Russian next generation space station?

[Grey Havoc]

Via Slashdot: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-may-be-planning-national-space-station-to-replace-iss/511299.html

ORIGINAL CAPTION: A model of the long considered space station hanging at a Moscow exhibition on space exploration in 2009.
IMAGE CREDIT: Andrei Makhonin / Vedomosti

Russia may be planning to build a new, independent national space station rather than prolong its participation in the $150 billion International Space Station (ISS) program beyond its current 2020 end date, the Kommersant newspaper reported Monday.

The U.S. space agency NASA proposed last year to extend the life of the ISS — the largest international project ever undertaken by nations during peacetime — beyond its currently scheduled 2020 end date to at least 2024.

While engineering studies quickly found that the station was structurally capable of surviving well into the 2020s, the space agencies involved in the project are now waiting for government approval to extend the project. But with the conflict in Ukraine driving a wedge between Russia and the West, officials in Moscow have said they may reject NASA's offer and chart their own path in space — marking a possible regression to Cold War-style competitive space exploration.

Although no official word from Russian space officials has yet been issued on an ISS extension, a senior source at the Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TsNIIMash) — the federal space agency's think tank — told Kommersant on Monday that Russia will begin constructing a new space station to replace its segment of the ISS as early as 2017.

Referring to three modules currently intended to be attached to the ISS between 2017 and 2018, the source said: "The initial configuration [of the new Russian space station] will be constructed on the foundation of the Multipurpose Laboratory Module, a node module, and the OKA-T free-floating laboratory spacecraft."

Russian space industry analyst Pavel Luzin told The Moscow Times that he did not put much stock in the proposal.

"How can they suddenly plan a new space station? It's impossible," he said, adding that although there are new ISS modules on the way, they are in various states of completion and require additional funding.

TsNIIMash's press service declined to comment when asked by The Moscow Times to confirm the existence of plans for the new space station. Russia's federal space agency, Roscosmos, did not respond to a request for confirmation.

Later on Monday, Interfax cited an unidentified Roscosmos source as saying that the agency had no plans to begin developing a new space station in 2017, and that such a proposal would be technically and financially unfeasible.


Old Idea, New Circumstances

Proposals for a new Russian manned space station project known as the Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment Complex (OPSEK, in Russian) predate the current period of U.S.-Russian tensions as well as NASA's recent proposal to extend the ISS program beyond 2020.

Since as early as 2004, Russian space officials have planned on using their ISS modules to build a new national space station once the international program draws to a close in 2020.

But according to Kommersant's TsNIIMash source, Russia is now looking to bypass the ISS altogether and use the upcoming modules to create a brand-new space station three years ahead of schedule.

According to the paper, the new space station would be placed in an orbital inclination — the path a spacecraft or space station follows relative to the Earth's equator — better suited for Russian launches from its new Vostochny Cosmodrome in the far-eastern Amur region and the northern Plesetsk cosmodrome.

This would allow Russia to easily use to station as a base for testing yet-undeveloped spacecraft to transport people to the moon and into deep space. The path, angled at almost 70 degrees off the Earth's equator, also allows the station to observe 90 percent of Russia's territory, including the Arctic shelf.

[snip]

 

[archipeppe]

The model hanging from the ceiling in the photo is exactly the current ISS, it is possible to see the ATV attached at one side, while the europ-nippon part on the other side (Columbus + Kibo).

 

[Michel Van]

That's ISS in original configuration watch from above.

About New Russian Space Station, The OPSEK project here
http://www.russianspaceweb.com/opsek.html

 

[Grey Havoc]

Indeed, a fully constructed (phase 3?) OPSEK would be likely much closer to the Mir-2 project in appearance.

 

[carmelo]

What about a cooperation with China?
A sort of Tiangong /Opsek program?

 

[blackstar]

What about a cooperation with China?
A sort of Tiangong /Opsek program?

