The International Space Station ISS is the embodiment of the most grandiose and progressive technical achievement cosmic scale on our planet. This is a huge space research laboratory for studying, conducting experiments, observing both the surface of our planet Earth and for astronomical observations of deep space without exposure to the earth's atmosphere. At the same time, it is both a home for the cosmonauts and astronauts working on it, where they live and work, and a port for berthing space cargo and transport ships. Raising his head and looking up at the sky, a person saw the endless expanses of space and always dreamed of, if not conquering, then learning as much as possible about it and comprehending all its secrets. The flight of the first cosmonaut into earth orbit and the launch of satellites gave a powerful impetus to the development of astronautics and further flights into space. But simply human flight into near space is no longer enough. Eyes are directed further, to other planets, and to achieve this, much more needs to be explored, learned and understood. And most importantly for the long term space flights human - the need to establish the nature and consequences of long-term influence on health of long-term weightlessness during flights, the possibility of life support for a long stay on spacecraft and the exclusion of all negative factors, affecting the health and life of people, both in near and far outer space, identifying dangerous collisions of spacecraft with other space objects and ensuring safety measures.
For this purpose, they began to build, first, simply long-term manned orbital stations of the Salyut series, then a more advanced one, with a complex modular architecture, “MIR”. Such stations could be constantly in Earth orbit and receive cosmonauts and astronauts delivered by spacecraft. But, having achieved certain results in space exploration, thanks to space stations, time inexorably demanded further, increasingly improved methods for studying space and the possibility of human life while flying in it. The construction of a new space station required huge, even greater capital investments than previous ones, and it was already economically difficult for one country to move space science and technology. It should be noted that the leading places in space technology achievements at the level of orbital stations were held by former USSR(now the Russian Federation) and the United States of America. Despite the contradictions in political views, these two powers understood the need for cooperation in space issues, and in particular, in the construction of a new orbital station, especially since the previous experience of joint cooperation during flights of American astronauts to the Russian space station "Mir" had its tangible positive results. Therefore, since 1993, representatives of the Russian Federation and the United States have been negotiating the joint design, construction and operation of a new International Space Station. The planned “Detailed Work Plan for the ISS” has been signed.
In 1995 In Houston, the basic preliminary design of the station was approved. Accepted project The modular architecture of the orbital station makes it possible to carry out its phased construction in space, adding more and more new sections of modules to the main already operating module, making its construction more accessible, easier and flexible, making it possible to change the architecture in connection with the emerging need and capabilities of the participating countries .
The basic configuration of the station was approved and signed in 1996. It consisted of two main segments: Russian and American. Countries such as Japan, Canada and the countries of the European Space Union also take part, deploy their scientific space equipment and conduct research.
01/28/1998 In Washington, an agreement was finally signed to begin construction of a new long-term, modular architecture, International Space Station, and already on November 2 of the same year, the first one was launched into orbit by a Russian launch vehicle. multifunctional module ISS " Zarya».
(FGB- functional cargo block) - launched into orbit by the Proton-K rocket on November 2, 1998. From the moment the Zarya module was launched into low-Earth orbit, the actual construction of the ISS began, i.e. Assembly of the entire station begins. At the very beginning of construction, this module was necessary as a base module for supplying electricity, maintaining temperature conditions, establishing communications and controlling orientation in orbit, and as a docking module for other modules and ships. It is fundamental for further construction. Currently, Zarya is used mainly as a warehouse, and its engines adjust the altitude of the station's orbit.
The ISS Zarya module consists of two main compartments: a large instrument and cargo compartment and a sealed adapter, separated by a partition with a hatch 0.8 m in diameter. for passage. One part is sealed and contains an instrument and cargo compartment with a volume of 64.5 cubic meters, which, in turn, is divided into an instrument room with on-board systems units and a living area for work. These zones are separated by an interior partition. The sealed adapter compartment is equipped with on-board systems for mechanical docking with other modules.
The unit has three docking gates: active and passive at the ends and one on the side for connection with other modules. There are also antennas for communication, fuel tanks, solar panels, generating energy, and instruments for orientation to the Earth. It has 24 large engines, 12 small ones, and 2 engines for maneuvering and maintaining the desired altitude. This module can independently perform unmanned flights in space.
ISS Unity module (NODE 1 - connecting)
The Unity module is the first American connecting module, which was launched into orbit on December 4, 1998 by the Space Shuttle Endever and docked with Zarya on December 1, 1998. This module has 6 docking gateways for further connection of ISS modules and berthing of spacecraft. It is a corridor between the other modules and their living and working spaces and a place for communications: gas and water pipelines, various systems communications, electrical cables, data transmission and other life-supporting communications.
