December 7, 2009.
S.P.Korolev RSC Energia, Korolev, Moscow region
A presentation of the flight model of the Mini Research Module (MRM1) and equipment to be delivered in it was held at S.P.Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia the day before their shipment to the USA for processing before the launch to the International space Station in the Space Shuttle payload bay in May 2010.
During the presentation which was opened by V.A.Lopota, President of RSC Energia, General Designer, N.I.Zelenschikov, First Vice-President of Corporation, First Deputy General Designer, A.F.Strekalov, General Director of Experimental Machine-Building Plant of RSC Energia, the Russian mass media got an insight into the purpose and basic performance of the module, ground test results, plans of forward work relating to the module and equipment shipment to the USA and prelaunch processing.
After that V.A.Lopota, President of RSC Energia, General Designer, N.I.Zelenschikov, First Vice-President of Corporation, First Deputy General Designer, A.F.Strekalov, General Director of Experimental Machine-Building Plant of RSC Energia, N.A.Bryukhanov, Deputy General Designer, Chief Designer for Manned Systems, A.A.Kuznetsov, Manager of Russian Segment (RS) Assembly Directorate of RSC Energia answered questions put by journalists.
For reference:
- MRM1 is designed to deliver various cargo to the ISS and accommodate utilization hardware and equipment (Payloads) for implementing space experiments from the list of the Russian Long-term Program of Applied Research and Experiments planned on the ISS RS. The payloads elements are incorporated into the MRM1 launch configuration. Material science, biological and biotechnological space experiments (SE) are planned to be performed on the module by the program. SE performance is started after mission science PLs are delivered by Progress vehicles.
- MRM1 launch on the Space Shuttle is planned under the Russian/US ISS program agreement.
- The following equipment to be delivered is externally mounted on the flight model of MRM1 in its launch configuration, that is, airlock and radiation heat exchanger to be used for outfitting of another new Russian module, Multipurpose Laboratory Module (to be launched in 2012), as well as a spare elbow part of the European manipulator (ERA), portable work platform for science hardware for performing SE in the outer space. Grapple fixtures are available on MRM1 to ensure the module unloading from the Space Shuttle and mating to Zarya module after the Space Shuttle undocking from the ISS. Russian and US cargo to be delivered are accommodated inside the module.
- Basic performances of MRM1 are as follows: launch mass is 7.9.tons, NASA cargo mass is 1.4 tons, volume for cargo and science hardware storage is 5 cubic meters.
- By now the standalone and integrated test program for MRM1 as a whole and delivered equipment, including vibration strength, modal, static, acoustic and integrated tests, its joint tests with the ISS RS elements and transport vehicles has been fully completed at RSC Energia stands. The module and equipment to be delivered are prepared for transportation to the Kennedy Space Center (the USA) in a dedicated pressurized large-size transportation container.
- Five universal work stations (UWS) are arranged in MRM1 pressurized compartment. Four of them will be equipped with application equipment (glove box, general-purpose biotechnological low-temperature T-controlled container, vibration isolating platform). One UWS will be equipped with adapters for science hardware installation (special retractable module-shelves, up to 4). The total mass of science hardware accommodated on UWS is more than 100 kg.
- The philosophy of science hardware integration within PL are as follows: hardware stowage using replaceable payloads on universal work stations. SH is installed and mounted on a specific UWS directly during the module on-orbit operation. UWS is outfitted with mechanical, electrical, information and other interfaces to ensure SH operation. One SH is replaced with another one by rotation as the experiment objectives are fulfilled or by a separate decision.
 
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