At one time, we abandoned flights to the Moon, but learned to build space houses. The most famous of which was the Mir station, which operated in space not three (as planned), but 15 years.

The Mir orbital space station was a third-generation orbital manned space station. The manned stations of the third generation were distinguished by the presence of a base block BB with six docking nodes, which made it possible to create an entire space complex in orbit.

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OKS WORLD
Dimensions:2100x2010
Type: JPEG Picture
Size: 3.62 MB The Mir station had a number of fundamental features that characterize the new generation of orbital manned complexes. The main one should be called the principle of modularity implemented in it. This applies not only to the entire complex as a whole, but also to its individual parts and on-board systems. The main developer of Mir is RSC Energia named after. S.P. Korolev, developer and manufacturer of the base unit and station modules - GKNPTs im. M.V. Khrunicheva. Over the years of operation, in addition to the base unit, the complex has been equipped with five large modules and a special docking compartment with improved androgynous-type docking units. In 1997, the configuration of the orbital complex was completed. The orbit of the Mir space station had an inclination of 51.6. The first crew delivered to the station spaceship"Soyuz T-15".
Base unit The BB is the first component of the Mir space station. It was assembled in April 1985, and since May 12, 1985 has been subjected to numerous tests on the assembly stand. As a result, the unit has been significantly improved, especially its on-board cable system.

To replace the still flying OKS Salyut-7, it was launched into orbit by the Proton launch vehicle of the tenth OKS Mir (DOS-7) on February 20, 1986. This "foundation" of the station is similar in size and appearance to the orbital stations of the "series" Salyut", as it is based on the Salyut-6 and Salyut-7 projects. At the same time, there were many fundamental differences, which included more powerful solar panels and advanced computers at that time.

The basis was a sealed working compartment with a central control post and communications equipment. Comfort for the crew was provided by two individual cabins and a common wardroom with a work desk and devices for heating water and food. Nearby was located treadmill and a bicycle ergometer. A portable airlock chamber was built into the wall of the housing. On the outer surface of the working compartment there were 2 rotating panels solar panels and a fixed third, mounted by the astronauts during the flight. In front of the working compartment there is a sealed transition compartment that can serve as a gateway for access to outer space. It had five docking ports for connection with transport ships and scientific modules. Behind the working compartment there is a leaky aggregate compartment. It contains a propulsion system with fuel tanks. In the middle of the compartment is a sealed transition chamber ending in a docking unit to which the Kvant module was connected during the flight.

The base module had two engines located in the aft section, which were designed specifically for orbital maneuvers. Each engine was capable of pushing 300 kg. However, after the Kvant-1 module arrived at the station, both engines could not fully function, since the aft port was occupied. Outside the assembly compartment, on a rotating rod, there was a highly directional antenna that provided communication through a relay satellite located in geostationary orbit.

The main purpose of the Basic Module was to provide conditions for the life activities of astronauts on board the station. The astronauts could watch films that were delivered to the station, read books - the station had an extensive library

The 2nd module (astrophysical, “Kvant” or “Kvant-1”) was launched into orbit in April 1987. It was docked on April 9, 1987. Structurally, the module was a single pressurized compartment with two hatches, one of which is a working port for reception of transport ships. Around it there was a complex of astrophysical instruments, mainly for studying X-ray sources inaccessible to observations from Earth. On the outer surface, the astronauts mounted two mounting points for rotating reusable solar panels, as well as a work platform on which large-sized farms were installed. At the end of one of them there was an external propulsion unit (VPU).

The main parameters of the Quantum module are as follows:
Weight, kg 11050
Length, m 5.8
Maximum diameter, m 4.15
Volume under atmospheric pressure, cubic meters. m 40
Area of ​​solar panels, sq. m 1
Output power, kW 6

The Kvant-1 module was divided into two sections: a laboratory filled with air, and equipment placed in an unpressurized airless space. The laboratory room, in turn, was divided into a compartment for instruments and a living compartment, which were separated by an internal partition. The laboratory compartment was connected to the station premises through an airlock chamber. Voltage stabilizers were located in the section that was not filled with air. An astronaut can monitor observations from a room inside a module filled with air at atmospheric pressure. This 11-ton module contained astrophysics instruments, life support and altitude control equipment. Quantum also made it possible to conduct biotechnological experiments in the field of antiviral drugs and fractions.

The complex of scientific equipment of the Roentgen observatory was controlled by teams from the Earth, but the operating mode of the scientific instruments was determined by the peculiarities of the functioning of the Mir station. The station's near-Earth orbit was low-apogee (altitude above the earth's surface about 400 km) and practically circular, with an orbital period of 92 minutes. The orbital plane is inclined to the equator by approximately 52°, so twice during the period the station passed through radiation belts - high-latitude regions where magnetic field The Earth retains charged particles with energies sufficient to be detected by the sensitive detectors of the observatory instruments. Due to the high background they created during the passage of the radiation belts, the complex of scientific instruments was always turned off.

Another feature was the rigid connection of the “Kvant” module with the rest of the blocks of the “Mir” complex (the astrophysical instruments of the module are directed towards the -Y axis). Therefore, pointing scientific instruments to sources of cosmic radiation was carried out by turning the entire station, as a rule, with the help of electromechanical gyrodynes (gyros). However, the station itself must be oriented in a certain way in relation to the Sun (usually the position is maintained with the -X axis towards the Sun, sometimes with the +X axis), otherwise the energy production from solar panels will decrease. In addition, the station's turns at large angles led to irrational consumption of the working fluid, especially in recent years, when the modules docked to the station gave it significant moments of inertia due to its 10-meter length in a cross-shaped configuration.

Therefore, over the years, as the station was replenished with new modules, the observation conditions became more complicated, and then at each moment in time only a strip of the celestial sphere 20o wide along the plane of the station’s orbit was available for observations - such a limitation was imposed by the orientation of the solar panels (it is also necessary to exclude the hemisphere from this strip occupied by the Earth and the region around the Sun). The orbital plane precessed with a period of 2.5 months, and in general only the regions around the north and south poles of the world remained inaccessible to the observatory instruments.

As a result, the duration of one observation session of the Roentgen observatory ranged from 14 to 26 minutes, and one or several sessions were organized per day, and in the second case they followed with an interval of about 90 minutes (on adjacent orbits) pointing at the same source .

In March 1988, the star sensor of the TTM telescope failed, as a result of which information about the pointing of astrophysical instruments during observations ceased to be received. However, this breakdown did not significantly affect the operation of the observatory, since the pointing problem was solved without replacing the sensor. Since all four instruments are rigidly interconnected, the efficiency of the HEXE, PULSAR X-1 and GSPS spectrometers began to be calculated by the location of the source in the field of view of the TTM telescope. The mathematical software for constructing the image and spectra of this device was prepared by young scientists, now doctors of physics and mathematics. Sciences M.R.Gilfanrv and E.M.Churazov. After the launch of the Granat satellite in December 1989, the relay race successful work K.N. was accepted with the TTM device. Borozdin (now Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences) and his group. The joint work of "Granat" and "Kvant" made it possible to significantly increase the efficiency of astrophysical research, since scientific problems of both missions were determined by the High Energy Astrophysics Department.

