1. Home
  2. Articles

ISS Russian segment modules

On this page are English computer translations of the International Space Station Russian segment modules descriptions from the Roskosmos website. As that website has been intermittently geoblocked since Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine in 2022, I have stored these translations locally (and there are no English equivalents on their website). I have linked to the Roskosmos page for each module also (directly, and archived pages). Photos and diagrams are not included.

Functional Cargo Block Zarya
Функционально-грузовой блок «Заря»

Launch
November 20, 1998

The deployment of the International Space Station (ISS) in near-Earth orbit began with the launch of the functional cargo unit (FGB) Zarya on November 20, 1998, which became the first element of the ISS. It is designed and manufactured by the M.V. Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. The assembly of the ISS in near-Earth orbit began with this module. At the initial stage of assembly, the FGB provided flight control for a bundle of modules, power supply, communications, reception, storage and transfer of fuel.

The layout of the FGB includes an instrument-cargo compartment and a sealed adapter designed to accommodate on-board systems that provide mechanical docking with other ISS modules and ships arriving at the ISS.

The internal space of the module is divided into two zones: instrumental and residential. Blocks of on-board systems are located in the instrument area. The living area is intended for crew work. It contains elements of control and management systems for the onboard complex. The instrument area is separated from the living area by interior panels.

Scheme of the functional cargo block Zarya
Main technical characteristics
Parameter Meaning
Mass in orbit 20,260 kg
body length 12,990 mm
Max Diameter 4100 mm
The volume of hermetic compartments 71.5 m3
Swipe solar panels 24,400 mm
Area of photovoltaic cells 28 m2
Guaranteed average daily power supply voltage 28 V 3 kW
Power supply capacity of the American segment up to 2 kW
Mass of refueling fuel up to 6100 kg
Launch orbit parameters
altitude at perigee 180 km
height at apogee 340 km
circulation period 89.6 min
inclination 51.6°
Build Orbit Height 385 km
Working orbit altitude 350-500 km
Duration of operation in orbit 15 years

Service Module Zvezda
Служебный модуль «Звезда»

Launch
July 12, 2000
Docking
July 26, 2000

The Service Module (SM) Zvezda, the second Russian module of the ISS, was launched into low-Earth orbit by the Proton launch vehicle and docked to the ISS functional cargo unit in July 2000. RSC Energiya acted as the lead developer of the Zvezda SM, and the Khrunichev Center was the main subcontractor. The Zvezda module houses flight control systems, life support systems, an energy and information center, as well as cabins for astronauts. The module has four docking nodes.

Structurally, the Zvezda SM consists of four compartments: three sealed compartments – a transition compartment, a working compartment and an intermediate chamber, as well as an unpressurized aggregate compartment, which houses the combined propulsion system. The body of the sealed compartments is made of aluminum-magnesium alloy and is a welded structure consisting of cylindrical, conical and spherical blocks.

The transfer compartment is designed to ensure the transfer of crew members between the service module and other modules of the ISS. It also performs the functions of an airlock compartment when the crew members go into outer space, for which there is a pressure relief valve on the side cover. On the outer surface of the transition compartment there are three sets of antennas of the Kurs system for automatic docking of spacecraft, docking targets, STR units, a propulsion system refueling unit, a television camera, side lights and other equipment. The outer surface is covered with panels with multilayer screen-vacuum thermal insulation and anti-meteorite screens.

The working compartment is designed to accommodate the main part of the onboard systems and equipment of the SM, for the life and work of the crew. There are eight portholes in the working compartment. Living quarters are equipped with means of supporting the life of the crew. In the small diameter zone of the working compartment there is a central station control post with control units and emergency warning panels, and in the large diameter zone there are two personal cabins, a sanitary compartment with a washbasin and a sewage device, a kitchen with a refrigerator-freezer, a work table with fixation devices, medical equipment, exercise equipment, and a small lock chamber for separating waste containers and small spacecraft.

The intermediate chamber is designed to ensure the transition of cosmonauts between the SM and the Soyuz or Progress spacecraft docked to the aft docking unit.

The aggregate compartment is designed to accommodate the units of the combined propulsion system. At the stern of the aggregate compartment there are two corrective engines, and on the side surface there are four blocks of orientation engines.