The Russians recently announced that they might cooperate by sending their cosmonauts/taikonauts to each others' space stations--so a Russian might visit the Chinese station and a Chinese might visit the ISS (at least the Russian side). No spacecraft involved, they would just trade seats.

But as far as a joint effort, I think the answer is pretty clearly no. China wants to go it alone, and Russia probably does not want to get out of one international partnership only to sign up with another one.

 

[athpilot]

HI!
Semi-off topic, because its a little retro futurism: The "nadeshda" and "russ" spacestation concepts were seriously considered as MIR follow-ups. It was accepted in 1999 but soon after the russians decided to take part in the ISS and to have no all russian station."Nadeshda" should be completed by 2007 and operated until 2015. The "Nadeshda" station is technical very interesting and innovativ and used also old components combined with an inflatable section. The article is from an old german space magazine called "Raumfahrt concret" (issue 13/2000). It still exist today and is worth reading. So hope you enjoy it too...

Greetings
Athpilot

attachements modified

 

[athpilot]

Thank you Jemiba!

 

[Michel Van]

I never hear about "nadeshda" and "russ" space station concepts

"nadeshda" is so unconventional for a Soviets Space Hardware, with use of Inflatable Habitat

it use a FGB block with 4 LKS capsule (modified for 4 person each) as core, encase in Transhab like cover
once in orbit it inflated the hull and formed additional work space and serve as basic module for Biological experiments

next to that three FGB module for Experiments: Technology, Astrophysics and a special module (what ever that is)
the Station is equip with very big robot arm who catch Progress Transporters (seem lesson after Progress MIR collision)

 

[ouroboros]

Interesting hard core around the inflatable shell. If it's like the normal block, then it's a safe sealable refuge in case of the outer shell developing a leak, compared to TransHab/Bigelow modules that only have a central strongback/spine that's open.

 

[Grey Havoc]

http://aviationweek.com/space/russia-quit-iss-2024-build-space-base-leo

 

[athpilot]

Thanx for the information Grey Havoc! Especially the following senteces aroused my interest: "During the meeting, the STC also evaluated concepts for advancing Russia's manned space program beyond low Earth orbit over the next two decades. Near-term plans are focused on studying the Moon using robotic spacecraft in lunar orbit, and to send humans to its surface by 2030." Hmm... russia said things like these so often before. We´ll see what the future holds...

 

[Grey Havoc]

This may put a crimp in things, or alternatively it may help to speed things up: http://science.slashdot.org/story/15/05/26/2141210/russian-space-agency-misused-18-billion-may-be-replaced

 

[Grey Havoc]

Speaking of the new Vostochny launch site: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35413133

 

[Grey Havoc]

Russia open to extending international space station partnership: agency chief (Reuters)

 

[FighterJock]

How big would the new space station be? As big as the ISS or even bigger?

 

[blackstar]

How big would the new space station be? As big as the ISS or even bigger?

No, smaller. A few modules.

But it is not going to happen. The Russians are having major problems. They have had a laboratory module to launch to the ISS that has been in trouble for almost a decade now. They discovered contamination problems in the fuel system back in 2013 that they still have not fixed. Take a look at russianspaceweb.com for details. It's a big mess.

 

[FighterJock]

How big would the new space station be? As big as the ISS or even bigger?

No, smaller. A few modules.

But it is not going to happen. The Russians are having major problems. They have had a laboratory module to launch to the ISS that has been in trouble for almost a decade now. They discovered contamination problems in the fuel system back in 2013 that they still have not fixed. Take a look at russianspaceweb.com for details. It's a big mess.

I did not know that they had discovered contamination problems in the fuel system, and to have not fixed them since discovering them back in 2013 is shocking to say the least.