In November 1989, the operation of the Kvant module was temporarily interrupted for the period of changing the configuration of the Mir station, when two additional modules: "Kvant-2" and "Crystal". Since the end of 1990, regular observations of the Roentgen observatory were resumed, however, due to the increase in the volume of work at the station and more stringent restrictions on its orientation, the average annual number of sessions after 1990 decreased significantly and more than 2 sessions in a row were not carried out, whereas in 1988 - In 1989, up to 8-10 sessions were sometimes organized per day.

Since 1995, work began on processing the project software. Until this time, ground-based processing of scientific data from the Roentgen observatory was carried out at the Institute of Space Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the institute-wide computer EC-1065. Historically, it consisted of two stages: primary (separation of the scientific data module for individual instruments from the “raw” telemetry and their purification) and secondary (processing and analysis of the scientific data itself). The primary processing was carried out by the department of R.R. Nazirov (in recent years, the main work in this direction was carried out by A.N. Ananenkova), and the secondary processing was carried out by a group on individual instruments from the department of High Energy Astrophysics.

However, by 1995, there was a need to switch to a more modern, reliable and productive computer technology- SUN-Sparc workstations. In a relatively short period of time, the project's scientific data archive was copied from magnetic tapes to hard drives. The software for secondary data processing was written in FORTRAN-77, so its transfer to the new operating environment required only minor corrections and also did not take too much time. However, some of the programs for primary processing were in the PL language and, for various reasons, could not be transferred. This led to the fact that by 1998 the initial processing of new sessions became impossible. Finally, in the fall of 1998, a unit was re-created that processed the “raw” telemetric information coming from the KVANT module and carried out the separation primary information on various instruments, preliminary cleaning and sorting of scientific data. Since that time, the entire cycle of data processing from the RENTGEN observatory has been carried out in the Department of High Energy Astrophysics on a modern computer base - IBM-PC and SUN-Sparc workstations. The modernization carried out made it possible to significantly increase the efficiency of processing incoming scientific data.

Module “Kvant-2”

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Module Kvant-2
Dimensions:2691x1800
Type: GIF Figure
Size: 106 KB The 3rd module (retrofit, “Kvant-2”) was launched into orbit by the Proton launch vehicle on November 26, 1989 13:01:41 (UTC) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, from launch complex No. 200L. This block is also called the retrofitting module; it contains a significant amount of equipment necessary for the station’s life support systems and creating additional comfort for its inhabitants. The airlock compartment is used as spacesuit storage and as a hangar for the astronaut's autonomous means of transportation.

The spacecraft was launched into orbit with the following parameters:

circulation period - 89.3 minutes;
minimum distance from the Earth's surface (at perigee) - 221 km;
maximum distance from the Earth's surface (at apogee) - 339 km.

On December 6, it was docked to the axial docking unit of the transition compartment of the base unit, then, using a manipulator, the module was transferred to the side docking unit of the transition compartment.

Intended to retrofit the Mir station with life support systems for astronauts and increase the power supply of the orbital complex. The module was equipped with motion control systems using power gyroscopes, power supply systems, new installations for oxygen production and water regeneration, and instruments household use, retrofitting the station with scientific equipment, equipment and providing crew spacewalks, as well as for conducting a variety of scientific research and experiments. The module consisted of three sealed compartments: instrument-cargo, instrument-scientific, and a special airlock with an outward-opening exit hatch with a diameter of 1000 mm.

The module had one active docking unit installed along its longitudinal axis on the instrument and cargo compartment. The Kvant-2 module and all subsequent modules were docked to the axial docking unit of the transition compartment of the base unit (-X axis), then using a manipulator the module was transferred to the side docking unit of the transition compartment. The standard position of the Kvant-2 module as part of the Mir station is the Y axis.

:
Registration number 1989-093A/20335
Start date and time (universal time) 13h.01m.41s. 11/26/1989
Launch vehicle Proton-K Vehicle mass (kg) 19050
The module is also designed for conducting biological research.

Module “Crystal”

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Crystal module
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Size: 88.8 KB The 4th module (docking and technological, “Crystal”) was launched on May 31, 1990 at 10:33:20 (UTC) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, launch complex No. 200L, by the Proton 8K82K launch vehicle. With accelerating block"DM2". The module housed primarily scientific and technological equipment for studying the processes of obtaining new materials under conditions of weightlessness (microgravity). In addition, two nodes of the androgynous-peripheral type are installed, one of which is connected to the docking compartment, and the other is free. On the outer surface there are two rotating reusable solar batteries (both will be transferred to the Kvant module).

SC type "TsM-T 77KST", ser. No. 17201 was launched into orbit with the following parameters:
orbital inclination - 51.6 degrees;
circulation period - 92.4 minutes;
minimum distance from the Earth's surface (at perigee) - 388 km;
maximum distance from the Earth's surface (at apogee) - 397 km

On June 10, 1990, on the second attempt, Kristall was docked with Mir (the first attempt failed due to the failure of one of the module’s orientation engines). The docking, as before, was carried out to the axial node of the transition compartment, after which the module was transferred to one of the side nodes using its own manipulator.

During the work on the Mir-Shuttle program, this module, which has a peripheral docking unit of the APAS type, was again moved to the axial unit using a manipulator, and solar panels were removed from its body.

The Soviet space shuttles of the Buran family were supposed to dock with the Kristall, but work on them had already been practically curtailed by that time.

The "Crystal" module was intended to test new technologies and obtain construction materials, semiconductors and biological products with improved properties. The androgynous docking port on the Crystal module was intended for docking with reusable ships type "Buran" and "Shuttle", equipped with androgynous-peripheral docking units. In June 1995, it was used to dock with the USS Atlantis. The docking and technological module "Crystal" was a single sealed compartment of large volume with equipment. on his outer surface remote control units, fuel tanks, battery panels with autonomous orientation to the sun, as well as various antennas and sensors were placed. The module was also used as a cargo supply ship to deliver fuel, consumables and equipment into orbit.

The module consisted of two sealed compartments: instrument-cargo and transition-docking. The module had three docking units: an axial active one - on the instrument-cargo compartment and two androgynous-peripheral types - on the transition-docking compartment (axial and lateral). Until May 27, 1995, the "Crystal" module was located on the side docking unit intended for the "Spectrum" module (-Y axis). Then it was transferred to the axial docking unit (-X axis) and on 05/30/1995 moved to its regular place (-Z axis). On 06/10/1995 it was again transferred to the axial unit (-X axis) to ensure docking with the American spacecraft Atlantis STS-71, on 07/17/1995 it was returned to its normal position (-Z axis).

Brief characteristics of the module
Registration number 1990-048A / 20635
Start date and time (universal time) 10:33:20. 05/31/1990
Launch site Baikonur, site 200L
Proton-K launch vehicle
Ship weight (kg) 18720

Module “Spectrum”

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Module Spectrum
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Size: 63.0 KB The 5th module (geophysical, “Spectrum”) was launched on May 20, 1995. The module’s equipment made it possible to conduct environmental monitoring of the atmosphere, ocean, earth’s surface, medical and biological research, etc. To bring experimental samples to the outer surface, it was planned to install a Pelican copying manipulator, working in conjunction with an airlock chamber. 4 rotating solar panels were installed on the surface of the module.

