Well, if the mercurial thrusters make the crew motion sick, they might end up looking like Kerbals...
 
The "Prichal" junction module went to Baikonur

07/31/2021 16:28

At the control and test station of the Rocket and Space Corporation "Energia" S.P. Korolev (part of the Roscosmos State Corporation), technological tests of the Prichal nodal module as part of the Progress M-UM transport cargo vehicle-module have been completed. Today, July 31, 2021, the spacecraft went to the technical complex of the Baikonur cosmodrome to continue assembly and pre-flight preparation in accordance with the schedule for the further development of the Russian segment of the International Space Station.

In recent weeks, RSC Energia specialists have successfully completed a cycle of joint tests of the Prichal module with the integrated stands of the Zvezda service module and the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module on the territory of the KIS. After the final operations, the undocked components of the spacecraft and ground test equipment were prepared for shipment to the cosmodrome by rail.

The launch of the Prichal nodal module into low-earth orbit as part of the Progress M-UM transport cargo vehicle-module using the Soyuz-2.1 launch vehicle is planned for November 2021.

 
The first video from the module "Science"

07/31/2021 22:00

Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, who is now aboard the International Space Station, published a video tour of the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module, which on Thursday, July 29, 2021, docked to the ISS in normal mode.

The footage shows how he, together with Peter Dubrov, opens the hatches into the new Russian module, after which they move into it. Then a small excursion through the "Science" itself begins.

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 volumes for the arrangement of workplaces and storage of goods, placement of equipment for the regeneration of water and oxygen.

 
NASA clarified what kind of somersault the ISS made due to the failure of the Nauka module

18:45 08/01/2021

MOSCOW, August 1 / Radio Sputnik. The NASA told how turned the International Space Station after an unscheduled engine incorporating multi-functional module "Science."

"There were almost 1.5 turns in one direction in pitch and then 0.5 turns in the opposite direction," NASA Flight Director Zebulon Scoville wrote on Twitter.

Previously, NASA reported that, according to preliminary data, the station has completed a rotation of 45 degrees. To pay off the engines of "Science" included engines module " Zvezda " and the cargo ship " Progress ".

The flight director of the Russian segment of the station, Vladimir Soloviev, explained that the unscheduled activation of the Nauka engines was due to a short-term software failure.

The module docked to the ISS on July 29. Its launch was delayed for over 13 years.

Earlier, Sputnik radio reported that Roskosmos had denied NASA's statements about investigating the situation on the ISS.

 
Astronauts on the ISS began unloading the Nauka module.

Russian cosmonauts on the ISS began unloading the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module

MOSCOW, August 2 - RIA Novosti. Russian cosmonauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday begin unloading the multipurpose laboratory module (MLM) "Science", follows from the crew's talks with the Earth , broadcast by NASA .

The module was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on July 21 by a Proton-M carrier rocket and on July 29 moored to the Zvezda module of the ISS Russian segment. The crew opened the hatch to the module on 30 July.

"Then we start unloading the MLM early today," cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky told a specialist at the Mission Control Center near Moscow .

On Saturday, he posted a video showing that the module is still filled with delivered goods.

Nauka began to be built in 1995 as a ground backup for the first module of the ISS Zarya. In 2004, it was decided to save money on the creation of a new compartment for the Russian segment of the station and to convert the "backup" into a full-fledged flight module. Its launch was originally planned for 2007, but was postponed for a total of 14 years due to financial and technical reasons.

In "Science" there is a sleeping place for an astronaut, a toilet, systems for the regeneration of oxygen from water and water from urine, workplaces for conducting experiments. It is also equipped with an airlock for carrying out the scientific equipment outside the station and the European remote manipulator ERA.

Now the 65th expedition is working on the ISS consisting of Russians Oleg Novitsky and Peter Dubrov , Americans Mark Vande Hai, Shane Kimbrow and Megan MacArthur, Japanese Akihiko Hoshide (station commander) and Frenchman Tom Peske .