 

[blackstar]

I did not know that they had discovered contamination problems in the fuel system, and to have not fixed them since discovering them back in 2013 is shocking to say the least.

http://russianspaceweb.com/iss-fgb2-mlm-2013.html

How MLM module was hit with a contamination disaster

In 2013, when the MLM/Nauka module was believed to be less than a year away from launch, engineers testing its systems made a startling discovery. The spacecraft's critical propulsion system turned out to be heavily contaminated with metallic dust. It was spread around the maze of pipelines, valves and combustion chambers during the "upgrades" of the spacecraft in the previous years. One almost unbelievable rumor had it that workers charged with sawing off redundant components thought they had been cutting the vehicle to scrap! Here is the inside story of the MLM module contamination blunder.

 

[FighterJock]

I did not know that they had discovered contamination problems in the fuel system, and to have not fixed them since discovering them back in 2013 is shocking to say the least.

http://russianspaceweb.com/iss-fgb2-mlm-2013.html

How MLM module was hit with a contamination disaster

In 2013, when the MLM/Nauka module was believed to be less than a year away from launch, engineers testing its systems made a startling discovery. The spacecraft's critical propulsion system turned out to be heavily contaminated with metallic dust. It was spread around the maze of pipelines, valves and combustion chambers during the "upgrades" of the spacecraft in the previous years. One almost unbelievable rumor had it that workers charged with sawing off redundant components thought they had been cutting the vehicle to scrap! Here is the inside story of the MLM module contamination blunder.

Thanks for the link blackstar.

 

[blackstar]

Thanks for the link blackstar.

There is a lot of good stuff on that site. You should follow him on Twitter, Facebook or wherever. It's the best way to keep up about what is going on with the Russian space program.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1177107106975178752

 

[Moose]

That seems like a decision which could seriously come back to haunt them.

 

[Flyaway]

That seems like a decision which could seriously come back to haunt them.

I believe they are only intending to use them once during the docking to ISS.

 

[Grey Havoc]

With regards as to the MLM (Nauka) module:

Nauka (ISS module) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Grey Havoc]

Russia Mulls Withdrawing From the ISS After 2024 - Slashdot

As the 20-year-old International Space Station (ISS) starts showing its age, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov suggested Russia would back away from the ISS as early as 2025 to pursue a national space station. Science Magazine reports: Although he and other officials have since...

slashdot.org

 

[blackstar]

I'd note that they ponder doing this every year. But they have not shown the willingness to spend the money required to do it. I have started to suspect that it's just a negotiating tactic.

NASA emphasizes good relationship with Roscosmos as Russia mulls exiting ISS

NASA’s acting head says the agency’s relationship with Russia remains good despite comments by Russian officials in recent days that the country could abandon the International Space Station as soo…

spacenews.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Sorry, that glitch still shows up at times. Fixed!

 

[flateric]

So now we are going to launch NEM (initially intended for launch to ISS in 2019) circa 2030 and make a flip back to the state we were in 1986. Perfect, perfect.

 

[tequilashooter]

Научно-энергетический модуль новой орбитальной станции РОСС. Что показал Роскосмос?

У будущей станции предполагается высокоширотная орбита. Планируют, что научно-энергетический модуль (НЭМ) полетит на орбиту на «Ангаре» с «Восточного». Пока же предварительно нужно 1-2 года, чтобы переделать НЭМ под РОСС.

naukatehnika.com

"The cosmonauts will go to the new station as early as 2026, the Energia Rocket and Space Corporation said. Roscosmos announced on April 23 that in 2025 the first block of the station - scientific and energy - will go into near-Earth space. It will be put into orbit higher than it is now at the ISS.

The new station will be fundamentally different from the ISS. The first and, perhaps, the main thing is the so-called tilt, that is, how far the orbit of the station is far from the equator. The ISS has a slope of almost 52 degrees. It is planned that our future national station will reach 97 degrees. It will be in the so-called high-expansion orbit.

In addition, unlike the ISS, which sees 20% of Russia's territory, the new one will have a 100% review.