Parameter Meaning
Mass in orbit after separation from the launch vehicle 20,295 kg
body length 13.11 m
Max Diameter 4.35 m
The volume of hermetic compartments 89.0 m3
Crew living space 46.7 m3
Crew life support up to 6 people
Swipe solar panels 29.73 m
Area of photovoltaic cells 76 m2
Maximum output power of solar panels 13.8 kW
Duration of operation in orbit 15 years

Docking Compartment-1 Pirs
Стыковочный Отсек «Пирс»

Designation
SO-1
Launch
September 15, 2001
Docking
September 17, 2001
Undocking
July 26, 2021

Docking Compartment Pirs, which was an element of the Russian segment of the ISS, was launched as part of the specialized cargo spacecraft-module Progress M-SO1. On September 17, 2001, Progress M-SO1 docked with the International Space Station.

The Pirs Docking Compartment was designed and manufactured by RSC Energiya and had a dual purpose. It could be used as an airlock for spacewalks for two crew members and served as an additional port for docking manned and cargo spacecraft with the ISS. In addition, it provided the possibility of refueling the tanks of the Russian segment of the ISS with propellant components delivered on cargo transport ships.

The Pirs Docking Compartment consisted of a pressurized body and equipment installed on it, service systems and structural elements that ensured the docking of manned and transport spacecraft, as well as spacewalks for cosmonauts. Inside the Pirs Docking Compartment there were blocks of equipment for communication systems, control of the onboard complex, television and telemetry systems, cables of the onboard network and pipelines of the thermal control system. The Compartment had control panels for locking, control and management of service systems of the Docking Compartment.

On July 26, 2021, the Progress MS-16 cargo spacecraft with the Pirs module of the Russian segment of the ISS undocked from the Zvezda module of the International Space Station and was deorbited.

Parameter Meaning
Weight at launch, kg 4350
Mass in orbit, kg 3580
Reserve weight of delivered cargo, kg 800
Orbit height during assembly, km 350-410
Operating altitude of the orbit, km 410-460
Length (with docking units), m 4.91
Maximum diameter, m 2.55
The volume of the sealed compartment, m3 13

Service systems of the module

Module target systems

Mini-Research Module-2 Poisk
Малый исследовательский модуль «Поиск»

Designation
MIM
Launch
November 10, 2009
Docking
November 12, 2009

Small/Mini-Research Module No. 2 (MRM) Poisk is an element of the Russian segment of the International Space Station. It was designed and manufactured at the Energiya Rocket and Space Corporation named after S.P. Korolyov.

The Poisk Mini-Research Module is designed to conduct applied research and experiments inside and outside the module, use it as an airlock compartment for spacewalks and an additional port for docking with the ISS of Soyuz-type manned spacecraft and Progress-type automatic cargo spacecraft.

The Poisk module was created with the maximum use of the backlog of the Pirs Docking Compartment and the Progress M-SO1 module ship, which made it possible to ensure the continuity of the development and take into account the experience of operating this compartment as part of the ISS. The module case and power set are made of aluminum alloys, pipelines are made of corrosion-resistant steels and titanium alloys. Outside, the case is closed with screen-vacuum thermal insulation. The Poisk module has two docking nodes located along its longitudinal axis – active and passive. Exit hatches are located on the right and left sides. For the convenience of cosmonauts, they have ring handrails inside and outside the compartment. Manhole covers open inside the compartment. The transit refueling lines pass through the Poisk module. When creating the Poisk module, a number of improvements were made based on the results of the operation of the Pirs docking compartment as part of the ISS, as well as due to the need to ensure the possibility of conducting scientific research.

Main technical characteristics
Parameter Meaning
Hull length (along the planes of the docking units) 4049 mm
Maximum case diameter 2550 mm
Internal volume (by gas) 12.5 m3
Number of hatches for spacewalks 2
Exit hatches diameter 1000 mm

The main differences between the Poisk module and the Pirs docking compartment:

  1. A set of payloads have been introduced into the module, designed to accommodate scientific equipment and its integration with the onboard systems of the ISS. The structure of the complex includes:
    • universal workplace;
    • mechanical adapters;
    • scientific equipment;
    • cables for connecting scientific equipment.
  2. The means of ensuring the gas composition have been improved, taking into account the need for evacuation and pressurization of a sealed target load container.
  3. Additionally, a docking control target is installed, designed for visual control of the automatic docking of spacecraft with the module.
  4. Two additional outlet struts installed.
  5. The onboard measurement system has been upgraded.
  6. The composition of the computing means of the onboard equipment control system has been changed.