Currently, the ISS Russian Segment includes five modules: the Zarya functional cargo block (created at NASA funds and owned by them, launched in 1998, became the first ISS module), the Zvezda service module (2000), small research modules "Search" (2009) and "Dawn" (2010) and the multipurpose laboratory module "Science" (2021). The arrival of the Prichal nodal module is expected in November 2021.

 

Haha holy sh** throwing shade eh? Knew it was coming. Russia is obviously thinking about their own future needs with the modules and with the politics going on I'm not seeing a good future. I don't understand it. I'd rather have Russia with us rather than Russia with China or Russia alone. They have at times had major clusterf**ks but they have been pioneers in the space race and in spite of the brain drain they still have massive intellectual pool to draw from in cooperation. Frankly ruskies are primarily drawing away from us because we want Putin out. I don't think Russia teaming with China is a good idea for them because China cares for itself and have lately been pretty cool and arrogant towards the ruskies. But I'm just simplifying complex stuff thru my own biased lens. I don't want us to stop working together in space. I even wish Xi's China would work with us and we with them in space programs.

But that article was pretty toxic. Have heard the same language a couple times from translated russian aerospace articles. Not good. Was looking at my poster of ISS and the beautiful asymmetry of the russian side and the western side (not just western involvement but you know what I mean). I love both and I want the differences and also want the different parties to be at peace. At least when it comes to space.
 

Haha holy sh** throwing shade eh? Knew it was coming. Russia is obviously thinking about their own future needs with the modules and with the politics going on I'm not seeing a good future. I don't understand it. I'd rather have Russia with us rather than Russia with China or Russia alone. They have at times had major clusterf**ks but they have been pioneers in the space race and in spite of the brain drain they still have massive intellectual pool to draw from in cooperation. Frankly ruskies are primarily drawing away from us because we want Putin out. I don't think Russia teaming with China is a good idea for them because China cares for itself and have lately been pretty cool and arrogant towards the ruskies. But I'm just simplifying complex stuff thru my own biased lens. I don't want us to stop working together in space. I even wish Xi's China would work with us and we with them in space programs.

But that article was pretty toxic. Have heard the same language a couple times from translated russian aerospace articles. Not good. Was looking at my poster of ISS and the beautiful asymmetry of the russian side and the western side (not just western involvement but you know what I mean). I love both and I want the differences and also want the different parties to be at peace. At least when it comes to space.
Naah. Don't put different "Press release, OP-ed, Analyses etc" out to be what is reality here.

The different space agencies have had and still do exellent relationship compared to other institutions.
Well bar the Chinese that are going at it alone.

As have been put out earlier in space history, there has been mishaps with thrusters, air leak etc before.
You are not working in a risk free enviroment...

The space agencies understand this.. the press are only out for clicks and readers through induced drama, this will never change.
 
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The head of NASA spoke about the prospects of the "Science" module.

NASA Chief Nelson: Science Module Added to ISS Will Promote Cooperation

17:48 08/03/2021 (updated: 08:06 08/03/2021)

WASHINGTON, Aug 3 - RIA Novosti. The head of NASA, Bill Nelson, said that the joining of the Russian module "Science" to the International Space Station would contribute to the development of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the United States and promises prospects for new discoveries.

“The successful addition of a multipurpose laboratory module will further our collaboration with the Russians. I am thrilled with what the future holds for us - Nauka and the European robotic arm will help us make even more discoveries that are valuable both for life on Earth and for our progress in space and to Mars, "Nelson said at a conference on the operation of the ISS .

He added that last week, the space agencies of both countries had to endure "a bit of unplanned excitement" when, during docking, Nauka's engines suddenly turned on.

In direct interaction with each other, Russian and US specialists managed to quickly restore the ISS's orientation and ensure the safety of the crew, Nelson said.

The module was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on July 21 by a Proton-M carrier rocket and on July 29 moored to the Zvezda module of the ISS Russian segment. The crew opened the hatch to the module on 30 July.