"SPECTRUM", a research module, was a single sealed compartment of large volume with equipment. On its outer surface there were remote control units, fuel tanks, four battery panels with autonomous orientation to the sun, antennas and sensors.

Manufacturing of the module, which began in 1987, was practically completed (without installing equipment intended for Department of Defense programs) by the end of 1991. However, since March 1992, due to the onset of the economic crisis, the module was “mothballed.”

To complete work on Spectrum in mid-1993, the State Research and Production Space Center named after M.V. Khrunichev and RSC Energia named after S.P. Korolev came up with a proposal to re-equip the module and turned to their foreign partners for this. As a result of negotiations with NASA, a decision was quickly made to install American medical equipment, used in the Mir-Shuttle program, as well as its retrofitting with a second pair of solar panels. At the same time, according to the terms of the contract, the completion, preparation and launch of the Spectrum had to be completed before the first docking of the Mir and the Shuttle in the summer of 1995.

Tight deadlines required the specialists of the M.V. Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center to work hard to correct design documentation, manufacture batteries and spacers for their placement, carry out the necessary strength tests, install US equipment and repeat comprehensive module checks. At the same time, RSC Energia specialists were preparing new equipment at Baikonur workplace in the MIC of the Buran orbital ship on site 254.

On May 26, on the first attempt, it was docked with the Mir, and then, similar to its predecessors, it was transferred from the axial to the side node, vacated for it by the Kristall.

The "Spectrum" module was intended to conduct research on the Earth's natural resources, upper layers the earth's atmosphere, the orbital complex's own external atmosphere, geophysical processes of natural and artificial origin in near-Earth space and in the upper layers of the earth's atmosphere, to conduct medical and biological research under the joint Russian-American programs "Mir-Shuttle" and "Mir-NASA", to equip the station with additional sources of electricity.

In addition to the listed tasks, the Spektr module was used as a cargo supply ship and delivered fuel reserves, consumables and additional equipment to the Mir orbital complex. The module consisted of two compartments: a sealed instrument-cargo compartment and an unsealed one, on which two main and two additional solar panels and scientific equipment were installed. The module had one active docking unit located along its longitudinal axis on the instrument and cargo compartment. The standard position of the Spektr module as part of the Mir station is the -Y axis. On June 25, 1997, as a result of a collision with the Progress M-34 cargo ship, the Spektr module was depressurized and, practically, “switched off” from the complex’s operation. The unmanned Progress spacecraft went off course and crashed into the Spektr module. The station lost its seal, and the Spectra's solar panels were partially destroyed. The team managed to seal the Spectrum by closing the hatch leading into it before the pressure at the station dropped to critically low levels. The internal volume of the module was isolated from the living compartment.

Brief characteristics of the module
Registration number 1995-024A / 23579
Start date and time (universal time) 03h.33m.22s. 05/20/1995
Proton-K launch vehicle
Ship weight (kg) 17840

Module “Nature”

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Nature module
Dimensions: 1054x986
Type: GIF Figure
Size: 50.4 KB The 7th module (scientific, “Priroda”) was launched into orbit on April 23, 1996 and docked on April 26, 1996. This block contains high-precision observation instruments for the earth’s surface in different ranges spectrum The module also included about a ton of American equipment for studying human behavior during long-term space flight.

Launching the "Nature" module completed the assembly of OK "Mir".

The "Nature" module was intended to conduct scientific research and experiments on the study of the Earth's natural resources, the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere, cosmic radiation, geophysical processes of natural and artificial origin in near-Earth space and the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere.

The module consisted of one sealed instrument and cargo compartment. The module had one active docking unit located along its longitudinal axis. The standard position of the "Nature" module as part of the "Mir" station is the Z axis.

On board the Priroda module, equipment was installed for studying the Earth from space and experiments in the field of materials science. Its main difference from other “cubes” from which “Mir” was built is that “Priroda” was not equipped with its own solar panels. The research module "Nature" was a single sealed compartment of large volume with equipment. On its outer surface there were remote control units, fuel tanks, antennas and sensors. It had no solar panels and used 168 lithium power sources installed internally.

During its creation, the Nature module also underwent significant changes, especially in equipment. It was equipped with instruments from a number of foreign countries, which, under the terms of a number of concluded contracts, quite strictly limited the time frame for its preparation and launch.

At the beginning of 1996, the Priroda module arrived at site 254 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. His intensive four-month pre-launch preparation was not easy. Particularly difficult was the work of finding and eliminating leaks in one of the lithium batteries module capable of highlighting very harmful gases(sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride). There were also a number of other comments. All of them were eliminated and on April 23, 1996, with the help of Proton-K, the module was successfully launched into orbit.

Before docking with the Mir complex, a failure occurred in the module’s power supply system, depriving it of half its power supply. The inability to recharge the onboard batteries due to the lack of solar panels significantly complicated the docking, giving only one chance to complete it. However, on April 26, 1996, on the first attempt, the module was successfully docked with the complex and, after redocking, occupied the last free side node on the transition compartment of the base unit.

After docking the Priroda module, the Mir orbital complex acquired its full configuration. Its formation, of course, moved more slowly than desired (the launches of the base unit and the fifth module are separated by almost 10 years). But all this time, intensive work was going on on board in manned mode, and the Mir itself was systematically “retrofitted” with smaller elements - trusses, additional batteries, remote controls and various scientific instruments, the delivery of which was successfully ensured by Progress-class cargo ships. .

Brief characteristics of the module
Registration number 1996-023A / 23848
Start date and time (universal time) 11h.48m.50s. 04/23/1996
Launch site Baikonur, site 81L
Proton-K launch vehicle
Ship weight (kg) 18630

Docking module

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Docking Module
Dimensions: 1234x1063
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Size: 47.6 KB The 6th module (docking) was docked on November 15, 1995. This relatively small module was created specifically for docking the Atlantis spacecraft, and was delivered to Mir by the American Space Shuttle.

Docking compartment (SD) (316GK) - was intended to ensure the docking of the Shuttle series MTKS with the Mir spacecraft. The CO was a cylindrical structure with a diameter of about 2.9 m and a length of about 5 m and was equipped with systems that made it possible to ensure the work of the crew and monitor its condition, in particular: support systems temperature regime, television, telemetry, automation, lighting. The space inside the CO allowed the crew to work and place equipment during the delivery of CO to the Mir spacecraft. Additional solar batteries were attached to the surface of the CO, which, after docking it with the Mir spacecraft, were transferred by the crew to the Kvant module, means of capturing CO by the MTKS manipulator of the Shuttle series, and means of ensuring docking. The CO was delivered into the orbit of the MTKS Atlantis (STS-74) and, using its own manipulator and the axial androgynous peripheral docking unit (APAS-2), was docked to the docking unit on the airlock chamber of the MTKS Atlantis, and then, the latter, together with The CO was docked to the docking assembly of the Crystal module (-Z axis) using the androgynous peripheral docking assembly (APAS-1). SO 316GK seemed to extend the “Crystal” module, which made it possible to dock the American MTKS series with the “Mir” spacecraft without redocking the “Crystal” module to the axial docking unit of the base unit (the “-X” axis). power supply for all CO systems was provided from the Mir spacecraft through connectors in the APAS-1 unit.