Mini-Research Module-1 Rassvet
Малый исследовательский модуль «Рассвет»

Legend
MIM-1
Start
May 14, 2010
Docking
18 May 2010

Mini-Research Module No. 1 (MRM-1) Rassvet is an element of the Russian segment of the International Space Station. It was designed and manufactured at the Energiya Rocket and Space Corporation named after S.P. Korolyov.

The module is designed to organize workplaces and accommodate scientific equipment for conducting experiments, as well as organizing a port that provides docking of Soyuz and Progress spacecraft (with the possibility of refueling the station with fuel) to the ISS from the side of the Zarya functional cargo block. It was delivered to the ISS as part of the cargo of the Atlantis STS-132 (ULF4) orbiter. Transfer and docking of the module to the nadir docking unit of the FGB Zarya is provided by the manipulators of the shuttle and the American segment of the ISS.

There are five universal workstations in the containment compartment of the module. Four of them are equipped with target equipment: a glove box, a universal low-temperature biotechnological thermostat, a universal high-temperature biotechnological thermostat, and a vibration protection platform. The fifth workstation is equipped with adapters for the installation of scientific equipment (special sliding module-shelves).

Main technical characteristics of the module
Parameter Meaning
Hull length (along the planes of the docking units) 6000 mm
Maximum hull diameter (without attachments) 2200 mm
Internal volume (by gas) 17.4 m3
including living space 5.8 m3
Starting mass of the module 8015 kg
Weight of delivered goods and equipment 2940 kg
including in the containment 1392 kg

The composition of the onboard systems of the module MIM1 Rassvet includes:

  1. the docking system is active;
  2. passive docking system;
  3. onboard equipment control system;
  4. power supply system;
  5. system for providing thermal conditions;
  6. means of ensuring the gas composition;
  7. means of fire protection;
  8. onboard measurement system;
  9. traffic and navigation controls;
  10. television system;
  11. means of ensuring refueling;
  12. telephone communication system;
  13. SOTR control system;
  14. a complex of target loads.

Multipurpose Laboratory Module-Upgrade Nauka
Многоцелевой лабораторный модуль «Наука»

Nauka is a multi-purpose laboratory module of the Russian segment of the International Space Station. It was created by the cooperation of enterprises in order to implement a program of scientific experiments and expand the functionality of the Russian segment of the ISS.

The launch of the Proton-M space rocket with the Nauka module was carried out from launcher No. 39 of launch pad No. 200 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 21, 2021 at 17:58:25 Moscow time.

Further approach to the International Space Station was carried out by the engines of the Nauka module. The duration of the insertion of the module into the docking zone with the ISS was 8 days.

The docking took place on July 29, 2021 at 16:29 Moscow time.

Mission and objectives of the Nauka module

The new Russian module is designed to increase the technical and operational capabilities of the Russian segment of the International Space Station. It will provide an opportunity to implement a scientific research program in the interests of fundamental science and the social sphere, including the development and increase in the resources of the Russian segment of the ISS.

The Nauka module was created on the basis of the Zarya functional cargo block, which has been operating in near-earth orbit for more than 22 years, using the technologies and experience in developing the Salyut transport supply ship for manned scientific stations and modules for retrofitting the Mir orbital complex. It consists of a hermetically sealed compartment and a spherical hermetic adapter separated by a hermetic bulkhead with a hatch.

Purpose

Expanding the capabilities of the Russian segment of the ISS as a scientific laboratory:

Key Features of the Science Module
Parameter Meaning
Mass in orbit, kg 20,350
Hull length, m 13.12
Maximum diameter, m 4.25
The volume of hermetic compartments, m3 70
Area of photovoltaic cells, m2 56
Power supply capacity, kW 2.5
Estimated duration of operation in orbit, years 15
Working orbit height, km 410-460

Integration work before launch

Flight test program of the Nauka module

The duration of flight tests is 12 months from the moment of launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Flight test stages:

Cyclogram runs and field diagram

V1, V2 are the pulses of the transition to the phase orbit. Phasing – 8 days.