ISS module "Zvezda" (SM - service module)
The Zvezda module is a Russian module launched into orbit by the Proton spacecraft on July 12, 2000 and docked to Zarya on July 26, 2000. Thanks to this module, already in July 2000, the ISS was able to receive on board the first space crew consisting of Sergei Krikalov, Yuri Gidzenko and American William Shepard.
The block itself consists of 4 compartments: a sealed transition chamber, a sealed working compartment, a sealed intermediate chamber and a non-sealed aggregate chamber. The transition compartment with four windows serves as a corridor for astronauts to move from different modules and compartments and to exit the station into outer space thanks to an airlock with a pressure relief valve installed here. Docking units are attached to the outer part of the compartment: one axial and two lateral. The Zvezda axial unit is connected to the Zarya, and the upper and lower axial units are connected to other modules. Also installed on the outer surface of the compartment are brackets and handrails, new sets of antennas of the Kurs-NA system, docking targets, television cameras, a refueling unit and other units.
The working compartment has a total length of 7.7 m, has 8 portholes and consists of two cylinders of different diameters, equipped with carefully designed means of ensuring work and life. The larger diameter cylinder contains a living area with a volume of 35.1 cubic meters. meters. There are two cabins, a sanitary compartment, a kitchen with a refrigerator and a table for fixing objects, medical equipment and exercise equipment.
The cylinder of smaller diameter contains work zone, in which instruments, equipment and the main station control post are located. There are also control systems, emergency and warning manual control panels.
Intermediate chamber with a volume of 7.0 cubic meters. meters with two windows serves as a transition between the service block and the spacecraft that dock at the stern. The docking station ensures docking Russian ships“Soyuz TM”, “Soyuz TMA”, “Progress M”, “Progress M2”, as well as the European automatic spacecraft ATV.
In the Zvezda assembly compartment there are two correction engines at the stern, and four blocks of attitude control engines on the side. Sensors and antennas are attached to the outside. As you can see, the Zvezda module has taken over some of the functions of the Zarya block.
ISS module "Destiny" translated as "Destiny" (LAB - laboratory)
Module "Destiny" - 02/08/2001 spaceship The Atlantis shuttle was launched into orbit, and on February 10, 2002, the American scientific module Destiny was docked to the ISS at the forward docking port of the Unity module. Astronaut Marsha Ivin removed the module from the Atlantis spacecraft using a 15-meter “arm,” although the gaps between the ship and the module were only five centimeters. It was the first laboratory of the space station and, at one time, its think tank and the largest habitable block. The module was manufactured by the well-known American company Boeing. It consists of three connected cylinders. The ends of the module are made in the form of trimmed cones with sealed hatches that serve as entrances for astronauts. The module itself is intended mainly for scientific research work in medicine, materials science, biotechnology, physics, astronomy and many other fields of science. For this purpose there are 23 units equipped with instruments. They are arranged in groups of six along the sides, six on the ceiling and five blocks on the floor. The supports have routes for pipelines and cables; they connect different racks. The module also has the following life support systems: power supply, a sensor system for monitoring humidity, temperature and air quality. Thanks to this module and the equipment it contains, it became possible to conduct unique research in space on board the ISS in various fields of science.
ISS module "Quest" (A/L - universal airlock)
The Quest module was launched into orbit by the Atlantis Shuttle on 07/12/2001 and docked to the Unity module on 07/15/2001 at the right docking port using the Canadarm 2 manipulator. This unit is primarily designed to provide spacewalks in both Russian-made Orland spacesuits with an oxygen pressure of 0.4 atm, and in American EMU spacesuits with a pressure of 0.3 atm. The fact is that before this representatives space crews Russian spacesuits could only be used to exit the Zarya block, and American ones when exiting through the Shuttle. Reduced pressure in spacesuits is used to make the suits more elastic, which creates significant comfort when moving.
The ISS Quest module consists of two rooms. These are the crew quarters and the equipment room. Crew quarters with a hermetic volume of 4.25 cubic meters. designed for exit into space with hatches provided with comfortable handrails, lighting, and connectors for oxygen supply, water, devices for reducing pressure before exit, etc.
The equipment room is much larger in volume and its size is 29.75 cubic meters. m. It is intended for the necessary equipment for putting on and taking off spacesuits, their storage and denitrogenation of the blood of station employees going into space.
