Countries on the ISS. ISS (International Space Station) - summary information. How much does an orbital station cost?

02.01.2020

Work on the International Space Station (ISS, in English literature ISS - International Space Station) began in 1993. By this time, Russia had more than 25 years of experience in operating the Salyut and Mir orbital stations, and had unique experience in conducting long-term flights ( up to 438 days of continuous human stay in orbit), as well as various space systems(Mir orbital station, manned and cargo transport ships of the Soyuz and Progress types) and developed infrastructure to support their flights. But by 1991, Russia found itself in a state of severe economic crisis and could no longer maintain funding for astronautics at the previous level. At the same time and, in general, for the same reason (ending “ cold war") the creators of the Freedom orbital station (USA) found themselves in a difficult financial situation. Therefore, a proposal arose to combine the efforts of Russia and the United States in implementing manned programs.

March 15, 1993 CEO The Russian Space Agency (RSA), Yu.N. Koptev, and the general designer of the scientific and production association (NPO) Energia, Yu.P. Semenov, approached the head of NASA, D. Goldin, with a proposal to create the ISS. September 2, 1993 Chairman of the Government Russian Federation V.S. Chernomyrdin and US Vice President A. Gore signed a “Joint Statement on Cooperation in Space,” which provided for the creation of the ISS. In its development, RSA and NASA signed a “Detailed Work Plan for the International Space Station” on November 1, 1993. In June 1994, a contract “On supplies and services for the Mir stations and the ISS” was signed between NASA and RKA. As a result of further negotiations, it was determined that in addition to Russia (RKA) and the USA (NASA), Canada (CSA), Japan (NASDA) and European Cooperation countries (ESA) are participating in the creation of the station, a total of 16 countries, and that the station will consist of 2 integrated segments (Russian and American) and gradually assembled in orbit from separate modules. The main work should be completed by 2003; the total mass of the station by this time will exceed 450 tons. Delivery of cargo and crews into orbit is carried out by Russian Proton and Soyuz launch vehicles, as well as by American reusable spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle.

The lead organization for the creation of the Russian segment and its integration with the American segment is the Rocket and Space Corporation (RSC) Energia named after. S.P.Koroleva, for the American segment - the Boeing company. Technical coordination of work on the Russian segment of the ISS is carried out by the Council of Chief Designers under the leadership of the President and General Designer of RSC Energia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yu.P. Semenov. Management of the preparation and launch of elements of the Russian segment of the ISS is carried out by the Interstate Commission for Flight Support and Operation of Orbital Manned Complexes. Participating in the manufacture of elements of the Russian segment are: Experimental Mechanical Engineering Plant RSC Energia named after. S.P. Korolev and the Rocket and Space Plant GKNPTs im. M.V. Khrunichev, as well as GNP RKTs TsSKB-Progress, Design Bureau of General Mechanical Engineering, RNII of Space Instrumentation, Scientific Research Institute of Precision Instruments, RGNII TsPK im. Yu.A. Gagarin, Russian Academy Sciences, the Agat organization, etc. (about 200 organizations in total).

Station construction stages.

The deployment of the ISS began with the launch on November 20, 1998, using a Proton rocket, of the Zarya functional cargo unit (FGB), built in Russia. On December 5, 1998, the space shuttle Endeavor (flight number STS-88, commander - R. Kabana, crew - Russian cosmonaut S. Krikalev) was launched with the American docking module NODE-1 (Unity) on board. On December 7, Endeavor moored to the FGB, moved the NODE-1 module with a manipulator and docked it. The crew of the Endeavor ship carried out installation of communications equipment and repair work at the FGB (inside and outside). Undocking took place on December 13, and landing on December 15.

On May 27, 1999, the shuttle Discovery (STS-96) launched and docked with the ISS on May 29. The crew transferred cargo to the station, performed technical work, installed a cargo boom operator’s station and an adapter for its fastening on the transition module. June 4 – undocking, June 6 – landing.

On May 18, 2000, the shuttle Discovery (STS-101) launched and docked with the ISS on May 21. The crew carried out repair work on the FGB and installed a cargo boom and handrails on the outer surface of the station. The shuttle engine corrected (raised) the ISS orbit. May 27 – undocking, May 29 – landing.

On July 26, 2000, the Zvezda service module was docked with the Zarya - Unity modules. Start of operation in orbit of the Zvezda – Zarya – Unity complex with a total mass of 52.5 tons.