V3, V4 are pulses of transition to the ISS orbit

Operations on the Nauka module after docking with the Russian Segment of the ISS

  1. Capturing the lock chamber with the ERA manipulator
  2. Transfer of the airlock from the Rassvet module to Nauka
  3. Positioning of the lock chamber relative to the Nauka module
  4. Docking of the lock chamber with the Nauka module

Cargo delivery aboard the Nauka module

List of possible experiments planned to be carried out on the module Nauka
Space experiment code Direction Equipment Organization developer
Effort-miniRSA
Напор-миниРСА		 Promising space technologies Mini-RSA CNIImash
Drop-2
Капля-2		 Promising space technologies Drip cooler emitter RSC Energiya

Center Keldysha
Aseptik
Асептик		 Space biology and physiology Tabs “Aseptic” NPP “BioTechSys”
Mirage
Мираж		 space materials science Technological unit MEP-01 KBOM
Vampire
Вампир		 space materials science
Fullerene
Фуллерен		 space materials science
Vitacycl-T
Витацикл-Т		 Space biology and physiology Vitacycle-T equipment GNC RF-IMBP RAN
BTN-Neutron 2
БТН-Нейтрон 2		 Physics of cosmic rays Low energy neutron spectrometer BTN-M GNC – IMBP RAN
High-energy neutron spectrometer “Neutron-Spektr” (SNVE) GNC – IMBP RAN
Impulse (stage 2)
Импульс (2 этап)		 solar system IPI-500 NII PME MAI
Angle
Ракурс		 Earth exploration from space Equipment “Rakurs” IPG
Capture-E
Захват-Э		 Promising space technologies SMS equipment FGANU TsNII RTK
Mutation
Мутация		 Space biology and physiology Equipment “Mutation” Biopreparation GNII “Genetics”
Quail
Перепел		 Space biology and physiology Equipment “Quail” GNC RF-IMBP

A cooperative

The customer of the Nauka module is the State Space Roskosmos Corporation.

The module was created by the cooperation of enterprises with the leading role of the Energiya Rocket and Space Corporation (Korolyov, part of the Roskosmos State Corporation) as the module developer in order to implement the program of scientific experiments and expand the functionality of the Russian segment of the ISS. The module design was manufactured by the State Space Research and Production Center named after M.V. Khrunichev (Moscow, part of Roskosmos).

7/7/2022: The second Russian oxygen regeneration system has been put into operation on the ISS

On board the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module of the Russian Segment of the International Space Station, the second Elektron-VM oxygen regeneration system, which provides the necessary gas composition of the ISS atmosphere, has been put into normal operation.

In July 2022, the Russian ISS crew completed testing and preparation for operation of the new Elektron-VM system as a backup oxygen source for crew breathing in addition to a similar system located in the Zvezda Service Module. The Elektron-VM process unit, located in the instrument-tight compartment of the module and designed for the electrolysis production of oxygen from water condensate, has been successfully integrated into the control loop of the Russian segment of the ISS.

29/7/2022: Year of Nauka on the ISS

Exactly one year ago, on July 29, 2021, the Nauka multi-purpose laboratory module docked at the Russian segment of the International Space Station and its flight test program is currently underway.

After arriving at the ISS, the Nauka module was released from the delivered cargo and connected by air ducts to the Zvezda service module to organize a common atmosphere. Subsequently, a significant part of the working time of the Russian participants of the ISS-65/67 long-term expeditions was devoted to switching on and checking the functioning of the on-board systems and service equipment, the equipment of the information and control system and the life support of the Nauka module. In particular, the second Russian oxygen production system Elektron-VM was recently successfully put into operation in the module.

At the same time, the main task of the Russian station crew was to carry out work on the system integration of the new module into the control loop of the onboard information and computer complex of the ISS Russian Segment. During them, two spacewalks of Russian cosmonauts took place to install electrical and network communications between the interfaces of the Nauka module and the Russian segment of the ISS.