On March 23, the station was deorbited. At 05:23 Moscow time, the Mir engines were given the order to slow down. At around 6 a.m. GMT, Mir entered the atmosphere several thousand kilometers east of Australia. Most of the 140-ton structure burned up upon re-entry. Only fragments of the station reached the ground. Some were comparable in size to a compact car. The fragments of the Mir fell into the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and Chile. About 1,500 pieces of debris splashed down in an area covering several thousand square kilometers - in a kind of graveyard for Russian spaceships. Since 1978, 85 orbital structures have ended their existence in this region, including several space stations.

Passengers on two planes witnessed the fall of hot debris into the ocean waters. Tickets for these unique flights cost up to 10 thousand dollars. Among the spectators were several Russian and American cosmonauts who had previously visited Mir.

We know so little about space, about how many unknown secrets it holds. No one can even approximately comprehend the secrets of the Universe. Although humanity is gradually moving towards this. Since ancient times, people have wanted to understand what is happening in space, what objects, besides our planet, are in the solar system, and how to unravel the secrets that they keep. The many mysteries that the distant world hides have led scientists to begin to think about how a person can go into space to study it.

This is how the first orbital station appeared. And behind it are many other, more complex and multifunctional research objects aimed at conquering outer space.

What is an orbital station?

This is extremely complex installation, designed to send researchers and scientists into space to conduct experiments. It is located in Earth orbit, from where it is convenient for scientists to observe the atmosphere and surface of the planet and conduct other research. Artificial satellites have similar goals, but they are controlled from the Earth, that is, there is no crew there.

From time to time, crew members on the orbital station are replaced by new ones, but this happens extremely rarely due to the costs of transportation in space. In addition, ships are periodically sent there to transport the necessary equipment, material support and provisions for the astronauts.

Which countries have their own orbital station?

As noted above, creating and testing installations of such complexity is a very lengthy and costly process. It requires not only serious funds, but also scientists capable of coping with such tasks. Therefore, only major world powers can afford to develop, launch and maintain such devices.

The USA, Europe (ESA), Japan, China and Russia have orbital stations. At the end of the twentieth century, the above states united to create the International Space Station. Some other developed countries are also taking part in this.

Mir station

One of the most successful projects for the construction of space equipment is the Mir station, manufactured in the USSR. It was launched in 1986 (previously, design and construction took more than ten years) and continued to function until 2001. The Mir orbital station was created literally piece by piece. Despite the fact that its launch date is considered to be 1986, then only the first part was launched; over the past ten years, six more blocks have been sent into orbit. The Mir orbital station was put into operation for many years, but its sinking took place much later than planned.

Provisions and other consumables were delivered to the orbital station using Progress transport ships. During the existence of the Mir, four similar ships were created. For the station to Earth, there also existed their own special installations - ballistic missiles called “Rainbow”. In total, more than a hundred astronauts visited the station during its existence. The longest stay on it was for a Russian cosmonaut.

Flooding

In the 90s of the last century, multiple problems began at the station, and it was decided to stop research. This is because it lasted much longer than its intended lifespan; it was originally supposed to last for about ten years. In the year of the sinking of the Mir orbital station (2001), it was decided to send it to southern region Pacific Ocean.

Causes of flooding

In January 2001, Russia decided to flood the station. The enterprise became unprofitable, the constant need for repairs, too expensive maintenance and accidents took their toll. Several projects for its re-equipment have also been proposed. The Mir orbital station was valuable to Tehran, which was interested in tracking movements and missile launches. In addition, questions were raised about significant reductions that would have to be eliminated. Despite this, in 2001 (the year of the sinking of the Mir orbital station), it was liquidated.

International Space Station

The ISS orbital station is a complex created by several states. Fifteen countries are developing it to one degree or another. The first talk about creating such a project came back in 1984, when the American government, together with several other states (Canada, Japan), decided to create a super-powerful orbital station. After the start of development, when a complex called “Freedom” was being prepared, it became clear that spending on space program too big for state budget. Therefore, the Americans decided to seek support from other countries.

First of all, they, of course, turned to a country that already had experience in conquering outer space - the USSR, where there were similar problems: lack of funding, too expensive implementation of projects. Therefore, cooperation between several states turned out to be a completely reasonable solution.

Agreement and launch

In 1992, an agreement on joint space exploration was signed between the United States and Russia. Since this time, countries have been organizing joint expeditions and exchanging experiences. Six years later, the first element of the ISS was sent into space. Today it consists of many modules, to which it is planned to gradually connect several more.

ISS modules

The ISS includes three research modules. These are the American Destiny laboratory, which was created in 2001, the Columbus center, founded by European researchers in 2008, and Kibo, a Japanese module delivered into orbit the same year. The Japanese research module was the last to be installed on the ISS. It was sent piece by piece into orbit, where it was mounted.

Russia does not have its own full-fledged research module. But there are similar devices - “Search” and “Rassvet”. These are small research modules, which in their functions are slightly less developed in comparison with devices from other countries, but are not particularly inferior to them. In addition, a multifunctional station called “Science” is currently being developed in Russia. It is planned to be launched in 2017.

"Firework"

The Salyut orbital station is a long-term project of the USSR. There were several such stations, all of them were manned and intended to implement the civilian DOS program. This first Russian orbital station was launched into low-Earth orbit in 1975 using a Proton rocket.

In the 1960s, the first designs for an orbital station were created. By this time, the Proton rocket already existed for transportation. Since the creation of such a complex device was new to the scientific minds of the USSR, work proceeded extremely slowly. A number of problems arose in the process. Therefore, it was decided to use the developments created for the Soyuz. All Salyuts were very similar in design. The main and largest compartment was the worker.

"Tiangong-1"

The Chinese orbital station was launched quite recently - in 2011. It has not yet been fully developed; its construction will continue until 2020. As a result, it is planned to build a very powerful station. Translated, the word "tiangong" means "heavenly palace." The weight of the device is approximately 8500 kg. Today the station consists of two compartments.

Since the Chinese space industry plans to launch next-generation stations in the near future, the tasks of Tiangong-1 are extremely simple. The main goals of the program are to practice docking with Shenzhou-type spacecraft that are currently delivering cargo to the station, to debug existing modules and devices, modify them if necessary, and to create normal conditions for long-term stays of astronauts in orbit. Next stations made in China will already have a wider range of goals and capabilities.

"Skylab"

The only American orbital station was launched into orbit in 1973. It aimed to conduct research covering a variety of aspects. Skylab conducted technological, astrophysical and biological research. There were three long-term expeditions at this station; it existed until 1979, after which it collapsed.

Skylab and Tiangong had similar missions. Since it was just beginning, the Skylab crew had to explore how the process of human adaptation in space takes place and conduct some scientific experiments.

The first Skylab expedition lasted only 28 days. The first cosmonauts repaired some damaged parts and practically did not have time to conduct research. During the second expedition, which lasted 59 days, a heat-insulating screen was installed and the hydroscopes were replaced. The third expedition aboard Skylab lasted 84 days, and a number of studies were carried out.