ISS module "Pirs" (CO1 - docking compartment)
The Pirs module was launched into orbit on September 15, 2001 and docked with the Zarya module on September 17, 2001. "Pirs" was launched into space for docking with the ISS as component specialized truck "Progress M-S01". Basically, "Pirs" plays the role of an airlock compartment for two people to go into outer space in Russian spacesuits of the "Orlan-M" type. The second purpose of the Pirs is additional berthing space for spacecraft of such types as Soyuz TM and Progress M trucks. The third purpose of the Pirs is to refuel the tanks of the Russian segments of the ISS with fuel, oxidizer and other propellant components. The dimensions of this module are relatively small: length with docking units is 4.91 m, diameter is 2.55 m and the volume of the sealed compartment is 13 cubic meters. m. In the center, on opposite sides of the sealed body with two circular frames, there are 2 identical hatches with a diameter of 1.0 m with small portholes. This makes it possible to go into space with different sides depending on need. Convenient handrails are provided inside and outside the hatches. Inside there is also equipment, airlock control panels, communications, power supplies, and pipeline routes for fuel transit. Communication antennas, antenna protection screens, and a fuel transfer unit are installed outside.
There are two docking nodes located along the axis: active and passive. The active node "Pirs" is docked with the module "Zarya", and the passive one is connected to opposite side used for mooring spaceships.
ISS module “Harmony”, “Harmony” (Node 2 - connecting)
Module "Harmony" - launched into orbit on October 23, 2007 by the Discovery shuttle from Cape Canavery launch pad 39 and docked on October 26, 2007 with the ISS. "Harmony" was made in Italy for NASA. The docking of the module with the ISS itself was stage-by-stage: first, astronauts of the 16th crew Tani and Wilson temporarily docked the module with the ISS Unity module on the left using the Canadian manipulator Canadarm-2, and after the shuttle departed and the RMA-2 adapter was reinstalled, the module was reinstalled by the operator Tanya was disconnected from Unity and moved to permanent place its deployment to the forward docking port "Destiny". The final installation of "Harmony" was completed on November 14, 2007.
The module has main dimensions: length 7.3 m, diameter 4.4 m, its sealed volume is 75 cubic meters. m. The most important feature of the module is 6 docking nodes for further connections with other modules and construction of the ISS. The nodes are located along the anterior and posterior axis, nadir at the bottom, anti-aircraft at the top and lateral left and right. It should be noted that thanks to the additional hermetic volume created in the module, three additional sleeping places were created for the crew, equipped with all life support systems.
The main purpose of the Harmony module is the role of a connecting node for the further expansion of the International Space Station and, in particular, for creating attachment points and connecting the European Columbus and Japanese Kibo space laboratories to it.
ISS module "Columbus", "Columbus" (COL)
The Columbus module is the first European module launched into orbit by the Atlantis shuttle on 02/07/2008. and installed on the right connecting node of the “Harmony” module 02/12/2008. Columbus was built for the European Space Agency in Italy, whose space agency has extensive experience building pressurized modules for the space station.
"Columbus" is a cylinder 6.9 m long and 4.5 m in diameter, where a laboratory with a volume of 80 cubic meters is located. meters with 10 workplaces. Each workplace is a rack with cells where instruments and equipment for certain studies are located. The racks are each equipped with a separate power supply, computers with the necessary software, communications, an air conditioning system and all the equipment necessary for research. At each workplace, a group of research and experiments are carried out in a certain direction. For example, the Biolab workstation is equipped for conducting experiments in the field of space biotechnology, cell biology, developmental biology, skeletal diseases, neurobiology and preparing humans for long-term interplanetary flights with their life support. There is a device for diagnosing protein crystallization and others. In addition to 10 racks with workstations in the pressurized compartment, there are four more places equipped for scientific space research on the outer open side of the module in space under vacuum conditions. This makes it possible to conduct experiments on the state of bacteria in very extreme conditions, understand the possibility of life appearing on other planets, lead astronomical observations. Thanks to the SOLAR solar instrument complex, solar activity and the degree of exposure of the Sun to our Earth are monitored, and solar radiation is monitored. The Diarad radiometer, along with other space radiometers, measures solar activity. Using the SOLSPEC spectrometer, we study solar spectrum and its light through earth's atmosphere. The uniqueness of the research lies in the fact that it can be carried out simultaneously on the ISS and on Earth, immediately comparing the results. Columbus makes it possible to conduct video conferencing and high-speed data exchange. Monitoring of the module and coordination of work is carried out by the European Space Agency from the Center located in the city of Oberpfaffenhofen, located 60 km from Munich.
ISS module "Kibo" Japanese, translated as "Hope" (JEM-Japanese Experiment Module)
The Kibo module was launched into orbit by the Endeavor shuttle, first with only one part of it on 03/11/2008 and docked with the ISS on 03/14/2008. Despite the fact that Japan has its own spaceport on Tanegashima, due to the lack of delivery ships, Kibo was launched piecemeal from the American spaceport at Cape Canaveral. In general, Kibo is the largest laboratory module on the ISS today. It was developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and consists of four main parts: the PM Science Laboratory, the Experimental Cargo Module (which in turn has an ELM-PS pressurized part and an ELM-ES unpressurized part), the JEMRMS Remote Manipulator and the EF External Unpressurized Platform.
