Preparing Russia’s Mini Research Modules For Launch
Testing continues on Russia’s Mini Research Module 1 (MRM-1 or the Docking Cargo Module) which is scheduled for launch othe International Space Station on STS-132 in May 2010. MRM-1 will be docked to the nadir port of Zarya (FGB). Mini Research Module 2 (MRM-2) will be launched to the ISS by a Soyuz-U rocket on 10 November 2009. MRM-2 will be docked to the zenith docking port on Zvezda (Service Module) and will be used as an airlock for EVAs.
September 2, 2009. S.P.Korolev RSC Energia, Korolev Moscow region
S.P.Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia has completed the vacuum-chamber tests of the specialized cargo spacecraft/module Progress M-MRM2. At present, the work to prepare it for shipment to the Baikonur launch site is under way.
The launch of the cargo spacecraft, which has as its main task the delivery of the Mini Research Module MRM2 to the International Space Station (ISS), is scheduled for November of this year. The specialized cargo spacecraft and MRM2 were developed at RSC Energia.
MRM2 is the new Russian module intended for use within the ISS Russian Segment. The module will make it possible to increase the number of ports on this segment of the station, as well as enable further development of the Russian program of space experiments and research carried out on-board ISS.
August 31, 2009. S.P.Korolev RSC Energia, Korolev, Moscow region
S.P.Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia has prepared and started vibration strength tests on the full-scale dynamic model of the Mini Research Module (MRM1) slated for inclusion into the Russian Segment of the International Space Station in 2010.
Tests on the flight model of MRM are continuing as scheduled at the checkout and testing facility of the Corporation.
August 28, 2009. S.P.Korolev RSC Energia, Korolev, Moscow region
S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia has completed vacuum chamber checks for leaks in the hull and pneumatic and hydraulic systems of the flight model of the Mini Research Module MRM1. The module has been handed over to the checkout and testing facility for integrated tests, including tests that use the integrated testing facility for Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station (ISS). Stand-alone tests of MRM1 have begun.
Also completed are test activations of the flight model of the airlock and the flight model of the radiator which are to be delivered to ISS together with MRM1 to be subsequently used for outfitting the multi-purpose laboratory module.
Preparations continue for vibration strength tests on the MRM1 dynamic model that are required for proving the vibration strength of the flight model.
A specialized cargo spacecraft Progress M-MRM2, which includes the Mini Research Module MRM2, is now undergoing leak tests in the RSC Energia vacuum chamber. It is scheduled for shipment to Baikonur in the first decade of September.
For reference:
MRM1 and MRM2 modules are new modules for the ISS Russian Segment that are being developed by RSC Energia. The launch of MRM2 to ISS is scheduled for the end of November, 2009, from the Baikonur launch site. MRM1 is scheduled for launch in May, 2010, on Space Shuttle from Kennedy Space Center, USA.