After the completion of three expeditions, several options were proposed for what could be done with the station in the future, but due to the impossibility of transporting it to a longer orbit, it was decided to destroy Skylab. Which is what happened in 1979. Some of the wreckage of the station was preserved and is now on display in museums.

Genesis

In addition to the above, on this moment There are two more uncrewed stations in orbit - inflatable Genesis I and Genesis II, which were created private company, engaged in space tourism. They were launched in 2006 and 2007 respectively. These stations are not aimed at space exploration. Their main distinguishing ability is that, once folded in orbit, they begin to expand significantly in size when unfolded.

The second model of the module is better equipped with the necessary sensors, as well as 22 video surveillance cameras. Under the project, organized by the company that created the ship, anyone could send a small item on the second module for 295 US dollars. There is also a bingo machine on board the Genesis II.

Results

Many boys in childhood wanted to become astronauts, although few of them understood how difficult and dangerous this profession was. In the USSR, the space industry aroused pride in every patriot. The achievements of Soviet scientists in this area are incredible. They are very important and noteworthy because these researchers were pioneers in their field, they had to create everything themselves. stations were a breakthrough. They opened a new era of conquest of the Universe. Many astronauts who were sent into low-Earth orbit managed to reach incredible heights and contributed to space exploration by discovering its secrets.

Although the history of astronautics goes back only a few decades, it has already gone through a number of important stages. The exploration of near-Earth space began with short (lasting, as a rule, several days) expeditions on standard spacecraft. The astronauts who piloted them made many important observations and discoveries. But at a certain stage, these short shuttle flights beyond the atmosphere ceased to satisfy science. The spaceships had small in size and had many specific features that did not allow them to be used for long-term serious scientific research. To get a foot in space, the cosmonauts had to be accommodated here with at least minimal amenities and have a lot of various scientific equipment at hand. The first orbital stations became such a space home and at the same time a space laboratory. Their appearance was an important milestone in the history of manned flights: with them, the heroic era of pioneers was replaced by the time of everyday life and difficult everyday work.

What is an orbital station? In a sense, it can be considered a large spaceship. The same stringent requirements are imposed on its reliability. The same life support systems function here as in spaceships. But the station also has its own characteristics. It is not intended to return to Earth. As a rule, it does not even have its own propulsion system, since its orbit is corrected using the engines of the transport ship. But it has much more scientific equipment, it is more spacious and comfortable than a ship. Astronauts come here for a long time - several weeks or even months. During this time, the station becomes their space home, and in order to maintain good performance throughout the flight, they must feel comfortable and calm in it.

The first orbital space station in history was the Soviet Salyut, launched into orbit on April 19, 1971. On June 30 of the same year, the Soyuz-11 spacecraft with cosmonauts Dobrovolsky, Volkov and Panaev docked at the station. The first (and only) watch lasted 24 days. Then, for some time, Salyut was in automatic unmanned mode, until the station ended its existence on November 11, burning up in dense layers of the atmosphere.

The first Salyut was followed by a second, then a third, and so on. Over the course of ten years, a whole family of orbital stations operated in space one after another. Dozens of crews conducted many scientific experiments on them. All Salyuts were multi-purpose space research laboratories for long-term research with a rotating crew. In the absence of astronauts, all station systems were controlled from Earth. For this purpose, small-sized computers were used, in the memory of which standard flight operations control programs were stored. The total length of the station was 20 meters, and the volume was 100 cubic meters. The mass of the Salyut without the transport ship is 18900 kg.

Inside, the station was divided into three compartments, two of which—transitional and working—were sealed, and the third unit was non-sealed. Both hermetic compartments were habitable. The transition compartment was made in the form of a cylinder with a diameter of 2 m and a length of 3 m. It included a docking unit. A bulkhead with a transition hatch separated it from the working compartment, which was a comfortable laboratory, suitable for relaxation and long-term scientific work. The main part of the research equipment was located here, as well as station control devices and units, a life support system, power supply and radio communication devices. The compartment had 15 portholes and consisted of two cylindrical zones connected by a conical part. The small cylinder had a diameter of 2.9 m with a length of 3.8 m, and the large cylinder had a diameter of 4.15 m and a length of 4.1 m. The width of the conical part was 1.2 m. The astronauts spent most of their time in the working compartment : worked, exercised, ate and rested.

A table for eating was located in the small diameter area. A tank with drinking water was also fixed here. (The water in the containers was preserved by adding silver ions; each astronaut used an individual mouthpiece attached to a hose to drink.) A food warmer was located nearby. In this area, items necessary for astronauts to spend their leisure time were stored: a library, a sketchbook, a tape recorder and tapes for it. In the zone large diameter sleeping places were located on the starboard and left sides. They had devices that allowed the body to be fixed in any position. There were also refrigerators with food supplies and water tanks. At the back of this area was a toilet. It was separated from the rest of the working compartment and had forced ventilation. A special sewage disposal device was used to remove liquid and solid waste. There was no washbasin or shower at the first Salyut. The toilet consisted of wiping the face and body with special sanitary napkins and towels. In the conical part there was a complex of means for performing physical exercises and medical research, in particular a treadmill. While performing physical exercises, the astronauts wore special suits that did not allow the smell of sweat to spread.

Facilities manual control and control of the main systems and scientific equipment of the station were located at seven posts. There were four posts in the small diameter zone. One of them is the central control station of the station. It was designed for simultaneous work by two people. There were two chairs, in front of which the control panel was located. From here it was possible to control the engines and the station's attitude control system. At the six remaining posts it was possible to conduct observations and research. The station housed a lot of different equipment, including the large-sized Orion telescope and the Anna-Sh gamma-ray telescope (for studying cosmic gamma rays).

Behind the working compartment there was a non-working unit. It housed propulsion systems, antennas for radio communication systems, a thermal control system, and a television camera. Radio communication with the Earth on the first Salyut was maintained mainly by telephone. There was also a television system, but it required a lot of energy. The power supply system included solar and battery batteries. The first ones were rigidly fixed to the station body and, in order for the sun's rays to be perpendicular to their plane, required a special orientation to the sun. The nickel-cadmium battery worked together with the solar battery in the “charge-discharge” mode, since about 40% of the time during each orbit the station was in the shadow of the Earth. In addition, the Salyut had a backup battery in case of powerful and long-lasting energy releases.

The thermal control system consisted of independent liquid cooling and heating circuits, which had internal and external highway. Excess heat, if necessary, was radiated into space by a radiator-cooler. If, on the contrary, it was necessary to supply heat to the station, then it was removed from the radiator-heater to sunny side. Thus, the temperature in the living compartments was maintained within 15-25 degrees. The life support system maintained the necessary gas composition, absorbed odors and dust, provided the crew with food and water, and removed waste products. The supply of oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide occurred in the regenerator blocks. At the same time, the air passing through a highly active Chemical substance, was enriched with oxygen and freed from carbon dioxide, and by passing fans through filters, it was cleaned of dust and debris. Gas analyzers were placed in different places of the station, which constantly monitored the gas composition.

Following the USSR, the USA launched its orbital station into space. On May 14, 1973, their Skylab station was launched into orbit. The basis for it was the third stage of the Saturn 5 rocket, which was used in previous lunar expeditions to accelerate the Apollo spacecraft to the second escape velocity. The large hydrogen tank was converted into utility rooms and a laboratory, and the smaller oxygen tank was converted into a waste collection container.