"Sealed Compartment" or Scientific Laboratory of the "Kibo" Module JEM PM- delivered and docked on 07/02/2008 by the Discovery shuttle - this is one of the compartments of the Kibo module, in the form of a sealed cylindrical structure measuring 11.2 m * 4.4 m with 10 universal racks adapted for scientific instruments . Five racks belong to America in payment for delivery, but to carry out scientific experiments any astronauts or cosmonauts can at the request of any countries. Climate parameters: temperature and humidity, air composition and pressure correspond to earthly conditions, which makes it possible to work comfortably in ordinary, familiar clothes and conduct experiments without special conditions. Here in a sealed compartment scientific laboratory Not only are experiments being carried out, but control has also been established over the entire laboratory complex, especially over the devices of the External Experimental Platform.
"Experimental Cargo Bay" ELM- one of the compartments of the Kibo module has a sealed part ELM - PS and a non-sealed part ELM - ES. Its sealed part is connected to the top hatch laboratory module PM and has the shape of a cylinder of 4.2 m with a diameter of 4.4 m. The inhabitants of the station freely pass here from the laboratory, since the climate conditions are the same here. The sealed part is mainly used as an addition to the sealed laboratory and is intended for storing equipment, tools, and experimental results. There are 8 universal racks, which can be used for experiments if necessary. Initially, on 03/14/2008, ELM-PS was docked with the Harmony module, and on 06/06/2008, by astronauts of expedition No. 17, it was reinstalled to its permanent location in the Pressurized compartment of the laboratory.
The leaky part is the outer section of the cargo module and at the same time a component of the “External Experimental Platform”, since it is attached to its end. Its dimensions are: length 4.2 m, width 4.9 m and height 2.2 m. The purpose of this site is the storage of equipment, experimental results, samples and their transportation. This part with the results of experiments and used equipment can be undocked, if necessary, from the unpressurized Kibo platform and delivered to Earth.
"External experimental platform» JEM EF or, as it is also called, “Terrace” - delivered to the ISS on March 12, 2009. and is located immediately behind the laboratory module, representing the leaky part of the “Kibo”, with platform dimensions: 5.6 m length, 5.0 m width and 4.0 m height. Here, various numerous experiments are carried out directly in outer space in different areas of science to study the external influences of space. The platform is located immediately behind the sealed laboratory compartment and is connected to it by an airtight hatch. The manipulator located at the end of the laboratory module can install necessary equipment for experiments and remove unnecessary things from the experimental platform. The platform has 10 experimental compartments, it is well lit and there are video cameras recording everything that happens.
Remote manipulator(JEM RMS) - manipulator or mechanical arm, which is mounted in the bow of the pressurized compartment of the scientific laboratory and serves to move cargo between the experimental cargo compartment and the external unpressurized platform. In general, the arm consists of two parts, a large ten-meter one for heavy loads and a removable short one 2.2 meters long for more precise work. Both types of arms have 6 rotating joints to perform various movements. The main manipulator was delivered in June 2008, and the second in July 2009.
The entire operation of this Japanese Kibo module is managed by the Control Center in the city of Tsukuba, north of Tokyo. Scientific experiments and research conducted in the Kibo laboratory significantly expands the scope scientific activity in space. The modular principle of constructing the laboratory itself and a large number of universal racks provide ample opportunities for constructing a variety of studies.
Racks for conducting bioexperiments are equipped with furnaces with the installation of the necessary temperature conditions, which makes it possible to do experiments on growing various crystals, including biological ones. There are also incubators, aquariums and sterile rooms for animals, fish, amphibians and the cultivation of various plant cells and organisms. The impact on them is being studied various levels radiation. The laboratory is equipped with dosimeters and other state-of-the-art instruments.
ISS module “Poisk” (MIM2 small research module)
The Poisk module is a Russian module launched into orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on a Soyuz-U launch vehicle and delivered specially upgraded cargo ship module "Progress M-MIM2" on November 10, 2009 and was docked to the upper anti-aircraft docking port of the "Zvezda" module two days later, on November 12, 2009. The docking was carried out only using the Russian manipulator, abandoning Canadarm2, since they were not with the Americans financial issues have been resolved. “Poisk” was developed and built in Russia by RSC “Energia” on the basis of the previous module “Pirs” with the completion of all shortcomings and significant improvements. "Search" has cylindrical shape with dimensions: 4.04 m long and 2.5 m in diameter. It has two docking units, active and passive, located along the longitudinal axis, and on the left and right sides there are two hatches with small windows and handrails for going into outer space. In general, it is almost like “Pierce”, but more advanced. In its space there are two workstations for conducting scientific tests, there are mechanical adapters with the help of which the necessary equipment is installed. Inside the pressurized compartment there is a volume of 0.2 cubic meters. m. for instruments, and a universal workplace was created on the outside of the module.
