Pressurized modules
Zarya (Russian: , lit. 'Dawn'), also known as the Functional Cargo Block or FGB (Russian: , lit. 'Funktsionalno-gruzovoy blok', or ФГБ), was the first ISS module to be launched.[129] The FGB provided electrical power, storage, propulsion and guidance during the first phase of assembly. After the launch and assembly in orbit of other more specialized modules that replaced its functionalities, Zarya is currently used mainly as a warehouse, both inside and in the external fuel tanks. The Zarya descends from the TKS ship designed for the Russian Salyut program. The name Zarya, meaning "dawn",[129] was given to the FGB because it signified the beginning of a new era for international cooperation in space. Although it was built by a Russian company, the owner of the module is the United States.[130].
Zarya was built between and at the Khrunichev State Space Research and Development Center in Moscow[129] for a service life of a minimum of 15 years and launched on a Russian Proton rocket from Site 81 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to a high orbit. After Zarya reached orbit, the STS-88 mission was launched to dock the Unity module.
The Unity docking module, also known as Node 1, was the first component of the ISS built by the United States. It connects the Russian and American segments of the station and is where the crew eats together.
The module has a cylindrical shape, with six docking ports (bow, stern, port, starboard, zenith, and nadir) facilitating connections with other modules. Unity measures 4.57 meters in diameter, 5.47 meters long, is made of steel and was built for NASA by Boeing at a Marshall Space Flight Center facility in Huntsville, Alabama. Unity is the first of the three connection modules; the other two are Harmony "Harmony (Node 2)") and Tranquility "Tranquility (Node 3)").[131].
Unity was carried into orbit as Endeavor's primary payload on mission STS-88, the first space shuttle mission dedicated to station construction. On December 6, 1998, the STS-88 crew docked the aft PMA of Unity with the front port of the Zarya module.[132] This was the first connection between two modules of the station.
Zvezda (Russian: , lit. 'Star'), Salyut DOS-8, also known as the Zvezda Service Module, is a module of the ISS. It was the third module to be launched and provides all life support systems, some of which are supplemented on the USOS"), as well as accommodation for two crew members. It is the structural and functional center of the Russian Orbital Segment. Here the crew meets to manage emergencies on the station.[133][134][135].
The basic structure of Zvezda, known as "DOS-8", was initially built in the mid-1980s to form the core of the Mir-2 space station. This means that the Zvezda has a similar layout to the core (DOS-7) of the Mir "Mir (space station)"). In fact for a time it was labeled Mir-2 at the factory. The background to the design takes us back to the original Salyut stations. The structure was completed in February 1985 and the main equipment was installed in October 1986.
The rocket used in its launch to the ISS carried advertising, the Pizza Hut logo,[136][137][138] for which they supposedly paid more than 1 million dollars.[139] The money helped support the Khrunichev State Space Research and Development Center") and the Russian advertising agencies that orchestrated the event.[137].
On July 26, 2000, Zvezda became the third component of the ISS when it docked with the stern of Zarya. (The Unity module had already been docked to the Zarya.) Later, the Zvezda computers received the baton from the Zarya computers and began controlling the station.[140].
The Destiny module, also known as the US Laboratory, is the United States' primary research facility aboard the International Space Station.[141][142] It was docked at Unity and activated for a five-day period in February 2001.[143] Destiny is NASA's first permanent orbiting research station since Skylab was abandoned in February 1974.
Boeing began construction of the 14.5-ton laboratory in 1995 at the Michoud Assembly Facility and then at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Destiny was transported to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in 1998, and was delivered to NASA for pre-launch preparations in August 2000. It was launched on February 7, 2001 aboard the Atlantis on mission STS-98.[143].
