Science Power Platform
Encyclopedia
The Science Power Platform (SPP) was a planned Russia
n element of the International Space Station
(ISS) that was intended to be delivered to the ISS by a Russian Proton rocket or Zenit rocket (it was originally designed to be part of Mir-2
) but was shifted to launch by Space Shuttle
as part as a tradeoff agreement on other parts of the ISS. It would have provided additional power for the ISS as well as roll axis control capability for the orbital facility. The SPP would have had eight solar arrays and a robotic arm provided by the European Space Agency
(ESA) dedicated to maintaining the SPP. The robotic arm (European Robotic Arm
) is still going to be part of the station, now scheduled to fly alongside the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module
by a Russian Proton rocket in 2012. If the Science Power Platform had been delivered to the ISS, it would have been attached to the zenith port of Zvezda, a position already occupied by MRM-2.
An agreement was reached in March 2006 by the Russians and NASA in order to provide part of the power the Russian segments need from the four American solar arrays. Originally the SPP should have made the power supply of the four Russian modules independent from the power supply of the rest of the station. The already-made pressurised hull of a static test article for this component is now being used for the Russian Mini Research Module 1
, which launched on STS-132
in 2010. MRM1 is docked to the Zarya nadir port.
RKK Energia, the manufacturer of the ROS
components, has proposed to execute something similar to the original ISS plan with the addition of a Nodal Module (with six docking ports) and two additional science/energy modules to the segment around 2013-2015. The science/power modules would have solar arrays similar to the SPP, but unlike it the truss structure
would be much smaller.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n element of the International Space Station
International Space Station
The International Space Station is a habitable, artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The ISS follows the Salyut, Almaz, Cosmos, Skylab, and Mir space stations, as the 11th space station launched, not including the Genesis I and II prototypes...
(ISS) that was intended to be delivered to the ISS by a Russian Proton rocket or Zenit rocket (it was originally designed to be part of Mir-2
Mir-2
Mir-2 was a space station project begun in February 1976. Some of the modules built for Mir-2 have been incorporated into the International Space Station . The project underwent many changes, but was always based on the DOS-8 base block space station core module, built as a back-up to the DOS-7...
) but was shifted to launch by Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
as part as a tradeoff agreement on other parts of the ISS. It would have provided additional power for the ISS as well as roll axis control capability for the orbital facility. The SPP would have had eight solar arrays and a robotic arm provided by the European Space Agency
European Space Agency
The European Space Agency , established in 1975, is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 18 member states...
(ESA) dedicated to maintaining the SPP. The robotic arm (European Robotic Arm
European Robotic Arm
The European Robotic Arm is a robotic arm to be attached to the Russian Segment of the International Space Station. It will be the first robot arm able to work on the Russian space station segments, and will supplement the two Russian Strela cargo cranes that are already installed on the Pirs...
) is still going to be part of the station, now scheduled to fly alongside the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module
Multipurpose Laboratory Module
Nauka , also known as the Multipurpose Laboratory Module , , will be a component of the International Space Station , funded by the Russian Federal Space Agency. In the original ISS plans, Nauka was to use the location of the Docking and Stowage Module...
by a Russian Proton rocket in 2012. If the Science Power Platform had been delivered to the ISS, it would have been attached to the zenith port of Zvezda, a position already occupied by MRM-2.
An agreement was reached in March 2006 by the Russians and NASA in order to provide part of the power the Russian segments need from the four American solar arrays. Originally the SPP should have made the power supply of the four Russian modules independent from the power supply of the rest of the station. The already-made pressurised hull of a static test article for this component is now being used for the Russian Mini Research Module 1
Rassvet (ISS module)
Rassvet , also known as the Mini-Research Module 1 and formerly known as the Docking Cargo Module , is a component of the International Space Station . The module's design is similar to the Mir Docking Module launched on STS-74 in 1995. Rassvet is primarily used for cargo storage and as a docking...
, which launched on STS-132
STS-132
STS-132 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission, during which Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the International Space Station on 16 May 2010. STS-132 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on 14 May 2010. The primary payload was the Russian Rassvet Mini-Research Module, along with an Integrated...
in 2010. MRM1 is docked to the Zarya nadir port.
RKK Energia, the manufacturer of the ROS
Russian Orbital Segment
The Russian Orbital Segment is the name given to the components of the International Space Station constructed in Russia and operated by the Russian Federal Space Agency...
components, has proposed to execute something similar to the original ISS plan with the addition of a Nodal Module (with six docking ports) and two additional science/energy modules to the segment around 2013-2015. The science/power modules would have solar arrays similar to the SPP, but unlike it the truss structure
Integrated Truss Structure
the Integrated Truss Structure forms the backbone of the International Space Station, with mountings for unpressurized logistics carriers, radiators, solar arrays, and other equipment.-History:...
would be much smaller.