The most recent activities in space exploration have predominantly involved Roscosmos, the Russian Space Agency, and a significant launch to the International Space Station (ISS). An exciting development was the launch of Nauka, its largest-ever space laboratory. Simultaneously, another major event saw four astronauts heading towards the ISS from Florida. This mission, known as Crew-2, represents a collaboration between NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Crew Program.
About the International Space Station (ISS)
The ISS is essentially a habitable artificial satellite, distinguished as the largest man-made structure that currently exists in low earth orbit. Participation in its operation is a shared effort among five significant space agencies: NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). The ISS functions as a vast spacecraft that stays in low-earth orbit for extensive periods, serving as a gigantic laboratory. It allows astronauts to stay for months at a time, facilitating the conduction of various experiments in microgravity.
Other Players in the Field
In addition to the ISS, China recently launched an unmanned module called “Tianhe” as part of its permanent space station, slated for completion by the end of 2022. India also has ambitious plans in space exploration and aims to establish its own space station by 2030, thus joining the elite space club alongside the US, Russia, and China.
The Nauka Module: Russia’s Biggest Leap
Nauka, the name of Russia’s latest space lab, translates to ‘Science’. This facility is outfitted with advanced equipment, including an oxygen generator, robotic cargo crane, a toilet, and a bed for Russian astronauts. Nauka was launched into orbit using the Proton rocket, a powerful rocket from Russia’s space inventory. It will take approximately eight days for Nauka to reach the ISS. During this journey, engineers and flight controllers will perform various tests on Nauka while preparing for its arrival at the space station.
Occupying Pirs’ Position
Nauka is set to replace Pirs and will be attached to the crucial Zvezda module, which provides all of the space station’s life support systems and functions as the central part of the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS). Pirs has served as an integral part of the space station since 2001, functioning as a docking port for visiting Russian spacecraft and an airlock for Russian spacewalks.
Role and Significance of Nauka
The addition of Nauka to the ISS will increase its habitable volume by 70 cubic metres. Russian cosmonauts will utilize this extra space for conducting experiments and storing cargo. Nauka will serve multiple purposes, acting as a new science facility, docking port, and spacewalk airlock for future operations. Over the past two decades, research under microgravity conditions has been carried out in various disciplines such as biology, human physiology, physical, material and space science. With the inclusion of the Nauka module, it is expected that this ongoing research will see a significant boost.