In general, this multifunctional module is intended: for additional docking points with the Soyuz and Progress spacecraft, for providing additional spacewalks, for housing scientific equipment and conducting scientific tests inside and outside the module, for refueling from transport ships and, ultimately, this module should take over the functions of the Zvezda service module.
ISS module “Transquility” or “Tranquility” (NODE3)
The Transquility module - an American connecting habitable module was launched into orbit on 02/08/2010 from the launch pad LC-39 (Kennedy Space Center) by the Endeavor shuttle and docked with the ISS on 08/10/2010 to the Unity module. Tranquility, commissioned by NASA, was manufactured in Italy. The module was named after the Sea of Tranquility on the Moon, where the first astronaut landed from Apollo 11. With the advent of this module, life on the ISS has truly become calmer and much more comfortable. Firstly, an internal useful volume of 74 cubic meters was added, the length of the module was 6.7 m with a diameter of 4.4 m. The dimensions of the module made it possible to create in it the most modern system life support, starting from the toilet, and to ensuring and controlling the highest levels of inhaled air. There are 16 racks with various equipment for air circulation systems, purification systems for removing contaminants from it, systems for processing liquid waste into water, and other systems to create a comfortable environmental environment for life on the ISS. The module provides everything down to the smallest detail, equipped with exercise equipment, all kinds of holders for objects, all conditions for work, training and relaxation. Except high system life support, the design provides 6 docking nodes: two axial and 4 lateral for docking with spacecraft and improving the ability to reinstall modules in various combinations. The Dome module is attached to one of the Tranquility docking stations for a wide panoramic view.
ISS module "Dome" (cupola)
The Dome module was delivered to the ISS together with the Tranquility module and, as mentioned above, docked with its lower connecting node. This is the smallest module of the ISS with dimensions of 1.5 m in height and 2 m in diameter. But there are 7 windows that allow you to observe both the work on the ISS and the Earth. Workplaces for monitoring and controlling the Canadarm-2 manipulator, as well as monitoring systems for station modes, are equipped here. The portholes, made of 10 cm quartz glass, are arranged in the form of a dome: in the center there is a large round one with a diameter of 80 cm and around it there are 6 trapezoidal ones. This place is also a favorite place to relax.
ISS module "Rassvet" (MIM 1)
Module "Rassvet" - 05/14/2010 launched into orbit and delivered by the American shuttle "Atlantis" and docked with the ISS with the nadir docking port "Zarya" on 05/18/2011. This is the first Russian module that was delivered to the ISS not by a Russian spacecraft, but by an American one. The docking of the module was carried out by American astronauts Garrett Reisman and Piers Sellers within three hours. The module itself, like previous modules of the Russian segment of the ISS, was manufactured in Russia by the Energia Rocket and Space Corporation. The module is very similar to previous Russian modules, but with significant improvements. It has five workplaces: a glove box, low-temperature and high-temperature biothermostats, a vibration-proof platform, and a universal workplace with the necessary equipment for scientific and applied research. The module has dimensions of 6.0 m by 2.2 m and is intended, in addition to carrying out research work in the fields of biotechnology and materials science, for additional storage of cargo, for the possibility of use as a berthing port for spacecraft and for additional refueling of the station. As part of the Rassvet module, an airlock chamber, an additional radiator-heat exchanger, a portable workstation and a spare element of the ERA robotic manipulator for the future scientific laboratory Russian module were sent.
Multifunctional module "Leonardo" (RMM-permanent multipurpose module)
The Leonardo module was launched into orbit and delivered by the Discovery shuttle on 05/24/10 and docked to the ISS on 03/01/2011. This module formerly belonged to three multi-purpose logistics modules, Leonardo, Raffaello and Donatello, manufactured in Italy to deliver necessary cargo to the ISS. They carried cargo and were delivered by the Discovery and Atlantis shuttles, docking with the Unity module. But the Leonardo module was re-equipped with the installation of life support systems, power supply, thermal control, fire extinguishing, data transmission and processing and, starting in March 2011, began to be part of the ISS as a baggage Sealed multifunctional module for permanent cargo placement. The module has dimensions of a cylindrical part of 4.8 m by a diameter of 4.57 m with an internal living volume of 30.1 cubic meters. meters and serves as a good additional volume for the American segment of the ISS.