In addition, the cosmonauts successfully completed three missions overboard the module under the activation program for the European robotic arm (ERA). During these, the manipulator was unlocked from the starting configuration, the control panels and the video monitoring camera were tested, external workstations were mounted, and the general performance of the manipulator was checked.

On November 26, 2021, the Prichal node module docked with Nauka, which made it possible to significantly increase the capabilities of transport services for the Russian segment of the ISS.

The completion of the Nauka flight test phase provides for the installation on the surface of the module of means for securing large-sized objects (LCCS), which will be delivered by the Progress MS-21 cargo ship in October 2022. Installation of SCCS intended for outdoor placement of research equipment is scheduled for implementation during the next extravehicular activity of Russian cosmonauts in November this year.

The further plan for preparing the module for operation also involves its retrofitting with an additional radiation heat exchanger and an air lock using the ERA manipulator.

Nauka is a research module of the Russian segment of the ISS. It was created by the cooperation of enterprises with the leading role of the Energiya Rocket and Space Corporation named after S.P. Korolev (part of the Roskosmos State Corporation) in order to implement the national program of scientific and applied experiments and expand the functionality of the Russian segment of the ISS.

Module purpose:

Node Module Prichal
Узловой модуль «Причал»

The node module Prichal is designed to increase the technical and operational capabilities of the Russian segment of the International Space Station. The module is docked to the nadir node of the Nauka multi-purpose laboratory module.

Further development of the Russian segment of the ISS is ensured by docking transport systems, including advanced ones, to the hub module.

The developer of the node module is the Energiya Rocket and Space Corporation named after S.P. Korolyov (part of the Roskosmos State Corporation).

It is designed to solve the following tasks:

Main characteristics of the node module
Parameter Meaning
Starting weight, kg 4650
Diameter of the spherical body, mm 3300
Number of docking units 6
Mass of delivered goods, no more than, kg 700
Hermetic volume, m3 19
Maximum power consumption of the on-board systems of the module during the flight as part of the Progress M-UM spacecraft, W 700
Average daily power consumption of the on-board systems of the module during the flight as part of the ISS Russian Segment, W 500

The nodal module includes a body and a complex of onboard systems, including an onboard equipment control system, radio engineering facilities, a thermal regime maintenance system, gas composition maintenance facilities, traffic and navigation control facilities, refueling transit lines, an active hybrid docking system, a passive hybrid docking system, means of rearrangement. The module uses a passive system for providing thermal conditions on heat pipes using automatic electric heaters paired with electronic switches.

The nodal module Prichal is a spherical hermetic compartment with components placed inside and outside of it, ensuring the fulfillment of its tasks.

An active hybrid docking unit (ASA-G), a passive combined docking unit (ASP-K) and four passive hybrid side docking units (two ASP-GB1 and two ASP-GB2)are placed on the outer surface of the hull.

In order to ensure docking to the nodal module, on its outer surface along the axis of the ASP-K docking unit, antennas of the passive equipment of the Kurs-P rendezvous system, docking targets and control targets, a television camera unit from the composition of radio equipment, as well as rigging elements of docking means are placed.

To ensure the functioning of the Prichal node module as part of the Progress M-UM transport cargo ship-module, a docking monitoring camera and a transmitting antenna of the Klest system, antennas of the Kurs-NA active rendezvous system are installed on its outer surface from the side of the active docking unit.

In order to ensure the transfer of fuel components, pipelines and valve blocks of transit lines for refueling are located on the outer surface. To ensure the fixation of the cosmonaut (operator) when performing extravehicular activities, handrails of means of fixing the operator are also installed on the outer surface. The case and the cables, pipelines and units located on its surface are covered with micrometeoroid protection sheets.

The internal volume of the spherical body is divided by interior panels into two zones – instrumental and habitable. Interior panels with means of fixing the operator are installed on the frames of the load-bearing frame of the instrument area. The power frame of the instrument area, as well as the seats from the housing, are the structural basis for installing equipment inside the housing, including the delivered one.

Places inside the case that are not covered by the interior are covered with false panels, the fastening of which allows, if necessary, their replacement at the stage of intended use. Electric heaters with SOTR electronic switches are installed on the inner surface of the housing, providing temperature control of the housing.

