ever launched in 1998. Nauka was supposed to join its twin in orbit in 2007 but then failed to take off and was again delayed for a variety of reasons including fuel leaks, expired warranties, and most recently pandemic delays.
In recent months, political tensions have raised the question of the extent to which Russia is committed to its partnership role in the ISS. The launch of Nauka finally provides concrete evidence that Russia is indeed determined to maintain its presence on the channel, at least for a short time, which is good news for everyone involved.
Unfortunately, the start of Nauka did not go very smoothly. Although it reached orbit and its antenna and solar panels extended as expected, a computer glitch caused its first orbit raise maneuver to fail. After some troubleshooting, a second attempt at the maneuver appears to have been successfully carried out by backup engines on July 22nd.
If everything goes well from here, it should take about a week for Nauka to reach the train station. The latest update from the Russian space agency showed that the next attempt to raise orbit is scheduled for Tuesday, July 27th.
There are still plans to remove Pirs’ docking port from the station this week (which will burn up in the atmosphere) to make room for Nauka, suggesting there is great confidence that the module will arrive as planned will.
Learn more: Jeff Foust, “Russia Launches Nauka Module for the International Space Station” SpaceNews.
Featured image: Naucasian launch on July 21 Roscosmos / NASATV.
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