ISS Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM)
The BEAM module is an American experimental inflatable module created by Bigelow Aerospace. The head of the company, Robber Bigelow, is a billionaire in the hotel system and at the same time a passionate fan of space. The company is engaged space tourism. Robber Bigelow's dream is a hotel system in space, on the Moon and Mars. The creation of an inflatable housing and hotel complex in space turned out to be great idea which has a number of advantages over modules made of heavy iron rigid structures. Inflatable modules of the BEAM type are much lighter, small-sized for transportation and much more economical in financially. NASA deservedly appreciated this company's idea and in December 2012 signed a contract with the company for 17.8 million to create an inflatable module for the ISS, and in 2013 a contract was signed with Sierra Nevada Corporatio to create a docking mechanism for Beam and the ISS. In 2015, the BEAM module was built and on April 16, 2016 the spacecraft private company SpaceX Dragon, in its container in the cargo bay, delivered it to the ISS where it was successfully docked behind the Tranquility module. On the ISS, the cosmonauts deployed the module, inflated it with air, checked it for leaks, and on June 6, American ISS astronaut Jeffrey Williams and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka entered it and installed all the necessary equipment there. The BEAM module on the ISS, when expanded, is an interior room without windows measuring up to 16 cubic meters. Its dimensions are 5.2 meters in diameter and 6.5 meters in length. Weight 1360 kg. The module body consists of 8 air tanks made of metal bulkheads, an aluminum folding structure and several layers of strong elastic fabric located at a certain distance from each other. Inside, the module, as mentioned above, was equipped with the necessary research equipment. The pressure is set to the same as on the ISS. BEAM is planned to remain on the space station for 2 years and will be largely closed, with astronauts only visiting it to check for leaks and its general structural integrity in space conditions only 4 times a year. In 2 years, I plan to undock the BEAM module from the ISS, after which it will burn up in the outer layers of the atmosphere. The main purpose of the presence of the BEAM module on the ISS is to test its design for strength, tightness and operation in harsh space conditions. Over the course of 2 years, it is planned to test its protection against radiation and other types of cosmic radiation and its resistance to small space debris. Since in the future it is planned to use inflatable modules for astronauts to live in, the results of the maintenance conditions comfortable conditions(temperature, pressure, air, tightness) will answer questions about further development and structure of such modules. Bigelow Aerospace is currently developing next option a similar, but already residential inflatable module with windows and a much larger volume “B-330”, which can be used on the Lunar space station and on Mars.
Today, anyone on Earth can look at the ISS in the night sky with the naked eye, like a luminous moving star moving with angular velocity about 4 degrees per minute. Highest value her magnitude observed from 0m to -04m. The ISS moves around the Earth and at the same time makes one revolution every 90 minutes or 16 revolutions per day. The height of the ISS above the Earth is approximately 410-430 km, but due to friction in the remnants of the atmosphere, due to the influence of the Earth's gravitational forces, to avoid a dangerous collision with space debris and for successful docking with delivery ships, the height of the ISS is constantly adjusted. Altitude adjustment occurs using the engines of the Zarya module. The initially planned service life of the station was 15 years, and has now been extended until approximately 2020.
Based on materials from http://www.mcc.rsa.ru
The International Space Station (ISS) is a large-scale and, perhaps, the most complex in its organization implementation technical project throughout the history of mankind. Every day, hundreds of specialists around the world work to ensure that the ISS can fully fulfill its main function - to be a scientific platform for studying the boundless space and, of course, our planet.
When you watch the news about the ISS, many questions arise regarding how the space station can generally operate in extreme conditions of space, how it flies in orbit and does not fall, how people can live in it without suffering from high temperatures and solar radiation.
Having studied this topic and having collected all the information into a pile, I must admit, instead of answers, I received even more questions.
At what altitude does the ISS fly?
The ISS flies in the thermosphere at an altitude of approximately 400 km from the Earth (for information, the distance from the Earth to the Moon is approximately 370 thousand km). The thermosphere itself is an atmospheric layer, which, in fact, is not yet quite space. This layer extends from the Earth to a distance of 80 km to 800 km.
The peculiarity of the thermosphere is that the temperature increases with height and can fluctuate significantly. Above 500 km, the level of solar radiation increases, which can easily damage equipment and negatively affect the health of astronauts. Therefore, the ISS does not rise above 400 km.
This is what the ISS looks like from Earth
What is the temperature outside the ISS?
There is very little information on this topic. Different sources say differently. They say that at a level of 150 km the temperature can reach 220-240°, and at a level of 200 km more than 500°. Above that, the temperature continues to rise and at the level of 500-600 km it supposedly already exceeds 1500°.
According to the cosmonauts themselves, at an altitude of 400 km, at which the ISS flies, the temperature is constantly changing depending on the light and shadow conditions. When the ISS is in the shade, the temperature outside drops to -150°, and if it is in direct sunlight, the temperature rises to +150°. And it’s not even a steam room in a bathhouse anymore! How can astronauts even be in such a temperature? outer space? Is it really a super thermal suit that saves them?
