The Russian science block is connected to the Noka International Space Station

This is the first time in eleven years that the new Russian module has joined the orbit laboratory. Nearly 15 years after eight days of space travel and initial plans, the new Russian science block Naka (“science” in Russian) arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, July 29.

Contact and capture, docking confirmed. 9:29 a.m. ET, Th Rascosmos The Nauka science block came to the opposite side of the earth Space stationRussian section: pic.twitter.com/svwaYm5UGS

– NASA (NASA) July 29, 2021

Following his arrival there was a temporary problem with the propulsion: a few hours later, the astronauts reported an unexpected ignition of the Nauka engines, forcing those in the Russian section of the ISS to retaliate. . The thrusters (…) began to operate unexpectedly and carelessly, moving the station out of the 45 degree position. Proprietary actions brought it back to normal. [initiale] And crew are not in danger “, NASA explained On Twitter (Link in English).

“New volume, new perspectives for Russian astronauts”, Greeted astronaut Evan Wagner on Twitter. With a total weight of 20 tons per 70 m3 of interior volume – this is one of the largest in the ISS –, This module replaces the PIRS module, which is very small and split from the ISS before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere in the Pacific Ocean on Monday.

If Nauka is primarily a laboratory module, that too will provide “Places for Workstations and Cargo Storage, Water and Oxygen Regeneration Equipment”, According to Roscosmos. He also carried with him one of the equipment of the European Space Agency (ESA), an ERA robotic arm to be installed outside the block. Capable of “Move” In the Russian section of the ISS, it can carry up to eight tons of equipment and especially assist astronauts during extra vehicle evacuations.