"Despite the fact that we have accumulated a lot of experience of manned flights since the 1960s, every time we discover something new. And as soon as we go beyond the low orbit, which we have already mastered, and the usual inclination, we will face nuances, especially in terms of life support systems and life-biological equipment of astronauts. We should be ready for this, of course, before we talk about any long-term missions beyond low Earth orbit, to the Moon, to Mars or somewhere else," said Alexander Bloshenko, Roscosmos' executive director for advanced programs and science."

 

[Grey Havoc]

Russia's space chief threatens to leave International Space Station program unless U.S. lifts sanctions

The ISS is the largest hub for scientific research and collaboration in orbit.

www.cnbc.com

 

[tequilashooter]

В РКС завершили производство бортовой аппаратуры для автоматической межпланетной станции «Луна-25»

Холдинг «Российские космические системы» (РКС, входит в Госкорпорацию «РОСКОСМОС») завершил производство и проводит приемо-сдаточные испытания бортовой аппаратуры командно-измерительной системы (БА КИС) для автоматической межпланетной станции «Луна-25». На протяжении всей миссии полета на Луну...

russianspacesystems.ru

Russian Space Systems completes production of onboard equipment for the Luna-25 automatic interplanetary station.

The Russian Space Systems Holding Company (RSS, part of the Roscosmos State Corporation) has completed production and is conducting acceptance tests of onboard command and measurement system equipment for the Luna-25 automatic interplanetary station. During the entire mission of the mission to the Moon, the new generation on-board radio engineering system developed at the RSS, in cooperation with the upgraded ground-based systems of the Mission Control Center, will provide real-time round-the-clock control and data transmission from the spacecraft, as well as monitor its technical condition. BA CIS is one of the main and most high-tech systems created in the RSS.

The onboard equipment of the command and measurement system and the ground-based control system of the automatic interplanetary station Luna-25 provide communication between the spacecraft and the Earth. The system transmits telemetry information, receives control commands, and monitors their execution. The command radio link transmits control actions to the spacecraft in the form of one-time commands and in the format of command and program information. The ground-based system measures the current navigation parameters of the interplanetary station's movement in real time, receives and transmits digital information arrays, relays signals to measure current navigation parameters,and performs reconciliation, phasing, and correction of the onboard time scale.

During the entire flight of the Luna-25 automatic interplanetary station, the onboard equipment of the command and measurement system will continuously transmit information about the state of onboard systems, telemetry information, and provide determination of orbit parameters for calculating correction pulses. This will make it possible to quickly make decisions during the implementation of the Luna-25 mission.

The system will also allow you to control the deployment of solar panels, the activation and functioning of the orientation system, and the operation of telecommunications systems of the Luna-25 automatic station. The instruments collect telemetry information from the spacecraft's systems and transmit it via the command radio link, as well as monitor the state of aggregates and complex devices.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Space agencies support ISS extension as NASA warns of space race with China

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said he remains confident that Russia will remain a part of the International Space Station through the end of the decade but warned of an emerging space race with Ch…

spacenews.com

COLORADO SPRINGS — NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said he remains confident that Russia will remain a part of the International Space Station through the end of the decade but warned of an emerging space race with China.

Speaking on a panel with the heads of seven other space agencies at the 36th Space Symposium here Aug. 25, Nelson said that he didn’t believe media reports out of the Russia from earlier this year that claimed Roscosmos might end its participation on the ISS as soon as the middle of the decade to develop its own station.

“Despite what you read in the press, I think that the cooperation with the Russians, which has been there ever since 1975, will continue,” he said, referring to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission in 1975 when an Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soyuz spacecraft.

As evidence of that, he said, was the docking last month of a new Russian module, called Nauka, with the station. “We expect our Russian partners to continue with us, and we expect to expand the space station as a government project all the way to 2030.”

Nelson has long advocated an extension of the ISS to 2030, although the U.S. Congress has yet to formally authorize such an extension. Any extension of the ISS would require the agreement of the other station partners: Canada, Europe, Japan and Russia.

