A quarter of a century ago, Zarya, the first module of the International Space Station, was launched into Earth orbit. The General Director of the Khrunichev Center, Alexey Brewho, told us about the past, present and future of this largest space project.
— This year, the first module of the International Space Station (ISS) "Zarya" turns 25 years old. What does the staff of JSC "Khrunichev State Scientific Research Center" feel about such a significant anniversary? How does the company celebrate this important date?
— I am sure that the staff of the Khrunichev Center feels a sense of pride and deep satisfaction for the fulfillment of the colossal task that was assigned to our enterprise. I would like to remind you a little about the history of the creation of the "Dawn" and the beginning of the construction of the ISS.
On November 20, 1998, the specialists of the Khrunichev Center with the help of our reliable Proton (heavy-class launch vehicle — approx. TASS) carried out the launch of the first ISS module. This event, of course, was preceded by the hard work of the team of the M.V. Khrunichev State Scientific Research Center and the cooperation of more than one hundred and fifty related enterprises. The order for the creation of the first module was received not by an administrative decision, but as a result of a competition between Russian and US enterprises, such as RSC Energia, Boeing and Lockheed, as part of joint work on the creation of the ISS.
The decision was made taking into account the vast experience of the Khrunichev Space Center in designing and manufacturing heavy transport ships and scientific modules under the Almaz, Salyut and Mir programs. The financing of the program for the creation of the first module, which was given the name "Zarya", was carried out by the Russian Space Agency and NASA.
Since August 1993, work has been carried out to determine the appearance of the ISS and the requirements for the first module of the station. The contract with Boeing for the supply of the first module was concluded in August 1995. Just imagine, in just three years, the Zarya module was developed, manufactured and successfully put into orbit, which has been in regular operation for 25 years, performing important functions for controlling the station's flight, supplying cargo and placing the crew at the initial stage, storing and supplying fuel to maintain the station's orbit throughout service life.
Therefore, of course, I want to emphasize once again: the staff of the Khrunichev Center, who participated in the development of the proposal for the appearance of the ISS and the creation of the first module, are satisfied with the result of many years of continuous operation of the module as part of the ISS for 25 years.
We can say that we celebrate the flight of the Zarya module every five years by holding technical conferences at which the results are summed up, the operational experience is evaluated and measures for safe operation in the future are proposed. Specialists of related enterprises, as well as representatives of foreign agencies and companies are invited to such conferences. A meeting dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the launch and successful operation of the station will be held at the Khrunichev State Scientific Research Center this year.
— What was the most difficult stage of the station's creation?
— According to experts, the most difficult and stressful stage was the development, manufacture, testing and launch of the Zarya module. This is due to the fact that at that time there were significant structural changes in the space industry, the closure of a number of enterprises and the optimization of personnel. In addition, it was required to do the work in an extremely short time. The Khrunichev Center was responsible for the timely start of construction and maintaining a busy schedule for the assembly of the station modules. This initial period was also difficult because, due to the delay in the delivery of subsequent modules of the station, the autonomous flight of the Dawn was significantly increased, up to a year and a half, during which multiple docking with the space shuttle Space Shuttle was carried out.
— In 2019, JSC "Khrunichev State Scientific Research Center" reported that, taking into account planned replacements, the equipment of the Zarya module is planned to be operated until 2028, twice as long as the originally planned period of 15 years. Does the company still adhere to this goal?
— After the accident of the American shuttle Columbia in 2003, it became clear that the assembly of the station was delayed and it was necessary to begin work on assessing the possibility of extending the operation of the first module after 15 years. Such work has been carried out for more than six years. To confirm this possibility, numerous analytical works and resource tests of special bench products, individual units and components were carried out. As a result, conclusions were prepared on the operation of the "Dawn" in terms of non-replaceable equipment until 2028 inclusive. As for the replaced equipment, a lot of work has been done to order and supply the necessary equipment for replacement.
— Hypothetically, how many years after 2028 will it be possible to maintain the Zarya module in good, functional condition? Will it be more difficult than maintaining the health of the other modules? If so, how much?
