Official RSC Energia Press Release on the Launch of the Service Module Zvezda

Service Module Zvezda – the most critical Russian
element of the International Space Station (ISS) – has been
launched on Proton K launch vehicle and put into a low-earth
orbit with inclination of 51.6* , minimum altitude of 185.1 km,
maximum altitude of 352.8 km.

The launch occurred at Baikonur at 8 hours 56
minutes 36 seconds Moscow Summer Time.

In accordance with the Service Module mission
plan, solar arrays and on-board antennas have been deployed,
making possible radiomonitoring of the orbit and communications
with Earth. Tests are now to be run on the on-board systems:
star tracking system, computer system, propulsion system, rendezvous
and docking system, radio systems, motion control and navigation
system, thermal control system and others. By performing a few
burns with its propulsion system, SM will gradually raise its
orbit to the altitude of no less than 350 km, taking two weeks
to approach Zarya-Unity modules in order to assure the necessary
conditions for docking which is set for July 26, 2000.

The flight of Service Module Zvezda and modules
Zarya-Unity is controlled by the Lead Operational Control Team
(LOCT) residing in the Mission Control Center in Korolev (near
Moscow) and communicating with the US Mission Control Center
(Houston). LOCT consists of managers and leading experts from
S.P.Korolev RSC Energia (including Flight Director, cosmonaut
V.A.Soloviev), and leading experts from other companies and
organizations.

The operation of the Service Module on-board systems
is analyzed and supported by S.P. Korolev RSC Energia using
Integrated Simulation Facility, Integrated Simulator of the
Service Module Zarya (its electrical analog on the ground),
and other hardware and software aids.