The node module was launched into orbit as part of the Progress M-UM transport cargo module using the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle from the Baikonur cosmodrome. The launch took place on November 24, 2021 at 16:06:35 Moscow time.

Prior to its docking with the ISS, the following work must be carried out:

After the docking of the Progress M-UM spacecraft with the Russian segment of the International Space Station, the following work is carried out:

  1. Re-preservation of the nodal module Prichal, including:
  1. separation of the instrument-aggregate compartment of the ship;
  2. carrying out the spacewalk of the ISS crew to install antennas and targets on the outer surface of the Prichal node module, necessary for docking the Soyuz MS and Progress MS transport vehicles to it.

The Russian Segment of the ISS after the docking of the Progress M-UM module spacecraft, separation of the instrument-assembly compartment and with the docked spacecraft

Transport cargo ship-module Progress M-UM

The transport cargo ship-module Progress M-UM is designed to solve the following tasks:

Main characteristics
Parameter Meaning
Starting weight, kg 8180
Length, m 7.23
Largest diameter, m 3.60
Span of solar panels, m 10.7
Basic product: transport cargo ship Progress M. 19

The structure of the transport cargo ship-module includes:

The transport cargo ship-module Progress M-UM is an assembly of the nodal module Prichal with an instrument-aggregate compartment by means of a newly developed transitional compartment. The instrument-assembly compartment in design corresponds to the instrument-assembly compartment of the Progress M base ship with modifications to increase its rigidity and strength due to the increased weight of the ship to 8,180 kg.

The composition of the instrument-aggregate compartment includes:

Similar to the parent ship, the aggregate compartment houses the units of the combined propulsion system – the main unit with a correction engine with a thrust of 300 kgf and the mooring and orientation engines of the lower belt with a thrust of 13 kgf. The upper and lower instrument compartments form a single hermetic volume in which the instruments of the onboard systems are placed.

To provide control and monitoring on the outer surface of the instrument-aggregate compartment, two antennas of the Kvant-V onboard radio engineering system, as well as an antenna for the onboard measurement system from the side of the aggregate compartment bottom, are located. The radio monitoring of the orbit parameters is carried out with the help of the means of radio monitoring of the orbit. Antennas for radio monitoring of the orbit are also located on the outer surface of the instrument-aggregate compartment.

To provide power, two solar panels are placed, similar to those installed on the Progress M cargo ship. To provide traffic control, sensors of the traffic control and navigation system are also installed – infrared vertical sensors and a Sun sensor.

On the transitional compartment are located:

The separable joint of the transfer compartment with the nodal module Prichal provides, upon command from the ground control loop, the operation of the pyro-locks of the compartment of the instrument-aggregate compartment, the divergence of the connection with the transfer compartment. After separating the instrument-aggregate compartment from the node module, the control of the combination of the instrument-aggregate compartment with the transitional compartment is provided by the compartment motion control and navigation system.

The Progress M-UM transport cargo ship-module is launched into orbit by the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle

Nominal launch orbit parameters
Parameter Meaning
Launch orbit height 193×240 km
Height of docking and descent orbit of the instrument-aggregate compartment up to 460 km
Orbital inclination 51.6°

Flight and docking scheme

The ballistic flight scheme to docking with the ISS is similar to the Progress M mother ship (two-day flight with the possibility of increasing the duration in the event of emergency situations). The docking of the node module is carried out to the multi-purpose laboratory module Nauka. It took place on November 26, 2021 at 18:19 Moscow time.

The flight pattern of the instrument-aggregate compartment after separation from the Prichal node module is similar to the flight pattern of this compartment of the Progress M-SO1 module ships (with the Pirs module) and Progress M-MIM (with the Poisk module). The nominal flight duration of the bundle after separation is up to three turns. Fuel reserves provide regular and repeated rendezvous and docking with subsequent descent from near-Earth orbit. The undocking took place on December 23, 2021 at 02:03 Moscow time

The cyclogram of automatic docking is completely similar to the mother ship Progress M. In case of failures at the berthing site, it is possible to complete the docking in the teleoperator control mode.

5:41 PM Tuesday, 11 October 2022

Linked from ISS Russian segment