ISS Russian Segment
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Progress M-MRM2 cargo vehicle-module at the Baikonur cosmodrome |
Mini Research Module Poisk (MRM2)
Purpose:
- conducting fundamental and applied experiments and research inside and outside the module;
- providing an additional port supporting the docking of Soyuz and Progress-type transportation spacecraft with the station after MRM2 is berthed to the Zvezda module;
- providing support for extravehicular activities as an airlock for two cosmonauts;
- providing up to 2 m3 of usable volume in the pressurized cabin for scientific equipment installation and cargo storage;
- providing pass-through propellant transfer from Progress cargo transportation spacecraft through its own refueling lines supporting venting prior to the undocking with the transportation spacecraft;
- providing two basepoints for installation of external scientific equipment and cargo boom;
- delivery of up to 870 kg of cargo in the pressurized cabin for ISS RS;
- after removal of DC1 from the station (prior to MLM docking), MRM2 is to assume the function of the space station airlock module.
Key specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
Mass, kg |
3 670 |
Maximum length,
(by mating planes of the docking assemblies), mm |
4 049 |
Maximum body diameter, mm |
2 550 |
Number of hatches |
2 |
Hatch passage diameter, mm |
800 |
Diameter of egress hatch for extravehicular activity, mm |
1 000 |
Volume of pressurized compartment, m3 |
≤ 12.5 |
Volume for cargo storage and scientific equipment, m3 |
≥ 2.0 |
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MRM2 general view:
1 - active docking assembly;
2 - egress hatch for extravehicular activity;
3 - magnetomechanical lock;
4 - passive docking assembly;
5 - passive base point;
6 - handholds
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The design of the Poisk module used to the maximum extent possible previous designs of the Pirs docking compartment and of the spacecraft-module Progress M-DC1, which made it possible to assure design continuity and take into account the operation of that compartment within ISS.
Poisk module has two docking ports located along its longitudinal axis, - one active and one passive. Egress hatches are located on the starboard side and the port side. For the ease of cosmonauts' work, there are ring handrails both inside and outside the compartment. Hatch covers open inwards.
The payload package of the Mini Research Module Poisk is intended for carrying out scientific experiments envisaged in the Long-term Program of scientific and applied research on the Russian Segment of the International Space Station, as well as for performing work with commercial payloads during extravehicular activities (EVAs).
The payload package includes multipurpose workstations for conducting experiments, mechanical adapters for equipment installation, scientific hardware itself, as well as cables for its connection to electrical (data) interfaces of the module.
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Progress M-MRM2 vehicle-module in flight |
Allocated inside the pressurized cabin for the scientifihardware is a volume of 0.2 m3. Used for visual and instrumental observations are its two windows with the inner diameter of 228 mm. Provisions are made for connecting the hardware to the power outlets and telemetry data transmission channels available onboard. A multi-purpose workstation with mechanical interface in the form of a passive basepoint is provided on the outer surface of the module for equipment installation. Power, control and monitoring for the hardware installed on the multi-purpose workstation are provided using existing resources of the Service Module.
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Module Poisk as part of the ISS RS |
On November 10, 2009, at 17 h 22 min 4 s Moscow Time, the cargo transportation spacecraft-module Progress M-MRM2 was launched from the Baikonur launch site.
On November 12, after two days in free flight, the spacecraft-module docked with the International Space Station and delivered within it to the station the Poisk module.
After MRM2 integration into the Russian Segment, equipment included into the payload package of the module began to be used for experiments under a long-term program of scientific and applied research.
MRM2 Poisk as part of RS ISS
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