Russia has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for building a modern space station and associated Earth-based infrastructure, with the first module scheduled to be launched within three years.
On July 2, the head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos He outlined plans to build the country’s newest space station, now known as the Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS). According to the Russian news agency TASS.
The first module of the X-shaped base will be a research and power base and is scheduled to be launched into near-polar orbit in 2027. TASS reported.The four main modules are planned to be docked by 2030, with two “special purpose” modules attached by 2033. Roscosmos plans to send the first astronauts to the space station in 2028, and has suggested the station could operate unmanned.
Russian track service stations International Space StationIt will orbit the Earth in a polar, sun-synchronous orbit about 250 miles (400 km) above the Earth, a route that makes it particularly convenient for observing the entire surface of the Earth. According to RoscosmosIt will also provide rare views of the “strategically important Northern Sea Route.” The estimated cost is about $7 billion.
The ROSS construction schedule also depends on the success of the next generation of large rockets. Angara A5 rocketSince 2014, it has successfully completed three orbital flight tests, but one in 2021 ended in partial failure.
Its construction may also include some firsts: Russia, it seems, is jumping on the AI bandwagon.
“Artificial intelligence is a rapidly developing technology,” Vladimir Kozhevnikov, ROS’s chief designer, said on July 2. TASS reports“Of course, we’ll leverage that support, but we’ll basically use our own brains” It’s unclear what form this AI will take, but will ChatGPT get credit for building the ROSS module?
Vladimir Solovyov, another chief designer at space rocket company Energia, suggested that ROSS has an “unusual” goal and that it will be the first time that a space station will guide a constellation of satellites.
“This fleet will fly near the station. […] This will also mean completely new challenges for Mission Control that have never been attempted before,” Solovyov said.
Russia has been a key member of the International Space Station since its launch. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)The European Space Agency, JAXA and the Canadian Space Agency are among the participants. For the new space station, they are also considering partnering with Brazil, India, China and South Africa, in addition to other African countries.
Roscosmos had indicated its intention to build its own space laboratory to replace the Mir space station in 2021. In mid-2022, following the invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions between Russia and other Western countries, Roscosmos Leave the ISS program “After 2024,” it was announced. Planned to remain on the ISS until 2028.
The timeline for disengaging from the ISS remains unclear, but it signals the Russian space agency’s intention to advance its national interests and focus on security and scientific development, a plan that Roscosmos believes is hindered by international agreements regarding the ISS.
The ISS Scheduled for deorbit in 2030However, operations are likely to continue until a commercial station is built.