From the moment (November 2, 2000) of the docking of the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft with the ISS-1 crew on board (V. Shepherd - expedition commander, Yu. Gidzenko - pilot, S. Krikalev - flight engineer) the station operation stage began in manned mode and conducting scientific and technical research on it.

Scientific and technical experiments on the ISS.

The formation of a scientific research program on the Russian Segment (RS) of the ISS began in 1995 after the announcement of a competition among scientific institutions, industrial organizations and higher education institutions. educational institutions. 406 applications were received from more than 80 organizations in 11 main research areas. In 1999, taking into account the technical study carried out by RSC Energia specialists on the feasibility of the received applications, a “Long-term program of scientific and applied research and experiments planned on the RS ISS” was developed, approved by the General Director of the Russian Aviation and Space Agency Yu.N. Koptev and the President of the Russian Academy Sciences Yu.S. Osipov.

The main scientific and technical tasks of the ISS:

– studying the Earth from space;

– study of physical and biological processes under conditions of weightlessness and controlled gravity;

– astrophysical observations, in particular, the station will have a large complex of solar telescopes;

– testing new materials and devices for work in space;

– development of in-orbit assembly technology large systems, including the use of robots;

– testing of new pharmaceutical technologies and pilot production of new drugs in microgravity conditions;

– pilot production of semiconductor materials.

International space station- a manned Earth orbital station, the fruit of the work of fifteen countries around the world, hundreds of billions of dollars and a dozen service personnel in the form of astronauts and cosmonauts who regularly travel aboard the ISS. The International Space Station is such a symbolic outpost of humanity in space, the farthest point of permanent residence of people in airless space (there are no colonies on Mars yet, of course). The ISS was launched in 1998 as a sign of reconciliation between countries that tried to develop their own orbital stations (and it was short-lived) during the Cold War, and will operate until 2024 if nothing changes. Experiments are regularly conducted on board the ISS, which yield fruits that are certainly significant for science and space exploration.

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Former US President Ronald Reagan decided in 1984 to create a habitable location in low-Earth orbit.

But since the project was too expensive and time-consuming for one country, he invited 14 countries to join, including Japan, Brazil and Canada. This is how the international space station appeared. The USSR, due to the confrontation with the United States, was not initially a participant in this project, so our country entered into cooperation only in 1993 (after the collapse of the Soviet Union).

How does the International Space Station work inside?

TV viewers are familiar with the phrase “international space station compartment” from the news. The fact is that it has a modular structure, that is, assembly occurs sequentially by adding the next block. At the moment, the ship consists of 14 blocks, 5 of them Russian (“Zvezda”, “Pirs”, “Poisk”, “Rassvet” and “Zarya”). There are also 7 American modules, Japanese and European.

Purpose of compartments

Astronauts on the International Space Station must not only live on the ship, but also carry out research and experimental work. To provide this opportunity, modules come in several types:

for life support - they carry out water purification and air generation;
service – for flight control;
laboratory – for carrying out scientific experiments and experiences;
connecting - perform the functions of a docking unit.

The ISS also has a greenhouse for growing fresh herbs, two toilets (both designed by Russian specialists) and other work compartments and rooms for rest and hygiene procedures. The number of compartments, as well as their purpose, will certainly change in the future, as the project is constantly developing, the number of completed works, which are an invaluable contribution to the development of space, is increasing.

The International Space Station is the result of joint work of specialists from a number of fields from sixteen countries (Russia, USA, Canada, Japan, states that are members of the European Community). The grandiose project, which in 2013 celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the start of its implementation, embodies all the achievements of modern technical thought. The international space station provides scientists with an impressive portion of the material about near and deep space and some terrestrial phenomena and processes. The ISS, however, was not built in one day; its creation was preceded by almost thirty years of cosmonautics history.

How it all began

The predecessors of the ISS were Soviet technicians and engineers. The undeniable primacy in their creation was occupied by Soviet technicians and engineers. Work on the Almaz project began at the end of 1964. Scientists were working on a manned orbital station that could carry 2-3 astronauts. It was assumed that Almaz would serve for two years and during this time it would be used for research. According to the project, the main part of the complex was the OPS - an orbital manned station. It housed the work areas of the crew members, as well as a living compartment. The OPS was equipped with two hatches for exiting open space and dropping special capsules with information, as well as a passive docking unit, to Earth.

