The multifunctional laboratory module “Science” will be able to operate as part of the International Space Station (ISS) until the end of 2027, Interfax reports with reference to Sergey Kuznetsov, general designer of the Salyut KB module developer.
“Before the launch, we carried out a comprehensive examination of the module. Now he has a resource installed by the end of 2027. Therefore, we can work until at least 2027, but in principle we can look into a more distant future, there is a chance to extend the work until 2030, if necessary, ”he said.
The module with the Proton-M launch vehicle was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on July 21. Docking of “Science” with the ISS took place on July 29 at 16:29 Moscow time.
Nauka was supposed to go to the ISS back in 2007, but its launch was postponed due to discovered defects in the fuel system and a number of others. As a result, the module continued to be refined on Earth.
The ISS has been in orbit for almost 22 years. Its first module was the Russian Zvezda, launched in 1998; the station was completed in 2010. 14 countries participate in its work, including the USA, Russia, Canada, the European Union and Japan. The joint maintenance of the ISS until 2025 has now been agreed, and the possibility of extending the operation until 2028 is being discussed.
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