Watch the Launch

Additional Media

Пуск ракеты-носителя «Протон-М» с модулем «Наука»

21 июля 2021 года в 17:58:21 по московскому времени с космодрома Байконур выполнен пуск ракеты-носителя «Протон-М» с новым лабораторным модулем «Наука». Его полёт к Международной космической станции п...

ERA launch replay

The European Robotic Arm (ERA) is on its way to the International Space Station after being launched on a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan, at 16:58 CEST on 21 July 2021. The...

MLM Nauka

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Low Earth Orbit
Mission: Human Exploration

Low Earth Orbit 200/39 (200L) Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

Nauka (which means "Science" in Russian), also known as Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM), is a new module of the russian segment of the ISS. It will dock at Zvezda's nadir port, replacing the Pirs module occupying it since September 2001. The Nauka module is designed to be used for experiments, docking and cargo as well as serve as a crew work and rest area. It is equipped with full guidance and navigation control including engines and an attitude control system that can be used as a backup by the ISS. The Nauka module also brings the European Robotic Arm, for which a spare elbow joint was already launched in 2010, to the orbital laboratory.

Updates

spacevogel • July 21, 2021, 3:15 p.m.

Module is healthy and in planned orbit.



spacevogel • July 8, 2021, noon

Corrected the T-0


spacevogel • July 8, 2021, 5:48 a.m.

New date confirmed by Roscosmos


Nosu • July 5, 2021, 3:52 p.m.

Launch postponed to NET July 21 due to thermal blankets missing from MLM Nauka's star trackers.


Proton-M

Family:
Configuration:

Proton-M is a three stage Russian heavy lift launch vehicle derived from the Soviet Proton launch vehicle. Image Credit: Alex Lane

Specifications
  • Stages
    3
  • Length
    58.2 m
  • Diameter
    7.4 m
  • Fairing Diameter
    4.35 m
  • Launch Mass
    705.0 T
  • Thrust
    10532.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Proton-M
  • Family
  • Variant
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Proton-M
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $65000000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    23000.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
    6920.0 kg
  • Direct Geostationary
    3250.0 kg
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center

Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center

(KhSC)

Director: Andrey Vladimirovich Kalinovskiy Founded: 1916 Successes: 183 Failures: 15 Pending: 0

Agency Type:

Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center is a Moscow-based producer of spacecraft and space-launch systems, including the Proton and Rokot rockets and is currently developing the Angara rocket family. The Proton launch vehicle launches from Baikonur and Rokot launches from Baikonur and Plesetsk. Angara will launch from Plesetsk and Vostochny.

INFO WIKI

Related News

Arstechnica

For the third time in a year, Russian hardware on the space station is leaking

Will this leak be blamed on "external impacts" as well?

SpacePolicyOnline.com

Russian Space Station Module Springs a Coolant Leak

Russia’s newest International Space Station module, Nauka, began leaking coolant from a radiator today. This is third Russian radiator to spring a leak in less than a year. The Nauka […]

SpaceNews

Russian ISS module experiences coolant leak

A radiator on the Russian segment of the International Space Station started leaking coolant Oct. 9, the third such incident involving Russian hardware at the station in less than a year.

Spaceflight Now

Russian science lab heads for International Space Station

The International Space Station is set to receive its biggest expansion in more than a decade after the launch of a Russian research lab and a European robotic arm Wednesday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Spaceflight Now

Russian lab module set for launch to space station Wednesday

A Russian science module in development for more than 20 years is set for liftoff Wednesday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on top of a Proton rocket, kicking off an eight-day flight to the International Space Station to boost t…

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

200/39 (200L)


Kuaizhou 11
Success
22 hours, 53 minutes ago
8 satellites
Launch Area 95A - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Ride-share launch of 8 satellites to sun-synchronous orbit. Details TBD.


Long March 6A
Success
1 day, 13 hours ago
Yaogan 50-02
Launch Complex 9A - Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

The Yaogan 50-02 is a Chinese military “remote sensing” satellite of unknown purposes.


Falcon 9
Success
2 days, 14 hours ago
Starlink Group 10-48
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
3 days, 12 hours ago
Starlink Group 17-31
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 2D
Success
4 days, 4 hours ago
Shiyan 30 03-04
Launch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1) - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

A pair of Chinese satellites reported to be for "Earth observation technological testing and validation" purposes. Actual usage not known.


Long March 8A
Success
4 days, 7 hours ago
SatNet LEO Group 20
Commercial LC-1 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

A batch of 9 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group.…


Firefly Alpha
Success
5 days, 2 hours ago
Stairway to Seven
Space Launch Complex 2W - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Firefly Alpha's Flight 7 is a test flight and return-To-Flight for the launch vehicle after its April 2025 launch failure. It will test and validate …


Falcon 9
Success
6 days, 22 hours ago
EchoStar 25
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

EchoStar 25 is a direct broadcast satellite, built on the proven Maxar 1300 series platform, which will deliver content across North America. It will…


Falcon 9
Success
1 week, 1 day ago
Starlink Group 17-18
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Electron
Success
1 week, 4 days ago
Insight At Speed Is A Friend Indeed (BlackSky Gen-3 4)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A - Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

Note: Payload and customer identities were not publicly announced. 4th of the BlackSky Gen-3 high resolution Earth-imaging satellites.