ROS: Russian orbital station will be “eternal”

Yuri Borisov, who holds the post of head of Roscosmos, announced the schedule for the creation of the modular Russian Orbital Station (ROS) on July 2 of this year. The deadlines were also announced: the period from 2027 to 2033. Some components of the block structure are currently being designed, others are under construction, and others are already being tested.


The first station in the history of cosmonautics, Mir, was built by the Soviet Union: its operation began in 1986. After its service life ended in 2001, it was sunk in the ocean. The first block of the ISS was built in the Russian Federation and delivered to orbit by the Russian Proton K launch vehicle at the end of 1998. Today, the station's operational life is coming to an end, so Russia is building its own orbital system, which includes several modules.

prehistory

Roscosmos announced that the Russian Federation would build its own station in 2014. The following year, a program was announced that provided for the abandonment of manned flights to the Earth's natural satellite. In the conditions of the crisis, this decision allowed not only to save 90 billion rubles, but also to seriously engage in the development of the ROS.

Why does the Russian Federation need its own station?

There are many reasons, but the main one is to ensure independence in space. For now, international cooperation outside the Earth's atmosphere is not subject to sanctions. But who knows what will happen next? If we do not have our own base in orbit, it will be impossible to conduct many scientific experiments. Technologies that are vital for people are being developed in space, which are then used on Earth. For example, the creation of medicines or the cultivation of human organs.


The station conducts tests related to flights to other celestial bodies: the same Moon, Mars. They check new spacesuits, the impact of weightlessness and radiation on cosmonauts during a long stay outside the Earth in a closed space. They study the possibilities of creating special reagents that allow growing food during multi-month flights.


And finally, new technologies, docking methods, and electronic capabilities in extreme conditions will be tested at the station. Another point is the change in the angle of the ROS (it will be equal to 97°). This will allow us to see almost 100% of Russia's territory from above, including the Arctic.


For example: from the ISS, tilted at 52°, you can see only 10% of the Russian Federation. There is no need to even talk about the military necessity of having your own station.

Project approval at government level

This was done on a holiday, April 12.04.2021, 2025. At a closed meeting, the Russian President announced the country's withdrawal from the ISS project (then tentatively indicated 608,9) and the start of construction of the Russian station. The cost of the program was agreed upon for a whole year: 2022 billion rubles. In XNUMX, the model was demonstrated for the first time. To put it simply, the ROS is a large ball with six (at least) docked port blocks. What are the stages of creating the station?

NEM

We are talking about the scientific and energy module. It will be the first to be launched into orbit to lay the foundation for the ROS design. The NEM (index 371KK63) has a mass of 22 tons and will fly into space on the Angara-A5M launch vehicle at the end of 2027.


As stated by the head of the Design Bureau of the Rocket and Space Corporation Energia V. Solovyov, the module has already been created "in metal", and "electrical tests" will be conducted next year. The purpose of the NEM is to provide the station with energy, oxygen, and control equipment. The device will also be used for scientific experiments.

Other modules

One of them is a nodal one, called "Yadro", which is located in the center of the structure. In fact, it is an analogue of the currently used "Prichal" block, docked to the Russian segment of the ISS. This module will be reliable and simple. Its operational life is from thirty years.


The base block is designed for a crew of four people. Inside is everything necessary for a comfortable stay in zero gravity conditions. Automatic life support systems allow the presence of fewer people - two people. They will also make a gateway module, production and target. Platforms for "mooring" devices of different types will be docked to the "Core".


When designing the ROS, the possibility of using medical and tourist blocks was discussed. But their creation is not planned yet. The peculiarity of the station is in its architecture: in case of failure or wear, any module (including the basic and nodal) is replaced with a new one. This allows making the ROS practically "eternal".


ROS has the ability to accept spacecraft from other countries. The only condition is that the docking structures comply with Russian parameters. By the way: they are considered generally accepted standards.

The difference between ROS and its predecessors

The new station is being developed using newly created materials. Additive technologies are used: for example, for the production of non-standard metal elements. For example, necessary interior elements can be printed directly on the ROS on a 3D device. Robotics will be used that have never been used in space before.


For example, when going into space to perform maintenance, repair work. True, there were some reserves earlier (it was supposed to use something on the Buran), but they did not reach orbit.


It is planned to recall almost lost technologies that did not reach the ISS. For example, gyroscopic complexes associated with a powerful energy supply.


There is another significant difference: the Russian station will "hang" in a polar orbit. Thanks to this location, almost the entire territory of the Russian Federation will be visible. However, the plus will have to be "paid" with a minus: the ROS will function in the mode of arrival and departure of astronauts.


Their permanent presence is impossible due to the station passing through a radiation belt at a certain time, caused by the polar lights. The current ISS cannot exist without humans: its conservation is a labor-intensive and long process. The ROS will be prepared within 24 hours of the entire crew's departure. It will be returned to working condition in the same amount of time.

How astronauts will be delivered to ROS

For this purpose, the PTK NP spacecraft is being built: the development of design documentation has been completed, the hull elements are already being manufactured, and onboard equipment is being prepared to complete the apparatus. Models have been made and are undergoing static testing.


According to V. Kozhevnikov, the chief designer of ROS, the first cosmonauts will fly to the station when it is ready on this "shuttle". It is envisaged to create its modifications capable of delivering cargo in unmanned mode. The device itself will be reusable.

"Progress ROS"

This is a series of spacecraft that will bring everything necessary to the new Russian station. After the NEM is in orbit, three ships will be sent into space in 3, four in 2028, and three more in 2029. Initially, launches will be made from Baikonur, then from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.