"Skylab" included the station itself, an airlock chamber, mooring structure with two docking nodes, two solar panels and a separate set of astronomical instruments (it included eight different devices and a digital Calculating machine). The total length of the station reached 25 m, weight 83 tons, internal free volume 360 ​​cubic meters. To launch it into orbit,7 a powerful Saturn 5 launch vehicle was used, capable of lifting up to 130 tons of payload into low-Earth orbit. Scalelab did not have its own engines for orbit correction. It was carried out using the engines of the Apollo spacecraft. The orientation of the station was changed using three power gyroscopes and micromotors operating on compressed gas. During the operation of Skylab, three crews visited it.

Compared to Salyut, Skylab was much more spacious. The length of the airlock chamber was 5.2 m, and its diameter was 3.2 m. Here, onboard gas reserves (oxygen and nitrogen) were stored in high-pressure cylinders. The station block had a length of 14.6 m with a diameter of 6.6 m. It was divided into laboratory and household sections. The household compartment, in turn, was divided into four rooms for sleeping, for personal hygiene, for training and experiments, for leisure, for preparing and eating food. Their height was 2 m. The sleeping area was divided into three sleeping cabins according to the number of astronauts. Each of them had six small lockers and a sleeping bag. The entrance to each cabin was curtained.

The hygiene room was equipped with a washbasin and a waste receptacle. The washbasin was a closed sphere with two openings for hands, equipped with rubber flaps. There was also a shower here, separated from the rest of the room by a curtain. Drops of water sprayed through the sprayer were then sucked into the collector by a stream of air. Each astronaut had his own personal toiletry cabinet. The room for rest, cooking and eating had a table with burners for heating food, a stove, cabinets and refrigerator cabinets. (The astronauts had a wide variety of frozen foods, including cold cereal, potato salad, and beef tenderloin dishes.) The table was equipped on three sides with three individual taps for drinking water. Each astronaut had his own tray with cells for heating food. The tray's magnets supported the knife and fork. In the same room there were three chairs, a tape recorder and books. A bicycle ergometer was placed in the training and experiment room. The laboratory compartment was twice as large as the domestic one. Its internal diameter was 6.4 m.

It was created on the basis of the Almaz orbital manned military station, which was developed at TsKBM under the leadership of chief designer Vladimir Chelomey.

The resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR on the development and creation of long-term orbital stations was issued on February 16, 1970, and already in February 1971 the station was sent to the cosmodrome.

It consisted of two sealed (transition and working) and one non-sealed (aggregate) compartments. The transition compartment is one of the station’s residential compartments (diameter two meters, length three meters) and was intended for conducting scientific observations and experiments. The compartment's docking unit ensured multiple docking of the station with a transport spacecraft in orbit and the passage of astronauts through the hatch. Equipment for thermal control systems, life support systems, and scientific equipment were installed inside the compartment. Outside there were solar panels, antennas, sensors, thermal control system units, star telescope units, etc. In the working compartment, located in the middle part of the station and consisting of two zones with a diameter of 2.9 and 4.15 meters, a total length of 9.1 meters , the main instruments and units of the station control systems, life support, power supply, radio communication equipment, as well as equipment for scientific research and observations were installed. It was intended to carry out basic flight control operations, scientific research and observations, and for cosmonauts to perform a set of physical exercises, meals, and rest.

Behind the working compartment there was an unpressurized power compartment in which a corrective propulsion system with fuel reserves was located, executive bodies orientation systems, main and backup low-thrust engines, as well as a number of other units and instruments. In total, over 1,300 instruments and units were placed on board the station.

Initially, it was planned to call the long-term orbital station “Zarya,” but upon learning that a flying satellite of China already had the same name, before the launch it was decided to call the station “Salyut.” This name was assigned to all subsequent stations of this type.

The Salyut orbital station was launched into orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by a Proton-K launch vehicle on April 19, 1971. The first expedition to the station (cosmonauts Vladimir Shatalov, Alexey Eliseev and Nikolai Rukavishnikov) on the Soyuz-10 spacecraft launched on April 23, 1971. It was not possible to completely dock with the Salyut - the “coupling” of the ship and the station did not occur until an internal hermetic passage was formed. The crew flew around the station, photographed the docking port and returned to Earth.

Over the next 1.5 months, the station flew in automatic mode; work was carried out to monitor the condition and functioning of onboard systems, raise the orbit, receive and process scientific information, and on Earth, additional ground tests of the docking nodes and a series of intensive astronaut training were carried out.

The second crew, consisting of Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev, launched on June 6, 1971 on the Soyuz-11 spacecraft, successfully docked with Salyut on June 7. The world's first manned orbital station began operating in orbit with the first crew on board.

During the 23-day flight, the cosmonauts carried out astrophysical observations and tests in various operating modes of onboard systems, units and scientific equipment. During the flight, methods and autonomous means of orientation and navigation, and control systems for the space complex during maneuvering in orbit were tested. The cosmonauts carried out visual observations and photographed geological and geographical objects of the earth's surface, atmospheric formations, and meteorological conditions. They also conducted comprehensive biomedical research.

At the end of the test program on June 29, the cosmonauts transferred scientific materials from the station to the transport ship, reactivated its systems, closed the hatches and undocking. On June 30, 1971, the Soyuz-11 spacecraft landed in a given area. But during the descent section of the spacecraft, 30 minutes before landing, there was a rapid drop in pressure in the descent module due to a leak in the airtightness, which led to the death of the astronauts. Because of this, the further flight of the Salyut station took place in unmanned mode. At this time, scientific and technical research and monitoring of the operation of systems, units and scientific equipment under conditions of long-term stay in outer space were systematically carried out on it.

On October 11, 1971, final operations were carried out to lower Salyut from orbit. As a result of braking, the station switched to a descent trajectory, entered the dense layers of the atmosphere above a given area of ​​​​the Pacific Ocean and ceased to exist. The first long-term orbital station was in orbit for 176 days.

The total mass of the Salyut station after docking with the transport ship was equal to 25.6 tons, including the mass of the orbital block - 18.9 tons, the mass of the transport ship - 6.7 tons. The total mass of scientific instruments and instruments weighed over 1.2 tons. The length when docked was 23 meters, the length of the orbital block was 16 meters, the maximum diameter was 4.15 meters, the maximum transverse size of the station based on the opened solar panels was 11 meters, the volume of the sealed compartments was about 100 cubic meters.

The operation of the first DOS "Salyut" revealed a number of its constructive and technical deficiencies, which imposed significant restrictions on the efficiency of using the station and significantly limited its operation time. Therefore, the design of the following stations has been modified and improved.

From 1973 to 1986, six more orbital stations were launched under the name "Salyut" - "Salyut-2" (1973; due to depressurization, it was not operated in manned mode), "Salyut-3" (1974-1975), "Salyut -4" (1974-1977), "Salyut-5" (1976-1977), "Salyut-6" (1977-1982) and "Salyut-7" (1982-1991), on which Soviet and foreign cosmonauts worked. Many different scientific experiments were carried out in space, and the life activity system of astronauts was worked out.