An astronaut's work in outer space at +150°
What is the temperature inside the ISS?
In contrast to the temperature outside, inside the ISS it is possible to maintain a stable temperature suitable for human life - approximately +23°. Moreover, how this is done is completely unclear. If it is, for example, +150° outside, how is it possible to cool the temperature inside the station or vice versa and constantly keep it normal?
How does radiation affect astronauts on the ISS?
At an altitude of 400 km background radiation hundreds of times higher than on Earth. Therefore, astronauts on the ISS, when they find themselves on the sunny side, receive radiation levels that are several times higher than the dose received, for example, from x-rays chest. And during moments of powerful solar flares, station workers can take a dose 50 times higher than the norm. How do they manage to work in such conditions? long time, also remains a mystery.
How does it affect cosmic dust and debris on the ISS?
According to NASA, there are about 500 thousand large debris in low-Earth orbit (parts of spent stages or other parts of spaceships and rockets) and it is still unknown how much similar small debris. All this “good” rotates around the Earth at a speed of 28 thousand km/h and for some reason is not attracted to the Earth.
In addition, there is cosmic dust - these are all kinds of meteorite fragments or micrometeorites that are constantly attracted by the planet. Moreover, even if a speck of dust weighs only 1 gram, it turns into an armor-piercing projectile capable of making a hole in the station.
They say that if such objects approach the ISS, the astronauts change the course of the station. But small debris or dust cannot be tracked, so it turns out that the ISS is constantly exposed to great danger. How the astronauts cope with this is again unclear. It turns out that every day they greatly risk their lives.
Hole in shuttle Endeavor STS-118 from being hit space debris looks like a bullet hole
Why doesn't the ISS fall?
IN various sources write that the ISS does not fall due to the weak gravity of the Earth and escape velocity stations. That is, rotating around the Earth at a speed of 7.6 km/s (for information, the period of revolution of the ISS around the Earth is only 92 minutes 37 seconds), the ISS seems to constantly miss and does not fall. In addition, the ISS has engines that allow it to constantly adjust the position of the 400-ton colossus.
The International Space Station is a manned orbital station of the Earth, the fruit of the work of fifteen countries, hundreds of billions of dollars and a dozen service personnel in the form of astronauts and cosmonauts who regularly travel aboard the ISS. The International Space Station is such a symbolic outpost of humanity in space, the farthest point of permanent residence of people in airless space (there are no colonies on Mars yet, of course). The ISS was launched in 1998 as a sign of reconciliation between countries that were trying to develop their own orbital stations (and this was short-lived) during cold war, and will work until 2024 if nothing changes. Experiments are regularly conducted on board the ISS, which yield fruits that are certainly significant for science and space exploration.
Scientists were given a rare opportunity to see how conditions on the International Space Station affected gene expression by comparing identical twin astronauts: one who spent about a year in space, the other who remained on Earth. on the space station caused changes in gene expression through the process of epigenetics. NASA scientists already know that astronauts will be exposed to physical stress in different ways.
Volunteers try to live on Earth as astronauts while training for manned missions, but are met with isolation, restrictions and terrible food. After spending almost a year without fresh air in the cramped, zero-gravity environment of the International Space Station, they looked exceptionally well when they returned to Earth last spring. They completed a 340-day mission in orbit, one of the longest in history. latest development space.
One of humanity's greatest assets is the International Space Station, or ISS. Several states united to create it and operate it in orbit: Russia, some European countries, Canada, Japan and the USA. This apparatus shows that much can be achieved if countries constantly cooperate. Everyone on the planet knows about this station and many people ask questions about at what altitude the ISS flies and in what orbit. How many astronauts have been there? Is it true that tourists are allowed there? And this is not all that is interesting to humanity.
Station structure
The ISS consists of fourteen modules, which house laboratories, warehouses, rest rooms, bedrooms, and utility rooms. The station even has a gym with exercise equipment. This entire complex runs on solar panels. They are huge, the size of a stadium.
Facts about the ISS
During its operation, the station aroused a lot of admiration. This apparatus is the greatest achievement of human minds. In its design, purpose and features, it can be called perfection. Of course, maybe in 100 years they will start building spaceships of a different type on Earth, but for now, today, this device is the property of humanity. This is evidenced by the following facts about the ISS:
- During its existence, about two hundred astronauts visited the ISS. There were also tourists here who simply came to look at the Universe from orbital heights.
- The station is visible from Earth with the naked eye. This design is the largest among artificial satellites, and can be easily seen from the surface of the planet without any magnifying device. There are maps on which you can see what time and when the device flies over cities. It's easy to find information about your locality: See the flight schedule over the region.
