Universal Docking Module
Encyclopedia
The Nodal Module 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.
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.
, to be jointly built by RKK Energia
and Khrunichev. The original design resembled the Functional Cargo Block
albeit larger, and would have it docked to the nadir
(Earth-facing) Zvezda service module docking port, and have four docking ports to accommodate the two Russian Research Module
s and the SO2 docking compartment. Because the SO2 and a Research Module were cancelled due to lack of funds, this module was also cancelled. The one remaining Research Module was then scheduled to be fitted to the open docking port on Zvezda. Later it was also cancelled and that port was allocated to the Docking Cargo Module. DCM scheduled location was later moved to Zarya.
In the current plans the Zvezda nadir location is scheduled to be used by the Multipurpose Laboratory Module
(MLM). Additionally the SO2 was put back in the plans, but relocated to Zvezda zenith location (the location for the canceled SPP
).
components, again added the UM to the future configuration of the ISS. The proposal is to execute a similar to the original ISS plan with the addition of a Nodal Module (significant modification of the UDM design - to increase the number of docking ports from 4 to 6 and to take into account its location at MLM nadir - at the same time with reducing its weight from 20t to 4t and removing the additional life-support system) and two additional science/energy modules to the segment around 2013-2015. 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 (Science-Power Module-1 and Science-Power Module-2), to the Russian segment, which were intended to replace a canceled Science Power Platform
, NEP. However more importantly, this 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 Nodal 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 Nodal 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.
Images
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...
(RS or ROS) 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) 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
Soyuz-TMA
The Soyuz-TMA is a recent revision of the Soyuz spacecraft, superseded in 2010 by the Soyuz TMA-M..It is used by the Russian Federal Space Agency for human spaceflight...
and Progress M spacecraft. NM is to be incorporated into ISS in 2012.
Launch
The Nodal 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 Nodal 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 KursKurs (docking system)
Kurs is a radio telemetry system used by the Soviet and later Russian space program.Kurs was developed by the Research Institute of Precision Instruments before 1985 and manufactured by the Kiev Radio Factory .- History :...
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.
Initial plans
The Universal Docking Module (UDM) was a planned Russian docking module for the International Space StationInternational 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...
, to be jointly built by RKK Energia
S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia
OAO S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia , also known as RKK Energiya, is a Russian manufacturer of spacecraft and space station components...
and Khrunichev. The original design resembled the Functional Cargo Block
Zarya
Zarya , also known as the Functional Cargo Block or FGB , was the first module of the International Space Station to be launched. The FGB provided electrical power, storage, propulsion, and guidance to the ISS during the initial stage of assembly...
albeit larger, and would have it docked to the nadir
Nadir
The nadir is the direction pointing directly below a particular location; that is, it is one of two vertical directions at a specified location, orthogonal to a horizontal flat surface there. Since the concept of being below is itself somewhat vague, scientists define the nadir in more rigorous...
(Earth-facing) Zvezda service module docking port, and have four docking ports to accommodate the two Russian Research Module
Russian Research Module
The Russian Research Module was to be a Russian component of the International Space Station that provided facilities for Russian science experiments and research...
s and the SO2 docking compartment. Because the SO2 and a Research Module were cancelled due to lack of funds, this module was also cancelled. The one remaining Research Module was then scheduled to be fitted to the open docking port on Zvezda. Later it was also cancelled and that port was allocated to the Docking Cargo Module. DCM scheduled location was later moved to Zarya.
In the current plans the Zvezda nadir location is scheduled to be used by the 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...
(MLM). Additionally the SO2 was put back in the plans, but relocated to Zvezda zenith location (the location for the canceled SPP
Science Power Platform
The Science Power Platform was a planned Russian element of the International Space Station that was intended to be delivered to the ISS by a Russian Proton rocket or Zenit rocket but was shifted to launch by Space Shuttle as part as a tradeoff agreement on other parts of the ISS...
).
Current proposal
In the mid-2000s, RKK Energia, the manufacturer of the ROSRussian 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, again added the UM to the future configuration of the ISS. The proposal is to execute a similar to the original ISS plan with the addition of a Nodal Module (significant modification of the UDM design - to increase the number of docking ports from 4 to 6 and to take into account its location at MLM nadir - at the same time with reducing its weight from 20t to 4t and removing the additional life-support system) and two additional science/energy modules to the segment around 2013-2015. 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 (Science-Power Module-1 and Science-Power Module-2), to the Russian segment, which were intended to replace a canceled Science Power Platform
Science Power Platform
The Science Power Platform was a planned Russian element of the International Space Station that was intended to be delivered to the ISS by a Russian Proton rocket or Zenit rocket but was shifted to launch by Space Shuttle as part as a tradeoff agreement on other parts of the ISS...
, NEP. However more importantly, this 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 Nodal 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
Space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
, 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 Nodal 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.
External links
- NASA assembly sequence - Updated December 8, 2006
- Space Events diary July-September 2001 .pdf - There is a paragraph stating the UDM was cancelled and to be replaced with the 70% complete FGB-2, with modifications
- FGB-2 module - An article written in Aug. 10, 2001, discussing the plans for UDM and FGB-2
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See also
- Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment ComplexOrbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment ComplexThe Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment Complex ' is the planned Russian successor to the International Space Station, with the main goal of supporting deep space exploration.-Overview:...
- proposed separation of parts of ROS