Russia could start orbital station deployment after 2024 – science & space

MOSCOW, November 26 / TASS /. Russia could deploy its own orbital service station, occupied by two to four cosmonauts, after 2024, said Vladimir Solovyov, the first deputy general manager of Energia Rocket and Space Corporation, according to the Scientific Russia website.

“[Vladimir Solovyov] also presented the project of a Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS), currently under development by RSC Energia, “the website says.” According to Solovyov, its deployment is planned after 2024. “

The senior manager explained that the new station will consist of three to seven modules and could be operated by a team of two to four people. The station will also be able to operate autonomously.

“Cosmonauts will work on the station in shifts, to reduce crew radiation exposure and operating costs,” he said.

According to Solovyov, the ROSS will serve a number of purposes, including remote sounding, research, experiments, communications, navigation, detection of man-made disasters, geological surveys, participation in projects education, forest monitoring and space tourism.

The success of Russia’s priority objectives in space depends, among other things, on the orbital station’s programs, the official said. He added that this type of stations benefits from advantages such as open architecture and unlimited lifespan, thanks to replaceable modules.

In May, Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin revealed that Russia had to start development of a new orbital station. According to the CEO, it is currently unclear whether it will be inhabited or visited, or whether it will be national or international.

Rogozin noted at the time that the need for a new station arises from the fact that the ISS will only operate for an additional 7-10 years, due to structural fatigue and a limited resource of modules. The new station will look somewhat like the Mir space station, decommissioned in 2001. Previously, Solovyov had revealed his intention to install a module for four space tourists on the new Russian space station, which will be equipped, among other things, with the Wireless.