 
View: https://twitter.com/nasa/status/1420801401358364678


Following this morning's docking of the Nauka module to the @Space_Station, the module's thrusters started firing at 12:45pm ET inadvertently and unexpectedly, moving the station 45 degrees out of attitude. Recovery operations have regained attitude and the crew is in no danger:

View: https://twitter.com/nasa/status/1422651282066755592


Update: @space_station was 45° out of attitude when Nauka's thrusters were still firing & loss of control was discussed with the crew. Further analysis showed total attitude change before regaining normal attitude control was ~540°. Station is in good shape & operating normally.
 
To search for the reasons for the sudden switching on of the engines "Science" created a commission.

"Roscosmos": in search of the reasons for the sudden switching on of the engines of the module "Science" the commission is investigating.

09:51 08/04/2021 (updated: 08/04/2021 11:01 AM)

MOSCOW, August 4 - RIA Novosti. The commission was formed to search for the reasons for the spontaneous activation of the engines of the multipurpose laboratory module Nauka after docking with the International Space Station ( ISS ), said Sergei Krikalev , executive director for manned programs of Roscosmos .

"The module, apparently, itself could not believe that it had already docked, so when the control system of the module was brought to its initial (state) state, the control system decided that it was still in free flight - and, not understanding what was happening, for safety, an algorithm was triggered, turning on the motors on the tap, "he said on the air of the Russia 24 TV channel .

"This, of course, should not have happened. The commission is now examining the reasons for this," Krikalev added.

The module was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on July 21 by a Proton-M carrier rocket and on July 29 moored to the Zvezda module of the ISS Russian segment. The crew opened the hatch to the module on 30 July.

Three hours after docking, the engines spontaneously turned on on the Nauka, which led to a turn of the station by 540 degrees. To return the ISS to the desired position in space, the engines of the Zvezda module and the Progress MS-17 cargo vehicle were used. There was no threat to the station's crew.

 
"Roskosmos": a bolt that took off could remain in the "Science" module after assembly operations on Earth.

10:31 08/04/2021 (updated: 08/04/2021 12:13 PM)

MOSCOW, August 4 - RIA Novosti. Bolt, departing from the multifunctional laboratory module (MLM) "science" is not able to do much harm to the ISS , said the executive director of " Roscosmos " Sergei Krikalev in the air "channel Russia 24 ".

Earlier, the Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky told the mission control center near Moscow that everything is in order in Nauka and there is no dust, but a bolt flew out of the module when the hatch was opened.

"This does not pose any danger. The station is made in such a way that some foreign objects do not lead to something jamming," he said.

According to him, all the necessary parts are in place, and this bolt could remain in the module after assembly operations on Earth.

The chief executive added that the bolt's visual and design experts will determine where it comes from and what it's intended for.

Krikalev spoke about similar cases that happened before. In some modules at the station, they found shavings that remained after machining in the shops and which on Earth was almost impossible to recognize, and in zero gravity it "floated up". With such a phenomenon, according to Krikalev, they learned to fight, and now the modules are thoroughly cleaned before being sent to the ISS.

Nauka was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on July 21, and on July 29 it docked at the Zvezda module of the ISS Russian segment. The crew opened the hatch to the module on 30 July.

 
A glitch inadvertently caused by when they nearly switched over to manual control for the docking, perhaps?
 
View: https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1424784509107593223


NASA ISS program manager Joel Montalbano says it’s a “little too early” to set a timeline for the investigation into the Nauka thruster firings that caused the station to lose attitude control July 29. NASA is in “regular communications” with Russian colleagues on this.
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1424785211158585352

At #NG16 pre-launch
@Jeff_Foust
asked Joel Montalbano about status of investigation into what went wrong w/the Nauka misfire. Montalbano says he has set up a team, and Russians have set up a commission, and they talk regularly. May have more to say in 2-3 weeks.
 
The cosmonaut told who can be the first to move into the "Science" module on the ISS

08/11/2021 20:30

Crew members of the Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft, which includes cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, actress Yulia Peresild and director Klim Shipenko, may become the first residents of the new cabin of the ISS Russian segment located in the Nauka module. Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Artemiev told TASS about it.

“It is quite possible that someone from the crew that will fly on October 5, 2021 (Anton Shkaplerov, Klim Shipenko and Yulia Peresild) will live there. The cabin will finally become habitable, ”said Artemyev .

