The head of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, said that within eight days they will work with the module, preparing for rendezvous and docking with the ISS
MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. The multi-purpose laboratory module "Nauka", which was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on Wednesday, is in the calculated orbit. This was announced by the general director of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin.
"The launch of "Proton" with "Science" is regular. The 20-ton module is [located] in the calculated orbit. We will work with him for eight days, preparing the rendezvous and docking with the ISS, " Rogozin wrote in his Telegram channel.
Rogozin told reporters that the Nauka module will be fully integrated into the ISS for up to eight months.
"We are planning up to 10 spacewalks, extravehicular activities for the full adaptation of the module with the Russian segment. In general, after docking, it will already begin to perform its functionality. Then it will simply increase to 100%. It will probably take six to eight months, " he said.
The Proton-M rocket with the multi-purpose laboratory module (MLM) Nauka was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome at 17:58 Moscow time. As Rogozin said during the withdrawal, the Barnaul station temporarily did not receive telemetry.
The module "Science" is intended for the implementation of the Russian program of scientific and applied research and experiments. After the MLM is put into operation, the Russian segment will receive additional volumes for the arrangement of workplaces and cargo storage, the placement of equipment for the regeneration of water and oxygen. With Nauka, Russian cosmonauts should get a second toilet, a cabin for a third crew member, as well as a European ERA manipulator, which will allow them to perform some work without going into outer space. Nauka will deliver water containers, handrails, fans, cables and other cargo to the ISS.
