Probably, the readers are already accustomed to the fact that if we have material about the Russian space program, it will be another disgusting thing. I would love to write something sublime and optimistic. In the spirit of Rogozin. But the facts, they just induce to do exactly the opposite.
Let's try to forget the frankly populist speeches of some non-specialists about "throwing American astronauts to the ISS with the help of a trampoline", because today it is worth thinking about this topic ourselves. And how real the trampoline theme is for Russian cosmonautics is a question of the near future.
But we will now look a little further, namely, in 2024. When the term of joint operation of the ISS ends and it will be necessary to decide what to do next. Since 2014, we have constantly seen and heard cheerful statements about “we can handle it ourselves”.
Yes, theoretically - quite. The ISS was built in such a way that the Russian modules were docked not to foreign units, but concentrated in one place, forming a single segment.
Today, the Russian segment includes the Zarya and Zvezda modules, the Pirs docking station, the Rassvet and Poisk research modules.
In principle, yes, this segment can be undocked and operated separately from the ISS. Our segment has propulsion systems and orientation systems, that is, everything necessary for an autonomous flight.
And with power supply it is more difficult. We have our own solar panels, but they are not enough. And today, a large part of the electricity comes from the American segment. How can this problem be resolved quickly? Promptly, because there are only 7 years left for this, nothing by the standards of space.
Two options.
The first is the reduction of all programs that require energy. But here the question arises: why then fly at all, if not work? This is not a cheap pleasure, however.
The second is the launch of some kind of energy platform that will be able to provide the Russian module with energy.
The project was like that. Or there is, it's very difficult to say here. Its launch was expected in 2015, then in 2016, and this year they announced the postponement of the launch to 2018.
And it's not even about the engines. More precisely, in engines, but not in launch vehicles. Although there is a complete disgrace.
This week, the media reported that the Science module would be launched no earlier than 2018, and then there was information that Science might not be launched at all. The reason for this was the rubber parts that were out of use for 22 years.
Meanwhile, it was on this module that great hopes were pinned on both work and power supply.
Roscosmos has not officially confirmed these versions. But since Nauka is simply absent from the launch plans, this speaks volumes.
Work on this module began in 1995. It was assumed that the "Science" will be created on the basis of the "Zarya" module, and it will become the largest Russian segment of the ISS. And then it will be possible to talk about independence and make plans for further work. And there are reasons for that.
Let's see what our ISS segment is.
1. Functional cargo block "Zarya". The partition will definitely be a stumbling block, because although it was built here, and launched by us, and became the first stone in the foundation of the ISS, it was made by order of Boeing and with the money of the Americans. And wherever possible, this module is considered American.
Today "Zarya" is used mainly as a warehouse and a place for conducting experiments in automatic mode. Plus 3 kW of electricity from solar panels.
2. Service module "Star". This is Russia's main contribution to the creation of the ISS. It is a residential module of the station. In the early stages of ISS construction, Zvezda performed life support functions on all modules, control of the height above the Earth, power supply to the station, a computing center, a communications center, and the main port for Progress cargo ships. Over time, many functions were transferred to other modules, but Zvezda remains the structural and functional center of the Russian segment of the ISS.
Zvezda includes all systems required to operate as an autonomous inhabited spacecraft and laboratory. It allows a crew of three astronauts to be in space, for which there is a life support system and an electrical power plant on board, there are personal rest cabins, medical equipment, exercise equipment, a kitchen, a table for eating, and personal hygiene products. The service module contains the central control station of the station with monitoring equipment. And another 13.8 kW of energy.
3. Docking module-compartment "Pirs". Berth for ships. It should have been undocked and replaced with Nauka.
4. Small research module "Search". In fact, it is also a gateway for going into space and receiving ships.
5. Docking and cargo module "Dawn". Also a gateway and a warehouse.
Obviously, all sites for conducting scientific and laboratory work do not belong to us. It is difficult to say whether ours are carried away by the role of space cabs, or something else, but the fact is that all the places where work and experiments are carried out, that is, what beats off the invested money (and considerable) is outside the Russian segment.
Destiny, Columbus, Kibo are not here. Alas.
That is why so much attention was paid to "Science". Well, because in the foreseeable future, this is the only module that could be put into orbit, either as part of the ISS or as part of the Russian station.
We have no more prospects, unfortunately, except for "Science", which they began to create back in 1995.
And recently it became known that back in 2013, pollution was found in the propulsion system of Nauka. The module was sent back to the Khrunichev Center, where they tried to bring it back to life for several years. This is a very difficult job, since the propulsion system of the laboratory module includes hundreds of meters of fuel lines and various hoses, each of which must be rinsed and cleaned.
However, the next postponement of the launch suggests that it was not possible to rinse and clean …
There is information that the reason for the return of the module was the presence of a certain metal powder formed during the manufacture of the module. To eliminate this defect, it is proposed to cut the fuel tanks in order to clean them from the inside, and then weld again. This work will take about a year. What has been done over the past several years remains a mystery.
The question regarding some rubber gaskets and seals that have become unusable in 22 years, then there is even more confusion. Specialists, definitely, know better, but since the module has already been assembled once, is there really no way to replace it?
Or is there a question of hands again? It is not clear.
What is clear is that our space program continues to confidently descend from orbit. Yes, our space officials, or cosmo officials, spoke very vividly about independent work in space and the separation of the Russian segment from the ISS.
Can? Yes, you can. And all you have to do is add this unfortunate "Science", which has places for work and all kinds of research and a module that will solve the problem of energy supply.
But without this, the full-fledged operation of the orbital station is impossible. And, alas, we simply cannot afford to fly for the sake of the process itself. Anyone who is ready to invest in space, first of all, needs results. And not the process of work and burnt satellites.
Just a month ago, an epoch-making decision was made to reduce the Russian ISS crew by one cosmonaut with the return of full-fledged flights after the launch of the laboratory module. It turns out that ours have no place in foreign modules to work?
Good. They abandoned one cosmonaut in favor of the Japanese, Germans, and Americans. And then what? There is no laboratory module where “I want to, I turn around”, and it is not clear when it will be now.
Yes, in the program of work in open space in August, work was planned to prepare the site for the installation of "Science". In order for the module to be mounted in December. There is no module - there is no need to cook anything, "Piers" will stand where it is.
And someone there a couple of years ago loudly broadcast about some "lunar program"? Don't you remember? There was a case …
What is the "lunar program" when there is no way to launch a single module? What kind of manned flights to Mars or the Moon are there if we cannot yet properly launch satellites? What is the conversation about?
And who will collect all these lunar and Mars vehicles?
Roskosmos is getting closer and closer to the line beyond which there is an abyss. You can keep silent about problems, you can quietly postpone launches, if only everything is good and useful in the end. So far, nothing of the kind has been observed. Everything that is possible is transferred. Launch of "Science", launches of "Angara", "Protons", "Soyuz" … Is there a prospect - time will tell. But the time is running out.
