Node Module

The Node Module (NM) is a pressurized module of the Russian Segment (RS or ROS) of the International Space Station (ISS) and will be used in the OPSEK space station. NM is being developed by RSC Energia in order to support the docking to ISS RS of two scientific and power modules during the final stage of the segment assembly and to provide on this segment additional docking ports to receive Soyuz TMA and Progress M spacecraft. NM is to be incorporated into ISS in 2012.

Launch

The Node Module would be integrated with a special version of the Progress cargo ship and launched by a standard Soyuz rocket. The Progress would use its own propulsion and flight control system to deliver and dock the Node Module to the nadir (Earth-facing) docking port of the Nauka MLM/FGB-2 module on the Russian segment of the ISS.

Design

The Nadir (earth-facing) docking port will support automated transfer of propellants between docked Russian spacecraft and the ROS in both directions, and automated docking of manned and unmanned spacecraft using the Kurs radio telemetry system. According to the stations normal orientation, the module will provide the following ports, Zenith (top) one Active Hybrid, 4 Passive Hybrid and one Nadir Passive Transformed Hybrid, which is able to support Active Hybrid and Active Standard Probe spacecraft. The docking compartment has an internal volume of 14 cubic meters.

History

In the mid-2000s, RKK Energia added the UM to the future configuration of the ISS. Despite its small size, this four-ton, ball-shaped module could play an extremely important role in the Russian space program.

The first task of the module would be to enable the addition of a pair of science and power modules, NEMs, to the Russian segment, which were intended to replace a canceled Science and Power Platform, NEP. However more importantly, the node module was conceived to serve as the only permanent element of the future Russian successor to the ISS, OPSEK. Equipped with six docking ports, the Node Module would serve as a single permanent core of the future station with all other modules coming and going as their life span and mission required. This would become a new generation of space station, beyond Russia's MIR space station and the ISS , which are more advanced than early monolithic first generation stations, such as Salyut, Almaz, and Skylab.

The Preliminary design was completed on Jan. 15, 2011,when RKK Energia announced that its Scientific and Technical Council, NTS, conducted a meeting, which reviewed and approved the preliminary design of the Node Module and associated hardware. The meeting also approved the specialized launch craft, a Progress cargo ship designated the Progress M–UM and the adaptation of the Soyuz rocket for the launch of the Progress M-UM spacecraft-module;^[1]

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References

External links

Images

CGI of module

CGI of module

Line diagram of module and progress robot spacecraft

See also

• Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment Complex - proposed separation of parts of ROS