 

[griml0ck122]

Space agencies support ISS extension as NASA warns of space race with China

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said he remains confident that Russia will remain a part of the International Space Station through the end of the decade but warned of an emerging space race with Ch…

spacenews.com

COLORADO SPRINGS — NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said he remains confident that Russia will remain a part of the International Space Station through the end of the decade but warned of an emerging space race with China.

Speaking on a panel with the heads of seven other space agencies at the 36th Space Symposium here Aug. 25, Nelson said that he didn’t believe media reports out of the Russia from earlier this year that claimed Roscosmos might end its participation on the ISS as soon as the middle of the decade to develop its own station.

“Despite what you read in the press, I think that the cooperation with the Russians, which has been there ever since 1975, will continue,” he said, referring to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission in 1975 when an Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soyuz spacecraft.

As evidence of that, he said, was the docking last month of a new Russian module, called Nauka, with the station. “We expect our Russian partners to continue with us, and we expect to expand the space station as a government project all the way to 2030.”

Nelson has long advocated an extension of the ISS to 2030, although the U.S. Congress has yet to formally authorize such an extension. Any extension of the ISS would require the agreement of the other station partners: Canada, Europe, Japan and Russia.

By this stage Zvezda will be close to 45 years old, and have been in space for 30. Sergei Kirkalev has mentioned the module's systems are good untill 2027 at least, but an extension of the ISS in it's current form may not be possible past this date. Because Zvezda is the propulsion element the future of the ISS depends on this module's status.
On the other hand the USOS is holding up quite well it seems

 

[Grey Havoc]

Russia in 2027 may begin construction of a new space station.

General Designer Soloviev: Russia in 2027 may start assembling a new space station.

02:40 08/31/2021

MOSCOW, August 31 - RIA Novosti. In 2027, Russia may start in orbit to assemble a new national space station, while continuing to operate the Russian segment of the ISS for two years , the General Designer of the Rocket and Space Corporation ( RSC ) Energia, flight director of the Russian segment of the ISS, told RIA Novosti in an interview with RIA Novosti . cosmonaut, twice Hero of the Soviet Union Vladimir Soloviev.

"The Angara is being created, but, as my colleagues explain to me, with its help we will be able to launch new modules this year in 2027, when, we hope, the infrastructure at the Vostochny cosmodrome will be ready. That is, we must fly to the ISS until 2028. -2029, in order to close the "junction" between the completion of the ISS and the start of operation of the new station at least two years, "Soloviev said.

The first module will be the Science and Power Module (SEM) intended for the ISS. NEM has been created since 2012. Initially, it was assumed that the module will be produced in 2015 and will ensure the energy independence of the Russian segment of the ISS, which now receives electricity from the American segment. Also, the module is intended for scientific research. However, in 2015, only a draft design was ready. According to open data, the airframe of the NEM module has been assembled since 2017. In 2018, its ground tests began. Module starts are constantly postponed.

Earlier it was reported that the first module of the new Russian space station should be ready for launch in 2025.

It was reported that the station will be designed with an open architecture and an unlimited lifetime due to the replacement of modules, it will be larger than Mir in size, fly in an orbit with an altitude of 400 kilometers and an inclination of 98 degrees, which will allow monitoring the entire surface of the Earth , in the first place beyond the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route.

Россия в 2027 году может начать строительство новой космической станции

Россия в 2027 году может приступить на орбите к сборке новой национальной космической станции, параллельно в течение двух лет продолжая эксплуатацию российского РИА Новости, 31.08.2021

ria.ru

 

[Grey Havoc]

Russia Announces It Will Create Core of New Space Station By 2030 - Slashdot

"Despite its domestic space program faltering even before sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine, and at least one very public failure on a less ambitious project, Russia has announced it will begin construction of a Russian-only replacement for the ISS and place it in a more...

science.slashdot.org