The efficiency of a station is largely determined by its energy reserves. The Almaz developers have found a way to increase them many times over. The delivery of astronauts and various cargo to the station was carried out by transport supply ships (TSS). They, among other things, were equipped with an active docking system, a powerful energy resource, and an excellent motion control system. TKS was able to supply the station with energy for a long time, as well as control the entire complex. All subsequent similar projects, including the international space station, were created using the same method of saving OPS resources.

First

Rivalry with the United States forced Soviet scientists and engineers to work as quickly as possible, so another orbital station, Salyut, was created in the shortest possible time. She was delivered into space in April 1971. The basis of the station is the so-called working compartment, which includes two cylinders, small and large. Inside the smaller diameter there was a control center, sleeping places and areas for rest, storage and eating. The larger cylinder is a container for scientific equipment, simulators, without which not a single such flight can be completed, and there was also a shower cabin and a toilet isolated from the rest of the room.

Each subsequent Salyut was somewhat different from the previous one: it was equipped the latest equipment, had design features that corresponded to the development of technology and knowledge of that time. These orbital stations marked the beginning of a new era in the study of space and terrestrial processes. "Salyuts" were the base on which a large amount of research was carried out in the field of medicine, physics, industry and Agriculture. It is difficult to overestimate the experience of using the orbital station, which was successfully applied during the operation of the next manned complex.

"World"

It was a long process of accumulating experience and knowledge, the result of which was the international space station. "Mir" - a modular manned complex - is its next stage. The so-called block principle of creating a station was tested on it, when for some time the main part of it increases its technical and research power due to the addition of new modules. It will subsequently be “borrowed” by the international space station. “Mir” became an example of our country’s technical and engineering excellence and actually provided it with one of the leading roles in the creation of the ISS.

Work on the construction of the station began in 1979, and it was delivered into orbit on February 20, 1986. Throughout the existence of the Mir, various studies were carried out on it. The necessary equipment was delivered as part of additional modules. The Mir station allowed scientists, engineers and researchers to gain invaluable experience in using such a scale. In addition, it has become a place of peaceful international interaction: in 1992, an Agreement on Cooperation in Space was signed between Russia and the United States. It actually began to be implemented in 1995, when the American Shuttle set off for the Mir station.

End of flight

The Mir station has become the site of a wide variety of research. Here, data in the field of biology and astrophysics, space technology and medicine, geophysics and biotechnology were analyzed, clarified and discovered.

The station ended its existence in 2001. The reason for the decision to flood it was the development of energy resources, as well as some accidents. Various versions of saving the object were put forward, but they were not accepted, and in March 2001 the Mir station was immersed in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Creation of an international space station: preparatory stage

The idea of creating the ISS arose at a time when the thought of sinking the Mir had not yet occurred to anyone. The indirect reason for the emergence of the station was the political and financial crisis in our country and economic problems in the USA. Both powers realized their inability to cope with the task of creating an orbital station alone. In the early nineties, a cooperation agreement was signed, one of the points of which was the international space station. The ISS as a project united not only Russia and the United States, but also, as already noted, fourteen other countries. Simultaneously with the identification of participants, the approval of the ISS project took place: the station will consist of two integrated blocks, American and Russian, and will be equipped in orbit in a modular manner similar to Mir.

"Zarya"

The first international space station began its existence in orbit in 1998. On November 20, the Russian-made Zarya functional cargo block was launched using a Proton rocket. It became the first segment of the ISS. Structurally, it was similar to some of the modules of the Mir station. It is interesting that the American side proposed building the ISS directly in orbit, and only the experience of their Russian colleagues and the example of Mir inclined them towards the modular method.

Inside, "Zarya" is equipped with various instruments and equipment, docking, power supply, and control. An impressive amount of equipment, including fuel tanks, radiators, cameras and solar panels, is located on the outside of the module. All external elements are protected from meteorites by special screens.

Module by module

On December 5, 1998, the shuttle Endeavor headed for Zarya with the American docking module Unity. Two days later, Unity was docked with Zarya. Next, the international space station “acquired” the Zvezda service module, the production of which was also carried out in Russia. Zvezda was a modernized base unit of the Mir station.

The docking of the new module took place on July 26, 2000. From that moment on, Zvezda took over control of the ISS, as well as all life support systems, and the permanent presence of a team of astronauts at the station became possible.