- To assemble the station and maintain it in working order, the astronauts went into outer space more than 150 times, spending about a thousand hours there.
- The device is controlled by six astronauts. The life support system ensures the continuous presence of people at the station from the moment it was first launched.
- The International Space Station is a unique place where a variety of laboratory experiments. Scientists make unique discoveries in the fields of medicine, biology, chemistry and physics, physiology and meteorological observations, as well as in other fields of science.
- The device uses giant solar panels the size of a football field with its end zones. Their weight is almost three hundred thousand kilograms.
- The batteries are capable of fully ensuring the operation of the station. Their work is carefully monitored.
- The station has a mini-house equipped with two bathrooms and a gym.
- The flight is monitored from Earth. Programs consisting of millions of lines of code have been developed for control.
Astronauts
Since December 2017, the ISS crew consists of the following astronomers and cosmonauts:
- Anton Shkaplerov - commander of ISS-55. He visited the station twice - in 2011-2012 and in 2014-2015. During 2 flights he lived at the station for 364 days.
- Skeet Tingle - flight engineer, NASA astronaut. This astronaut has no space flight experience.
- Norishige Kanai - flight engineer, Japanese astronaut.
- Alexander Misurkin. Its first flight was made in 2013, lasting 166 days.
- Macr Vande Hai has no flying experience.
- Joseph Akaba. The first flight was made in 2009 as part of Discovery, and the second flight was carried out in 2012.
Earth from space
There are unique views of Earth from space. This is evidenced by photographs and videos of astronauts and cosmonauts. You can see the work of the station and space landscapes if you watch online broadcasts from the ISS station. However, some cameras are turned off due to maintenance work.
This spring, the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, successfully docked to the ISS and thereby launched the 36th space expedition. During the expedition (166 days), the ISS orbited the planet 2500 times! Inside you will see footage from on board the ISS, photographs from space and, of course, the descent.
At a traditional press conference, Baikonur, May 27, 2013. Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin (center), NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg (right) and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano went into orbit. Fedor Yurchikhin is the most experienced member of the team; this flight was already his fourth.
Flight engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA watches Soyuz TMA-09M arrive at the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad by train.
A funny tradition - the blessing of a spaceship on launch pad Baikonur, May 27, 2013.
Go! The launch of the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, May 29, 2013. The launch took place from site No. 1, or “Gagarin launch”. The docking of the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft with the ISS took place on May 29 at 06:16 Moscow time in fully automatic mode.
Alaska. View from orbit, May 2013.
Preparing for a spacewalk. On the left is cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin, putting on a spacesuit. ISS, June 21, 2013.
Italian ESA cosmonaut Luca Salvo Parmitano inside the “Dome” (Italian cupola) - a module of the International Space Station, which is a panoramic observation dome consisting of seven transparent windows. Designed to monitor the Earth's surface, outer space and people or equipment working in outer space.
The program included about 50 experiments, most of which were started in previous expeditions. Among them, for example, is the “Endurance” experiment - astronauts study the influence of outer space on the mechanical properties of materials. Astronauts also study immune responses in humans during space flight.
The Albert Einstein, a European unmanned cargo spacecraft named after physicist Albert Einstein, is approaching the ISS. On board it delivered more than 6.5 tons of cargo, including: water, oxygen, food, and experimental equipment. The docking took place on June 15, 2013.
And this, by the way, is the launch of the Albert Einstein cargo ship on June 5, 2013 using the Ariane-5ES heavy-class launch vehicle from Guiana space center to Kura.
The space cargo ship Albert Einstein approaches the ISS.
Robonaut is a humanoid robot developed by NASA and General Motors. The robot is a legless humanoid figure, whose head is painted gold and its torso is white. The robonaut's hands have five fingers with joints similar to those of humans. The machine can write, grab and fold objects, and hold heavy things, for example, a dumbbell weighing 9 kg. The robot does not yet have the lower half of its body.
Japanese space truck HTV-4 "Konotori-4" approaches the International Space Station, August 9, 2013.
Fixed cameras aboard the ISS photographed the Japanese HTV-4 truck as it entered Earth's atmosphere on September 7, 2013.
Expedition 36 to the ISS ends. The photo shows the descent module with astronauts, September 11, 2013.
Russian search and rescue helicopters are flying to meet the crew.
And now the descent capsule with participants of the 36th expedition to the ISS successfully landed in Kazakhstan. Returned to Earth Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin and NASA astronaut Christopher Cassidy
Landing of the lander in the steppe of Kazakhstan
Commander of the 36th expedition to the ISS Pavel Vinogradov after returning to Earth