According to the cosmonaut, Oleg Novitsky and Petr Dubrov are preparing "Science" for the accommodation of future members of the expeditions to the station. “They dismantle the cargo, retrofit the module, equip it, make it cozy and comfortable,” he added.

The main crew of the Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft includes Shkaplerov, Peresild and Shipenko, the backup crew includes cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev, actress Alena Mordovina and cameraman Alexei Dudin. They will shoot the first feature film on the ISS, most of which will take place in the Science module. The space drama with the tentative title "Challenge" is a joint project of Roscosmos, Channel One and the studio Yellow, Black and White.

The multipurpose laboratory module "Nauka" was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on July 21, and on July 29 it docked to the ISS. The module is intended for the implementation of the Russian program of scientific and applied research and experiments. After its commissioning, the Russian segment will receive additional volumes for the arrangement of workplaces and storage of goods, placement of equipment for the regeneration of water and oxygen. The module is equipped with a second toilet for the Russian segment, a cabin for the third crew member of the Russian Federation, and the European manipulator ERA, which will allow performing some work without going into outer space.

Source: TASS
August 11, 2021, 01:08

 
Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin says that Russia wants to send its own mission to Venus, in addition to an already-proposed joint venture with the United States called "Venera-D." "We think that Venus is a Russian planet, so we shouldn't lag behind," Rogozin, a former deputy prime minister, told reporters on Tuesday.
 
That`s hilarious to hear that. Russian space agency is so weak that it makes less launches than Space X per year. I don`t even mention about the space technology they have. And now they are claiming that Russia wants to send its own mission to Venus. The chief of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin doesn`t wanna stop making funny statements.
 
Ruskies have a rich history with exploring Venus. I think its neat.
 
View: https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1428605746892222465
Flight ST34 now scheduled on August 21

The investigations on the ground equipment at the origin of the interruption of the automatic launch sequence being completed, and the anomaly having been identified and corrected, the new launch date for Soyuz Flight ST34 is August 21, 2021:

> 06:18 p.m., in Washington, D.C., on August 20,
> 10:18 p.m., Universal Time (UTC), on August 20,
> 00:18 a.m., in Paris,
> 01:18 a.m., in Moscow,
> 03:18 a.m., Baïkonur Cosmodrome
The Soyuz launch vehicle and the 34 spacecraft OneWeb are in stable and safe conditions.
 
Today we have opened a window of the #Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module!

Soon there will be photos of the Earth from a new angle from the Russian segment of the @Space_Station.

View: https://twitter.com/novitskiy_iss/status/1429118413549580288

View: https://twitter.com/novitskiy_iss/status/1429340461454462977


date=1629710895]

Another short video of how we opened the window of the #Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module, as well as fascinating views of the Earth.

Do you recognize these places? Our journey begins!

View: https://twitter.com/novitskiy_iss/status/1429720712865009666
 

The Progress M-UM transport cargo module with the Prichal node module was delivered to the assembly and test building at the Baikonur Cosmodrome to continue the program of assembly and prelaunch testing at the technical complex.

This morning, August 11, 2021, the Progress M-UM spacecraft was unloaded and moved to the assembly and test building of pad 254. In Hall 104 specialists of S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia (part of Roskosmos State Corporation) completed installation of the instrument and equipment compartment and the Prichal module on workstations, and then proceeded to assemble and deploy the ground facilities of the automated test system of the technical complex. As part of the spacecraft incoming inspection procedure, an external inspection of the instrument and equipment compartment and inspection of the mechanisms for opening the solar panels of Progress M-UM spacecraft were also conducted.

Universal node module Prichal, developed and produced by S.P. Korolev RSC Energia, is intended to expand the technical and operational capabilities of the Russian segment of the International Space Station. The Prichal is scheduled to be launched into Earth orbit and docked to the nadir node of the multipurpose laboratory module Nauka in November 2021.
 

COLORADO SPRINGS — NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said he remains confident that Russia will remain a part of the International Space Station through the end of the decade but warned of an emerging space race with China.