The Salyut design became the basis for the creation of not only long-term orbital stations, but also the Mir orbital complex and the Russian segment of the International Space Station.

The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Briefly about the article: The ISS is humanity's most expensive and ambitious project on the path to space exploration. However, construction of the station is in full swing, and it is still unknown what will happen to it in a couple of years. We talk about the creation of the ISS and plans for its completion.

Space house

International Space Station

You remain in charge. But don't touch anything.

A joke made by Russian cosmonauts about the American Shannon Lucid, which they repeated every time they left the Mir station into outer space (1996).

Back in 1952, the German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun said that humanity would very soon need space stations: Once it goes into space, it will be unstoppable. And for the systematic exploration of the Universe, orbital houses are needed. On April 19, 1971, the Soviet Union launched the first space station in human history, Salyut 1. It was only 15 meters long, and the volume of habitable space was 90 square meters. By today's standards, the pioneers flew into space on unreliable scrap metal stuffed with radio tubes, but then it seemed that there were no more barriers for humans in space. Now, 30 years later, there is only one habitable object hanging over the planet - “International Space Station.”

It is the largest, most advanced, but at the same time the most expensive station among all that have ever been launched. Questions are increasingly being asked: do people need it? Like, what do we really need in space if there are still so many problems on Earth? Perhaps it’s worth figuring out what this ambitious project is?

The roar of the cosmodrome

The International Space Station (ISS) is a joint project of 6 space agencies: Federal space agency(Russia), National Aeronautics and Space Agency (USA), Japan Aerospace Research Office(JAXA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA/ASC), Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and European Space Agency (ESA).

However, not all members of the latter took part in the ISS project - Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal, Austria and Finland refused, and Greece and Luxembourg joined later. In fact, the ISS is based on a synthesis of failed projects - the Russian Mir-2 station and the American Liberty station.

Work on the creation of the ISS began in 1993. The Mir station was launched on February 19, 1986 and had a warranty period of 5 years. In fact, she spent 15 years in orbit - due to the fact that the country simply did not have the money to launch the Mir-2 project. Americans had similar problems - cold war ended, and their station “Freedom”, on the design of which about 20 billion dollars had already been spent, was out of work.

Russia had 25 years of experience working with orbital stations and unique methods for long-term (over a year) human stay in space. In addition, the USSR and the USA had good experience of working together on board the Mir station. In conditions when no country could independently build an expensive orbital station, the ISS became the only alternative.

On March 15, 1993, representatives of the Russian Space Agency and the scientific and production association Energia approached NASA with a proposal to create the ISS. On September 2, a corresponding government agreement was signed, and by November 1, a detailed work plan was prepared. Financial questions interactions (supply of equipment) were decided in the summer of 1994, and 16 countries joined the project.

Go!

The deployment of the ISS was started by Russia on November 20, 1998. The Proton rocket launched the Zarya functional cargo block into orbit, which, along with the American docking module NODE-1, delivered into space on December 5 of the same year by the Endever shuttle, formed the “backbone” of the ISS.

"Zarya"- the successor of the Soviet TKS (transport supply ship), designed to serve the Almaz battle stations. At the first stage of assembling the ISS, it became a source of electricity, an equipment warehouse, a means of navigation and orbit adjustment. All other modules of the ISS now have a more specific specialization, while Zarya is almost universal and in the future will serve as a storage facility (power, fuel, instruments).

Officially, Zarya is owned by the United States - they paid for its creation - but in fact the module was assembled from 1994 to 1998 at the Khrunichev State Space Center. It was included in the ISS instead of the Bus-1 module, designed by the American corporation Lockheed, because it cost 450 million dollars versus 220 million for Zarya.

Zarya has three docking gates - one at each end and one at the side. Its solar panels reach 10.67 meters in length and 3.35 meters in width. In addition, the module has six nickel-cadmium batteries capable of delivering about 3 kilowatts of power (at first there were problems charging them).

Along the outer perimeter of the module there are 16 fuel tanks with a total volume of 6 cubic meters (5700 kilograms of fuel), 24 rotary jet engines big size, 12 small ones, as well as 2 main engines for serious orbital maneuvers. Zarya is capable of autonomous (unmanned) flight for 6 months, but due to delays with the Russian Zvezda service module, it had to fly empty for 2 years.

Unity module(created by the Boeing Corporation) went into space after Zarya in December 1998. Equipped with six docking airlocks, it became the central connection point for subsequent station modules. Unity is vital to the ISS. The working resources of all station modules - oxygen, water and electricity - pass through it. Also installed on “Unity” basic system radio communications, allowing the use of Zarya’s communication capabilities to communicate with the Earth.

Service module “Zvezda”- the main Russian segment of the ISS - launched on July 12, 2000 and docked with Zarya 2 weeks later. Its frame was built back in the 1980s for the Mir-2 project (the design of the Zvezda is very reminiscent of the first Salyut stations, and its design features are similar to the Mir station).

Simply put, this module is housing for astronauts. It is equipped with life support, communications, control, data processing systems, as well as a propulsion system. The total mass of the module is 19,050 kilograms, length is 13.1 meters, the span of solar panels is 29.72 meters.

“Zvezda” has two beds, an exercise bike, a treadmill, a toilet (and other hygienic installations), fridge. External view provide 14 portholes. The Russian electrolytic system “Electron” decomposes waste water. Hydrogen is removed overboard, and oxygen enters the life support system. The “Air” system works in tandem with the “Electron”, absorbing carbon dioxide.

Theoretically, waste water can be purified and reused, but this is rarely practiced on the ISS - fresh water is delivered on board by Progress cargo ships. It must be said that the Electron system malfunctioned several times and the cosmonauts had to use chemical generators - the same “oxygen candles” that once caused a fire at the Mir station.

In February 2001, a laboratory module was attached to the ISS (on one of the Unity gateways) "Destiny"(“Destiny”) is an aluminum cylinder weighing 14.5 tons, 8.5 meters long and 4.3 meters in diameter. It is equipped with five mounting racks with life support systems (each weighs 540 kilograms and can produce electricity, cool water and control air composition), as well as six racks with scientific equipment delivered a little later. The remaining 12 empty installation spaces will be filled over time.

In May 2001, the main airlock compartment of the ISS, the Quest Joint Airlock, was attached to Unity. This six-ton ​​cylinder, measuring 5.5 by 4 meters, is equipped with four high-pressure cylinders (2 - oxygen, 2 - nitrogen) to compensate for the loss of air released outside, and is relatively inexpensive - only 164 million dollars.

Its working space of 34 cubic meters is used for spacewalks, and the size of the airlock allows the use of spacesuits of any type. The fact is that the design of our Orlans assumes their use only in Russian transition compartments, a similar situation with American EMUs.

In this module, astronauts going into space can also rest and breathe pure oxygen to get rid of decompression sickness (with a sharp change in pressure, nitrogen, the amount of which in the tissues of our bodies reaches 1 liter, turns into a gaseous state).

The last of the assembled modules of the ISS is the Russian docking compartment “Pirs” (SO-1). The creation of SO-2 was stopped due to problems with financing, so the ISS now has only one module to which the Soyuz-TMA and Progress spacecraft can be easily docked - and three of them at once. In addition, cosmonauts wearing our spacesuits can go outside from it.

