Nauka (ISS module)

Nauka

Nauka as seen from the Cupola, during a Russian spacewalk in January 2022.
Module statistics
COSPAR ID	2021-066A
Part of	International Space Station
Launch date	21 July 2021, 14:58:25 UTC
Launch vehicle	Proton-M
Docked	29 July 2021, 13:29:01 UTC (Zvezda nadir)
Mass	20,357 kg (44,880 lb)
Length	13.12 m (43.0 ft)
Width	29.7 m (97 ft)
Diameter	4.25 m (13.9 ft)
Pressurised volume	80.9 m3 (2,860 cu ft) Habitable: 70 m3 (2,500 cu ft)
Configuration
Diagram of Nauka's forward and aft exterior, with the European Robotic Arm in purple.

Nauka (Russian: Наука, lit. 'Science'), also known as the Multipurpose Laboratory Module, Upgrade (MLM-U, Russian: Многоцелевой лабораторный модуль, усоверше́нствованный), is the primary laboratory of the Russian Orbital Segment of the International Space Station (ISS). Serving alongside the Rassvet and Poisk mini-research modules, Nauka conducts scientific experiments and stores research equipment.

Originally built as a backup for Zarya, the very first module of the ISS, Nauka's construction was halted in the late 1990s, when it was about 70% complete. After exploring various options, Roscosmos decided to convert the partially completed module into a laboratory. While the initial target launch date was set for 2007, and outfitting equipment for Nauka was delivered by Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2010 attached to the Rassvet module, numerous delays and technical issues delayed the launch by 14 years.

Nauka finally launched on 21 July 2021 at 14:58:25 UTC from the Baikonur Cosmodrome atop a Proton-M rocket. Like most of the Russian modules, Nauka operated autonomously and after a flight lasting about eight days, Nauka docked to the nadir (Earth facing) port of the Zvezda module on 29 July 2021 at 13:29:01 UTC. However, after docking, a software glitch led the module's thrusters to keep firing, causing the entire space station to flip over one and a half times, before the module ran out of fuel. The crew was able to null the rotation, and return the station to its normal orientation. While the situation was tense and NASA declared a "spacecraft emergency," they later said that the situation did not endanger the lives of the ISS crew.

The addition of Nauka is the first major expansion of the Russian Orbital Segment in over 20 years. Cosmonauts would conduct twelve spacewalks over two years outfitting the module with equipment, much of it brought aboard the Rassvet module in 2010 and Prichal, a multi-port docking module was added to Nauka in November 2021.