Transition to manned mode

The first crew of the International Space Station was delivered by the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft on November 2, 2000. It included V. Shepherd, the expedition commander, Yu. Gidzenko, the pilot, and the flight engineer. From that moment on, a new stage in the operation of the station began: it switched to manned mode.

The composition of the second expedition: James Voss and Susan Helms. She relieved her first crew in early March 2001.

and earthly phenomena

The International Space Station is a place where various tasks are carried out. The task of each crew is, among other things, to collect data on certain space processes, study the properties of certain substances in conditions of weightlessness, and so on. Scientific research, which are carried out on the ISS, can be presented in the form of a generalized list:

observation of various distant space objects;
cosmic ray research;
Earth observation, including the study of atmospheric phenomena;
study of the characteristics of physical and biological processes under weightless conditions;
testing new materials and technologies in outer space;
medical research, including the creation of new drugs, testing of diagnostic methods in zero gravity conditions;
production of semiconductor materials.

Future

Like any other object that is subjected to such a heavy load and is so intensively operated, the ISS will sooner or later cease to function at the required level. It was initially assumed that its “shelf life” would end in 2016, that is, the station was given only 15 years. However, already from the first months of its operation, assumptions began to be made that this period was somewhat underestimated. Today there are hopes that the international space station will be operational until 2020. Then, probably, the same fate awaits it as the Mir station: the ISS will be sunk in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Today, the international space station, photos of which are presented in the article, continues to successfully circle in orbit around our planet. From time to time in the media you can find references to new research carried out on board the station. The ISS is also the only object of space tourism: at the end of 2012 alone, it was visited by eight amateur astronauts.

It can be assumed that this type of entertainment will only gain momentum, since the Earth from space is a fascinating view. And no photograph can compare with the opportunity to contemplate such beauty from the window of the international space station.

The International Space Station, ISS (English: International Space Station, ISS) is a manned multi-purpose space research complex.

Participating in the creation of the ISS are: Russia (Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos); USA (US National Aerospace Agency, NASA); Japan (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA), 18 European countries(European Space Agency, ESA); Canada (Canadian Space Agency, CSA), Brazil (Brazilian Space Agency, AEB).

Construction began in 1998.

The first module is "Zarya".

Completion of construction (presumably) - 2012.

The ISS completion date is (presumably) 2020.

The orbital altitude is 350-460 kilometers from the Earth.

Orbital inclination is 51.6 degrees.

The ISS makes 16 revolutions per day.

The weight of the station (at the time of completion of construction) is 400 tons (in 2009 - 300 tons).

Internal space (at the time of completion of construction) - 1.2 thousand cubic meters.

Length (along the main axis along which the main modules are lined up) - 44.5 meters.

Height - almost 27.5 meters.

Width (according to solar panels) - more than 73 meters.

The ISS was visited by the first space tourists (sent by Roscosmos together with the Space Adventures company).

In 2007, the flight of the first Malaysian astronaut, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, was organized.

The cost of building the ISS by 2009 amounted to $100 billion.

Flight Control:

the Russian segment is carried out from TsUP-M (TsUP-Moscow, Korolev, Russia);

American segment - from TsUP-X (TsUP-Houston, Houston, USA).

The operation of the laboratory modules included in the ISS is controlled by:

European "Columbus" - Control Center of the European Space Agency (Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany);

Japanese "Kibo" - Mission Control Center of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Tsukuba city, Japan).

The flight of the European automatic cargo ship ATV "Jules Verne" ("Jules Verne"), intended to supply the ISS, together with MCC-M and MCC-X, was controlled by the Center of the European Space Agency (Toulouse, France).

Technical coordination of work on the Russian segment of the ISS and its integration with the American segment is carried out by the Council of Chief Designers under the leadership of the President, General Designer of RSC Energia. S.P. Korolev, RAS academician Yu.P. Semenov.
Management of the preparation and launch of elements of the Russian segment of the ISS is carried out by the Interstate Commission for Flight Support and Operation of Orbital Manned Complexes.

According to the existing international agreement, each project participant owns its segments on the ISS.

The leading organization in creating the Russian segment and its integration with the American segment is RSC Energia named after. S.P. Queen, and for the American segment - the Boeing company.

About 200 organizations take part in the production of elements of the Russian segment, including: Russian Academy of Sciences; experimental mechanical engineering plant RSC Energia named after. S.P. Queen; rocket and space plant GKNPTs im. M.V. Khrunicheva; GNP RKTs "TSSKB-Progress"; Design Bureau of General Mechanical Engineering; RNII of Space Instrumentation; Research Institute of Precision Instruments; RGNII TsPK im. Yu.A. Gagarin.