And finally, we cannot help but mention another module of the ISS - the baggage multi-purpose support module. Strictly speaking, there are three of them - “Leonardo”, “Raffaello” and “Donatello” (Renaissance artists, as well as three of the four Ninja Turtles). Each module is an almost equilateral cylinder (4.4 by 4.57 meters) transported on shuttles.

It can store up to 9 tons of cargo (full weight - 4082 kilograms, with a maximum load - 13154 kilograms) - supplies delivered to the ISS and waste removed from it. All the module's luggage is in normal air, so the astronauts can reach it without using spacesuits. The luggage modules were manufactured in Italy by order of NASA and belong to the American segments of the ISS. They are used alternately.

Useful little things

In addition to the main modules, the ISS contains a large number of additional equipment. It is smaller in size than the modules, but without it the operation of the station is impossible.

The working “arms,” or rather the “arm” of the station, is the “Canadarm2” manipulator, mounted on the ISS in April 2001. This high-tech machine, worth $600 million, is capable of moving objects weighing up to 116 tons - for example, assisting in the installation of modules, docking and unloading shuttles (their own “hands” are very similar to “Canadarm2”, only smaller and weaker).

The actual length of the manipulator is 17.6 meters, diameter is 35 centimeters. It is controlled by astronauts from a laboratory module. The most interesting thing is that “Canadarm2” is not fixed in one place and is able to move along the surface of the station, providing access to most of its parts.

Unfortunately, due to differences in connection ports located on the surface of the station, “Canadarm2” cannot move around our modules. In the near future (presumably 2007), it is planned to install ERA (European Robotic Arm) on the Russian segment of the ISS - a shorter and weaker, but more accurate manipulator (positioning accuracy - 3 millimeters), capable of working in semi-automatic mode without constant control by astronauts.

In accordance with the safety requirements of the ISS project, a rescue ship is constantly on duty at the station, capable of delivering the crew to Earth if necessary. Now this function is performed by the good old Soyuz (TMA model) - it is capable of taking 3 people on board and ensuring their vital functions for 3.2 days. “Soyuz” have a short warranty period for staying in orbit, so they are replaced every 6 months.

The workhorses of the ISS are currently the Russian Progresses - siblings of the Soyuz, operating in unmanned mode. During the day, an astronaut consumes about 30 kilograms of cargo (food, water, hygiene products, etc.). Consequently, for a regular six-month duty at the station, one person needs 5.4 tons of supplies. It is impossible to carry so much on the Soyuz, so the station is supplied mainly by shuttles (up to 28 tons of cargo).

After the cessation of their flights, from February 1, 2003 to July 26, 2005, the entire load for the station’s clothing support lay with the Progresses (2.5 tons of load). After unloading the ship, it was filled with waste, undocked automatically and burned up in the atmosphere somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.

Crew: 2 people (as of July 2005), maximum 3

Orbit altitude: From 347.9 km to 354.1 km

Orbital inclination: 51.64 degrees

Daily revolutions around the Earth: 15.73

Distance traveled: About 1.5 billion kilometers

Average speed: 7.69 km/s

Current weight: 183.3 tons

Fuel weight: 3.9 tons

Volume of living space: 425 square meters

average temperature on board: 26.9 degrees Celsius

Estimated completion of construction: 2010

Planned lifespan: 15 years

Complete assembly of the ISS will require 39 shuttle flights and 30 Progress flights. In its finished form, the station will look like this: air space volume - 1200 cubic meters, weight - 419 tons, power supply - 110 kilowatts, total length of the structure - 108.4 meters (modules - 74 meters), crew - 6 people.

At a crossroads

Until 2003, the construction of the ISS continued as usual. Some modules were cancelled, others were delayed, sometimes problems arose with money, faulty equipment - in general, things were difficult, but still, over the 5 years of its existence, the station became inhabited and scientific experiments were periodically carried out on it.

On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia died upon entering the dense layers of the atmosphere. The American manned flight program was suspended for 2.5 years. Considering that the station modules awaiting their turn could only be launched into orbit by shuttles, the very existence of the ISS was under threat.

Fortunately, the US and Russia were able to agree on a redistribution of costs. We took over the provision of cargo to the ISS, and the station itself was switched to standby mode - two cosmonauts were constantly on board to monitor the serviceability of the equipment.

Shuttle launches

After the successful flight of the Discovery shuttle in July-August 2005, there was hope that construction of the station would continue. First in line for launch is the twin of the “Unity” connecting module - “Node 2”. Its preliminary start date is December 2006.

The European scientific module “Columbus” will be the second: launch is scheduled for March 2007. This laboratory is already ready and waiting in the wings - it will need to be attached to “Node 2”. It boasts good anti-meteor protection, a unique apparatus for studying the physics of liquids, as well as a European physiological module (comprehensive medical examination directly on board the station).

Following “Columbus” will be the Japanese laboratory “Kibo” (“Hope”) - its launch is scheduled for September 2007. It is interesting in that it has its own mechanical manipulator, as well as a closed “terrace” where experiments can be carried out in outer space. without actually leaving the ship.

The third connecting module - “Node 3” is scheduled to go to the ISS in May 2008. In July 2009, it is planned to launch a unique rotating centrifuge module CAM (Centrifuge Accommodations Module), on board of which artificial gravity will be created in the range from 0.01 to 2 g. It is designed mainly for scientific research - permanent residence cosmonauts in conditions of gravity, so often described by science fiction writers, are not envisaged.

In March 2009, “Cupola” (“Dome”) will fly to the ISS - an Italian development, which, as its name suggests, is an armored observation dome for visual control of the station’s manipulators. For safety, the windows will be equipped with external shutters to protect against meteorites.

The last module delivered to the ISS by American shuttles will be the “Science and Power Platform” - a massive block of solar batteries on an openwork metal truss. It will provide the station with the energy necessary for the normal functioning of the new modules. It will also feature an ERA mechanical arm.

Launches on Protons

Russian Proton rockets are expected to carry three large modules to the ISS. So far, only a very rough flight schedule is known. Thus, in 2007 it is planned to add to the station our spare functional cargo block (FGB-2 - Zarya’s twin), which will be turned into a multifunctional laboratory.

In the same year, the European robotic arm ERA should be deployed by Proton. And finally, in 2009 it will be necessary to put into operation a Russian research module, functionally similar to the American “Destiny”.

* * *

The ISS is the largest, most expensive and long-term space project in the history of mankind. While the station has not yet been completed, its cost can only be estimated approximately - over 100 billion dollars. Criticism of the ISS most often boils down to the fact that with this money it is possible to carry out hundreds of unmanned scientific expeditions to the planets of the solar system.

There is some truth to such accusations. However, this is a very limited approach. Firstly, it does not take into account the potential profit from the development of new technologies when creating each new module of the ISS - and yet its instruments really cost cutting edge Sciences. Their modifications can be used in everyday life and can bring enormous income.

We must not forget that thanks to the ISS program, humanity has the opportunity to preserve and increase all the precious technologies and skills of manned space flights that were obtained in the second half of the 20th century at an incredible price. In the “space race” of the USSR and the USA, a lot of money was spent, many people died - all this may be in vain if we stop moving in the same direction.