— The American Unity module has a similar age, which was launched into orbit on December 4, 1998 and docked with the help of a shuttle to the Zarya module. The remaining modules are one and a half or more years younger than these modules. Currently, the condition of the module's non-replaceable design is constantly monitored and the previously manufactured replacement equipment is maintained in working condition. We are optimistic about the possibility of extending the operation of the first module, if such a task is set.
— Almost two and a half years have passed since the launch of the MLM "Nauka", also built in JSC "State Scientific Research Center named after M.V. Khrunichev". In your opinion, does the module meet expectations?
— The Nauka module has become the third large module in the Russian segment of the ISS. He significantly increased the possibilities for conducting the Russian program of scientific and applied research on board the station. MLM has made the Russian segment noticeably more spacious. It includes a crew cabin, toilet and other life support facilities that have improved the working and rest conditions of the Russian crew. The cosmonauts have mastered and operate a remote-controlled manipulator located on the Nauka module to perform work outside the sealed compartment of the module. In our opinion, the commissioning of "Science" was a long-awaited event and justified the expectations associated with it.
— Does JSC "Khrunichev State Scientific Research Center" participate in the work of the commission to find out the reasons for the depressurization of the radiator-heat exchanger on the Nauka module?
— It should be noted that the radiator-heat exchanger is optional for the MLM temperature control system. It was designed and manufactured by RSC Energia, delivered to the station and stored there since 2010, and after the MLM docked with the ISS, it was transferred to this module.
As always, when creating a commission to review emergency situations, the staff of the SCNPC participate as experts in finding the causes and eliminating emergency situations together with representatives of RSC Energia as the parent organization of Russia for the ISS.
— At the moment, Russia does not plan to launch more modules to the ISS, focusing rather on creating its own orbital station. What do you think awaits the ISS in the next 5-10 years?
— We believe that over the next five or more years, the ISS will be operated in accordance with the plans for the scientific use of the Russian segment.
— How is the cooperation with Boeing on the operation of the Zarya module going? Are there any difficulties in fulfilling mutual obligations?
— Cooperation with Boeing has been going on for more than 28 years, and there are no difficulties in fulfilling mutual obligations. Based on the results of joint work, the relevant Boeing services have repeatedly awarded the Khrunichev Center the title of "The Best Supplier of Boeing for the creation and operation of the ISS".
— In general, what kind of work is currently being carried out in this direction with and without Boeing? How intensively are they conducted?
— The maintenance of the module in working condition is currently being carried out in two directions. Under contracts with Boeing — in terms of the supply of the necessary planned replacement equipment, as well as the modernization of the design and systems of the module, expanding the functionality and contributing to the safe operation of the module. Under contracts with NASA, work is being carried out on engineering support and maintenance of the operation of the "Dawn". The work is carried out on a regular basis with quarterly reviews of the program and weekly teleconferences.
— The United States of America has imposed sanctions on many enterprises of the Russian rocket and space industry, but these sanctions do not affect the ISS program. What do you think this is related to? Is it worth waiting for such restrictions from the West?
— The sanctions do not affect the ISS program, and this is due to the fact that the safety of operation of both the Russian and American segments and the ISS as a whole depends on the functioning of enterprises engaged in the ISS program.
— JSC "Khrunichev State Space Research Center" has expressed its readiness to cooperate with PJSC RSC Energia on modules of the Russian Orbital Station (hereinafter — ROS). Has the company received a response from PJSC RSC Energia?
— Currently, a draft project has been developed, which is undergoing examination. The final decision on the composition of participants for the development of ROS modules has not been made. We are still ready to share our many years of accumulated experience in the successful implementation of the Salyut, Mir, and ISS projects. Of course, in general, the implementation of the project will take place with the participation of the Khrunichev Center — so far on the development of means of launching the station modules.
— In August, you reported on the completion of the preliminary design of the Angara launch vehicle adapted for launching ROS modules into orbit. Is there already an expert solution for the project?
— A technical project has been developed for the Angara-A5M launch vehicle, which has been accepted by the customer. A preliminary design for the adaptation of the Vostochny cosmodrome and the Angara-A5M launch vehicle for the launches of this launch vehicle with ROS modules has been released and has been examined by the leading institutes of the industry.