Russian segment: service module "Zvezda"; functional cargo block "Zarya"; docking compartment "Pirce".

American segment: node module "Unity"; gateway module "Quest"; Laboratory module "Destiny"

Canada has created a manipulator for the ISS on the LAB module - the 17.6-meter robotic arm "Canadarm".

Italy supplies the ISS with so-called Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLM). By 2009, three of them had been made: “Leonardo”, “Raffaello”, “Donatello” (“Leonardo”, “Raffaello”, “Donatello”). These are large cylinders (6.4 x 4.6 meters) with a docking unit. The empty logistics module weighs 4.5 tons and can be loaded with up to 10 tons of experimental equipment and consumables.

Delivery of people to the station is provided by Russian Soyuz and American shuttles (reusable shuttles); cargo is delivered by Russian Progress aircraft and American shuttles.

Japan created its first scientific orbital laboratory, which became the largest module of the ISS - "Kibo" (translated from Japanese as "Hope", the international abbreviation is JEM, Japanese Experiment Module).

At the request of the European Space Agency, a consortium of European aerospace firms built the Columbus research module. It is designed for conducting physical, materials science, medical-biological and other experiments in the absence of gravity. At ESA's request, the "Harmony" module was made, which connects the Kibo and Columbus modules, and also provides their power supply and data exchange.

Additional modules and devices were also made on the ISS: a module of the root segment and gyrodynes on node-1 (Node 1); energy module (SB AS section) on Z1; mobile service system; device for moving equipment and crew; device "B" of the equipment and crew movement system; farms S0, S1, P1, P3/P4, P5, S3/S4, S5, S6.

All ISS laboratory modules have standardized racks for installing blocks with experimental equipment. Over time, the ISS will acquire new units and modules: the Russian segment should be replenished with a scientific and energy platform, a multipurpose research module Enterprise and a second functional cargo block (FGB-2). The “Cupola” node, built in Italy, will be mounted on the Node 3 module. This is a dome with a number of very large windows, through which the inhabitants of the station, like in a theater, will be able to observe the arrival of ships and monitor the work of their colleagues in outer space.

History of the creation of the ISS

Work on the International Space Station began in 1993.

Russia proposed that the United States join forces in implementing manned programs. By that time, Russia had a 25-year history of operating the Salyut and Mir orbital stations, and also had invaluable experience in conducting long-term flights, research, and a developed space infrastructure. But by 1991 the country found itself in dire economic straits. At the same time, the creators of the Freedom orbital station (USA) also experienced financial difficulties.

On March 15, 1993, General Director of the Roscosmos agency A Yu.N. Koptev and general designer of NPO Energia Yu.P. Semenov approached NASA head Goldin with a proposal to create an International Space Station.

On September 2, 1993, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Viktor Chernomyrdin and US Vice President Al Gore signed a “Joint Statement on Cooperation in Space,” which provided for the creation of a joint station. On November 1, 1993, a “Detailed Work Plan for the International Space Station” was signed, and in June 1994, a contract between NASA and Roscosmos agencies “On supplies and services for the Mir station and the International Space Station” was signed.

The initial stage of construction involves the creation of a functionally complete station structure from a limited number of modules. The first to be launched into orbit by the Proton-K launch vehicle was the Zarya functional cargo unit (1998), made in Russia. The second ship to deliver the shuttle was the American docking module Node-1, Unity, with the functional cargo block (December 1998). The third launched was the Russian service module "Zvezda" (2000), which provides station control, crew life support, station orientation and orbit correction. The fourth is the American laboratory module "Destiny" (2001).

The first prime crew of the ISS, which arrived at the station on November 2, 2000 on the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft: William Shepherd (USA), ISS commander, flight engineer 2 of the Soyuz-TM-31 spacecraft; Sergey Krikalev (Russia), flight engineer of the Soyuz-TM-31 spacecraft; Yuri Gidzenko (Russia), ISS pilot, commander of the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft.

The flight duration of the ISS-1 crew was about four months. His return to Earth was carried out by the American Space Shuttle, which delivered the crew of the second main expedition to the ISS. The Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft remained a part of the ISS for six months and served as a rescue ship for the crew working on board.

