The Russian scientific unit Nauka joined the International Space Station

If the Nauka were primarily a laboratory unit, it would also provide “additional volumes for workstations and cargo storage,” according to the Russian space agency.

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This is the first time in eleven years that a new Russian unit has joined the orbiting laboratory. After an eight-day journey into space and nearly 15 years after initial plans, Russia’s new science module Nauka (“flag” in Russian) docked Thursday, July 29, at the International Space Station (ISS).

His arrival was followed by a temporary problem with the thrusters: after a few hours of docking, the astronauts reported an unexpected ignition of the Nauka’s engines, forcing them to ignite the engines on the Russian part of the International Space Station to compensate for the resulting motion in the orbiting laboratory. . “The thrusters came into action (…) unexpectedly and inadvertently, as the station moved 45 degrees from its position. [initiale] The crew is not in danger.”NASA explained on Twitter (link in english).

“New unit, new perspectives for Russian cosmonauts”, astronaut Evan Wagner was greeted on Twitter. It has a total weight of 20 tons for an internal volume of 70 cubic meters – making it one of the largest on the International Space Station. This module replaces the much smaller Pirs module, which detached from the International Space Station on Monday before being consumed when it reentered Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.

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If the Nauka is primarily a lab unit, it will also save “Additional volumes for workstations and cargo storage, and places for water and oxygen replenishment equipment”According to Roscosmos. He also took with him one of the equipment from the European Space Agency (ESA), the ERA robotic arm, which will be installed outside the unit. able to “Transfer” Along the Russian part of the International Space Station, it will be able to carry up to eight tons of equipment and will especially assist astronauts during their outings outside the vehicles.

Stan Shaw

<p class="sign">"Professional food nerd. Internet scholar. Typical bacon buff. Passionate creator."</p>

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