Multipurpose Laboratory Module

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The Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) will be a component of the International Space Station funded by the Russian Federal Space Agency that will replace the Universal Docking Module. In August 2004 it was decided that the MLM would be built from the modified Khrunichev-built Functional Cargo Block (FGB-2), whose construction has been halted at 70-percent complete since the late 1990s. The FGB-2 was originally made as a backup for the original launch of the Zarya module, and as early as 1997 it was planned to be used as the Universal Docking Module (UDM) ^[1]. The Russian Federal Space Agency has said the MLM should be ready for launch in 2007 on a Russian Proton rocket.

There was an alternate, rejected proposal for the MLM from RKK Energia based on the cancelled Commercial Enterprise Module (which was joinly funded by RKK Energia and SPACEHAB).

The MLM will be used for experiments, docking and cargo. It will also serve as a crew work and rest area. MLM will also be equipped with an altitude control system that can be used as a backup by the ISS. It will be docked onto the Zarya control module side docking port. Also the European Robotic Arm will be launched together with MLM, mated on its surface for a later deployment in space.

[edit] Specifications

Length: 13 m
Diameter: 4.11 m
Mass: 20,300 kg

[edit] Notes

↑ - A February 1997 NASA memo [2]

[edit] External links

Description of MLM (English) (Russian) - From the Khrunichev site; has some photos of the incomplete FGB-2
Новости российского сегмента МКС - Nov. 2004 article (in Russian) discussing the plans for MLM - Warning: set your browser encoding to "Windows Cyrillic" to read this page