In 2001, the P6 energy module was installed on the Z1 root segment, the Destiny laboratory module, the Quest airlock chamber, the Pirs docking compartment, two telescopic cargo booms, and a remote manipulator were delivered into orbit. In 2002, the station was replenished with three truss structures (S0, S1, P6), two of which are equipped with transport devices for moving the remote manipulator and astronauts during work in outer space.

Construction of the ISS was suspended due to the disaster of the American spaceship Columbia on February 1, 2003, and construction work was resumed in 2006.

In 2001 and twice in 2007, computer failures were recorded in the Russian and American segments. In 2006, smoke occurred in the Russian segment of the station. In the fall of 2007, the station crew carried out repair work on the solar battery.

New sections of solar panels were delivered to the station. At the end of 2007, the ISS was replenished with two pressurized modules. In October, the Discovery shuttle STS-120 brought the node-2 Harmony connecting module into orbit, which became the main berth for the shuttles.

The European laboratory module Columbus was launched into orbit on the Atlantis ship STS-122 and, with the help of this ship's manipulator, was placed in its regular place (February 2008). Then the Japanese Kibo module was introduced into the ISS (June 2008), its first element was delivered to the ISS by the Endeavor shuttle STS-123 (March 2008).

Prospects for the ISS

According to some pessimistic experts, the ISS is a waste of time and money. They believe that the station has not yet been built, but is already outdated.

However, in implementing the long-term program space flights Humanity cannot get to the Moon or Mars without the ISS.

From 2009, the permanent crew of the ISS will be increased to 9 people, and the number of experiments will increase. Russia has planned to conduct 331 experiments on the ISS in the coming years. The European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners have already built a new transport ship - the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which will be launched into the base orbit (300 kilometers high) by the Ariane-5 ES ATV rocket, from where the ATV, using its engines, will go into orbit ISS (400 kilometers above the Earth). The payload of this automatic ship, 10.3 meters long and 4.5 meters in diameter, is 7.5 tons. This will include experimental equipment, food, air, and water for the ISS crew. The first of the ATV series (September 2008) was named "Jules Verne". After docking with the ISS in automatic mode, the ATV can work in its composition for six months, after which the ship is loaded with garbage and flooded in a controlled mode. Pacific Ocean. ATVs are planned to be launched once a year, and at least 7 of them will be built in total. The Japanese H-II automatic truck "Transfer Vehicle" (HTV), launched into orbit by the Japanese H-IIB launch vehicle, which is currently still being developed, will join the ISS program . The total weight of the HTV will be 16.5 tons, of which 6 tons are payload for the station. It will be able to remain docked to the ISS for up to one month.

The outdated shuttles will be retired from flights in 2010, and the new generation will appear no earlier than 2014-2015.
By 2010, Russian manned Soyuz spacecraft will be modernized: first of all, electronic control and communication systems will be replaced, which will increase the spacecraft's payload by reducing the weight of electronic equipment. The updated Soyuz will be able to remain on the station for almost a year. The Russian side will build the Clipper spacecraft (according to the plan, the first test manned flight into orbit is 2014, commissioning is 2016). This six-seat reusable winged shuttle is conceived in two versions: with an aggregate compartment (ABO) or an engine compartment (DO). The Clipper, which has ascended into space into a relatively low orbit, will be followed by the interorbital tug Parom. "Ferry" - new development, designed to replace the cargo "Progress" over time. This tug must pull so-called “containers”, cargo “barrels” with a minimum of equipment (4-13 tons of cargo) from a low reference orbit to the ISS orbit, launched into space using Soyuz or Proton. The Parom has two docking ports: one for the container, the second for mooring to the ISS. After the container is launched into orbit, the ferry, using its propulsion system, descends to it, docks with it and lifts it to the ISS. And after unloading the container, Parom lowers it into a lower orbit, where it undocks and independently slows down to burn up in the atmosphere. The tug will have to wait for a new container to deliver it to the ISS.

Official website of RSC Energia: http://www.energia.ru/rus/iss/iss.html

Official website of the Boeing Corporation: http://www.boeing.com

Official website of the flight control center: http://www.mcc.rsa.ru

Official website of the US National Aerospace Agency (NASA): http://www.nasa.gov

Official website of the European Space Agency (ESA): http://www.esa.int/esaCP/index.html

Official website of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA): http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html

Official website of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA): http://www.space.gc.ca/index.html

Official website of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB):