Raketno kosmchsky krp En imn SP Krl : Anniversary of the ISS. 20 years from the launch of Zarya module

Anniversary of the ISS. 20 years from the launch of Zarya module

November 20, 2018

Today, on November 20, the International Space Station (ISS) is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The Russian Space Agency and RSC Energia were initiators of its development. The works on the ISS begun as early as 1993-1994 achieved the space orbit in 1998 with the successful launch of the first module, Functional Cargo Block (FGB) Zarya.

On November 20, 1998 at 8:40 Moscow time, the Proton-K launch vehicle carrying the first ISS module was launched from the Baikonur launch site. After 10 minutes FGB Zarya was put into orbit. Tests performed after the module injection into a near-earth orbit showed a normal functionality of its main systems. From that day an assembly of the second International Space Station following the Russian Mir station began in a near-earth orbit.

FGB Zarya is a 20-ton pressurized module built at the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center using Russia-produced materials and components according to the design concept tested in development, preparation and operation of the Mir modules. Altogether, more than 200 Russian enterprises participated in development of the Zarya module. RSC Energia was responsible for development of Zarya onboard hardware which solved the task of module control within the station.

Two weeks after the successful launch the first US module Unity was mated to Zarya within the Endeavor Space Shuttle flight. During three egresses into space the second Station module was connected to Zarya power supply and communication systems, and its external equipment was mounted. Until the summer of 2000 Zarya performed the functions of the station power generation, as well as attitude and temperature control. After docking of the Zvezda module on July 26, 2000 the functions of the ISS core module were handed over from Zarya to a new station component. The function of the Zarya module as a propellant depot and storage remains unchanged.

The launch of FGB Zarya is a new stage of cooperation in the ambitious international space exploration project. Today, the Station consisting of five modules of the Russian segment: Zarya (FGB) (the module is integrated into the Russian segment), Zvezda (SM), Pirs (DC1), Poisk (MRM2) ), Rassvet (MRM1), and modules of the US On-orbit Segment: Unity (Node1), Destiny (Lab), Harmony (Node2), Columbus (Columbus), Kibo (JEM), Tranquility (Node3), Leonardo (PMM), Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), airlock Quest, truss structures with solar panels and mobile service system, platform for science hardware, station manipulator (SSRMS) keeps the watch in orbit.

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