Speaking on a panel with the heads of seven other space agencies at the 36th Space Symposium here Aug. 25, Nelson said that he didn’t believe media reports out of the Russia from earlier this year that claimed Roscosmos might end its participation on the ISS as soon as the middle of the decade to develop its own station.

“Despite what you read in the press, I think that the cooperation with the Russians, which has been there ever since 1975, will continue,” he said, referring to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission in 1975 when an Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soyuz spacecraft.

As evidence of that, he said, was the docking last month of a new Russian module, called Nauka, with the station. “We expect our Russian partners to continue with us, and we expect to expand the space station as a government project all the way to 2030.”

Nelson has long advocated an extension of the ISS to 2030, although the U.S. Congress has yet to formally authorize such an extension. Any extension of the ISS would require the agreement of the other station partners: Canada, Europe, Japan and Russia.
 
Russian cosmonauts have discovered new cracks in a segment of the International Space Station that could widen, a senior space official said on Monday, the latest in a series of setbacks.


“Superficial fissures have been found in some places on the Zarya module,” Vladimir Solovyov, chief engineer of rocket and space corporation Energia, told RIA news agency. “This is bad and suggests that the fissures will begin to spread over time.”
 
RSC Energia has started the preliminary design of the Russian space station

08/31/2021 02:50

Rocket and Space Corporation Energia has started to create a draft design of the Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS). This was announced in an interview with TASS by the general designer of the enterprise, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Soloviev.

“We have started creating a draft design, funding for which will begin in January 2022,” said Solovyov .
According to the general designer, a preliminary design is being created now: work is underway on the terms of reference, studies are being done.

In April, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said that the state of the ISS leaves much to be desired, so Russia can focus on creating its own orbital station. RSC Energia was tasked with ensuring the readiness of the first module for the new Russian orbital station in 2025; it will be the scientific and energy module, which was previously supposed to be launched to the ISS in 2024.

The Scientific and Technical Council (STC) of Roscosmos recommended including work on the creation of a technical design for a new orbital station in the Federal Space Program - 2025.

Source: TASS
August 30, 2021, 03:20

 
Russia in 2027 may begin construction of a new space station.

General Designer Soloviev: Russia in 2027 may start assembling a new space station.

02:40 08/31/2021

MOSCOW, August 31 - RIA Novosti. In 2027, Russia may start in orbit to assemble a new national space station, while continuing to operate the Russian segment of the ISS for two years , the General Designer of the Rocket and Space Corporation ( RSC ) Energia, flight director of the Russian segment of the ISS, told RIA Novosti in an interview with RIA Novosti . cosmonaut, twice Hero of the Soviet Union Vladimir Soloviev.

"The Angara is being created, but, as my colleagues explain to me, with its help we will be able to launch new modules this year in 2027, when, we hope, the infrastructure at the Vostochny cosmodrome will be ready. That is, we must fly to the ISS until 2028. -2029, in order to close the "junction" between the completion of the ISS and the start of operation of the new station at least two years, "Soloviev said.

The first module will be the Science and Power Module (SEM) intended for the ISS. NEM has been created since 2012. Initially, it was assumed that the module will be produced in 2015 and will ensure the energy independence of the Russian segment of the ISS, which now receives electricity from the American segment. Also, the module is intended for scientific research. However, in 2015, only a draft design was ready. According to open data, the airframe of the NEM module has been assembled since 2017. In 2018, its ground tests began. Module starts are constantly postponed.

Earlier it was reported that the first module of the new Russian space station should be ready for launch in 2025.

It was reported that the station will be designed with an open architecture and an unlimited lifetime due to the replacement of modules, it will be larger than Mir in size, fly in an orbit with an altitude of 400 kilometers and an inclination of 98 degrees, which will allow monitoring the entire surface of the Earth , in the first place beyond the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route.

 

'Divorce is not possible' with US over space station, says Russian space chief who threatened to pull out

Despite threatening to pull Russia out of the International Space Station prematurely, the head of the country's space agency is now promising to remain NASA's partner at least until the orbiting outpost is eventually retired.

"This is a family, where a divorce within a station is not possible," Dmitry Rogozin told CNN in his first interview with western media since becoming Roscosmos' director general.
 

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