The Quest Joint Lock, formerly known as the Joint Lock Module, is the station's main lock. Quest was designed to support extravehicular activity carried out with the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) suits and the Orlan Spacesuit"). The airlock was launched on the STS-104 mission on July 14, 2001. Americans from a docked Space Shuttle. The arrival of the Pirs docking module on September 17, 2001 provided another airlock from which to perform spacewalks with the Orlan suits.[145]
Pirs (Russian: , lit. 'Pier') and Poisk (Russian: , lit. 'Search') are Russian airlock modules, each having two identical hatches. An outward-opening Mir hatch failed after being forced open due to a small pressure difference.[146] All of the station's EVA hatches open inwards, avoiding this risk. Pirs was used to store, service and rehabilitate Russian Orlan suits and provided a contingency entry for crew wearing the slightly bulkier American suits. Docking ports found at the ends of these modules allow for docking of Soyuz and Progress spacecraft, as well as automatic fuel transfer to and from the Russian segment of the station.[147]
Pirs was launched on September 14, 2001, as the ISS Assembly Mission 4R, on a Russian Soyuz-U rocket, using a modified Progress (ship), Progress M-SO1"), as the upper stage.[148] Poisk was launched on [149][150] coupled to another modified Progress, called Progress M-MIM2"), in a Soyuz-U from Launch Pad 1 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
On July 26, 2021, the Pirs was undocked from the station using the Progress MS-16") to be incinerated during reentry, being the first permanent module of the station to be removed from service. This leaves the necessary space for the docking of the Nauka.
Harmony, also known as Node 2, is the "nerve center" of the ISS. It connects laboratory modules in the United States, Europe and Japan, in addition to providing electrical power and data connections. Four of the crew members sleep here.[151].
Harmony was successfully launched aboard the STS-120 mission on October 23, 2007.[152][153] After being temporarily docked to the port side of Unity,[154] it was moved to its permanent location on the bow of the Destiny laboratory on November 14, 2007.[155] Harmony added 75.5 m to the volume of the station, an increase of almost 20%, from 424.75 m to 500.25 m. The installation of this module meant that, from NASA's perspective, the core of the US segment of the station was complete.[156].
Tranquility, also known as Node 3, is an ISS module containing environmental control systems, life support systems, a bathroom, exercise equipment, and an observation dome.
Thales Alenia Space built the module for ESA and the Italian Space Agency. A ceremony on November 20, 2009 transferred ownership of the module to NASA.[157] On February 8, 2010, NASA launched the module on Space Shuttle mission STS-130.[158].
Columbus is a scientific laboratory that is part of the ISS and represents the largest contribution to the station by the European Space Agency (ESA).
The Columbus laboratory flew to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on an Airbus Beluga. It was launched aboard Atlantis on mission STS-122. It is designed for a minimum of ten years of operation. The module is controlled from the Columbus Control Center), which is located at the German Space Operations Center (GSOC), part of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich, Germany.
The European Space Agency invested in the construction of Columbus, including the ground infrastructure necessary to control the module and the experiments carried out inside it.[159].
The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), known as Kibō, is a Japanese scientific module developed by JAXA. It is the largest module on the station and is docked to Harmony "Harmony (Node 2)"). The first two pieces of the Kibō were launched on the Space Shuttle missions STS-123 and STS-124. The third and final component was launched on STS-127.[160].
The Cupola is a module built by ESA that serves as an observatory. Its name comes from the Italian word cupola, which means "dome". Its seven windows are used for experiments, docking and Earth observations. It was launched aboard the Space Shuttle mission STS-130 on and docked to Tranquility (Node 3) "Tranquility (Node 3)"). With the docking of the Cupola, the construction of the ISS reached 85% completion. The central window has a diameter of .[161].
Rassvet (Russian: , lit. 'Dawn'), also known as the MRM-1 (Mini-Research Module 1) (Russian: , ) and formerly known as the DCM (Docking Cargo Module), is a component of the ISS. The module's design is similar to the Mir Docking Module launched on the STS-74 mission in 1995. Rassvet is primarily used for cargo storage and as a docking port for visiting ships. It flew to the ISS aboard Atlantis on mission STS-132 on ,[162] and was docked to the ISS on May 18.[163] On , Soyuz TMA-19") performed the first docking with the module.[164].
The Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) is a module of the ISSis. It was launched aboard the Space Shuttle on mission STS-133 and installed on .[165] Leonardo is mainly used for the storage of spare parts, waste and supplies for the ISS that until then were stored in different locations throughout the station. The PMM Leonardo was a Multipurpose Logistics Module (MPLM) before 2011, but was modified to its current configuration. It was previously used as one of three MPLMs that carried cargo to and from the station aboard the Space Shuttle.[166] The module is named after the Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci.
The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) is an expandable experimental module developed by Bigelow Aerospace, under contract with NASA, for testing as a temporary module for the ISS from 2016 to at least 2020. It arrived at the ISS on ,[167] and was docked to the station on , being expanded and pressurized on .[168].
The International Docking Adapter (IDA) is a docking system adapter developed to convert the APAS-95 (Androgynous Peripheral Attach System) to the NASA Docking System (NDS)/International Standard Docking System (IDSS). An IDA has been placed on each of the station's two free Pressurized Docking Adapters (PMAs), both connected to the module Harmony "Harmony (Node 2)").
IDA-1 was lost due to a SpaceX CRS-7 launch failure on .[169][170][171].
IDA-2 was launched on SpaceX CRS-9") on .[172] It was docked with PMA-2 during a spacewalk on .[173] The first docking was performed with the arrival of the Crew Dragon Demo-1 on .[174].
IDA-3 was launched on SpaceX CRS-18 in .[175] It was built mostly using spare parts to speed up the process.[176] It was docked and connected to PMA-3 during a spacewalk on .[177].
The Bishop Airlock Module (previously known as the NanoRacks Airlock Module) is a commercially funded airlock module that will be carried to the ISS on SpaceX CRS-21 in .[178][179] The module has been built by NanoRacks", Thales Alenia Space, and Boeing.[180] It will be used to deploy CubeSats, SmallSats, and other external payloads for NASA, CASIS"), and others. commercial and government clients.[181].
Nauka MLM), is a component of the ISS launched on July 21, 2021 at 14:58 UTC. The MLM is funded by Roscosmos. In the original ISS plans, Nauka was to use the Loading and Docking Module (DSM) location, but the DSM was later replaced by the Rassvet "Rassvet (International Space Station)" module and moved to the Zarya nadir port. The Nauka was planned to dock at the nadir port of the Zvezda "Zvezdá (module)"), replacing the Pirs.[182][183].
The launch of Nauka, initially planned for 2007, was repeatedly delayed for different reasons.[184] As of , the launch was scheduled for no earlier than spring 2021,[124] which would be the end of the warranty for some module systems. Finally, on July 21, 2021, it was launched aboard a Proton rocket "Proton (rocket)") from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. On July 29, 2021 at 13:29 UTC the module docked to the nadir port of the Zvezda "Zvezdá (module)") becoming part of the station.
Prichal, also known as the Uzlovoy Module or UM (Russian: , lit. 'Nodal Docking Module'),[185] is a spherical-shaped [186] module that will allow the docking of two energy and science modules during the final phase of station assembly, and will provide the Russian segment with additional docking ports to receive Soyuz MS and Progress MS spacecraft. UM will be launched in the third quarter of 2021.[187] It will be integrated with a special version of the Progress cargo ship and launched by a standard Soyuz rocket, docking at the nadir port of the Nauka module. One of the ports is equipped with an active hybrid docking system that allows it to dock with the MLM. The remaining five ports are passive hybrids allowing the docking of Soyuz and Progress vehicles as well as heavier modules and future ships with modified docking systems. The module would have served as the only permanent element of the now canceled OPSEK.[187][188][183].
Non-pressurized elements
The ISS has a large number of external components that do not require pressurization. The largest of these is the Integrated Truss Structure (ITS), on which the station's main solar panels and radiators are mounted.[189] The ITS consists of ten separate segments that form a long structure.[104].
The station was intended to have several smaller external components such as six robotic arms, three External Storage Platforms (ESPs) and four ExPRESS Logistics Carriers (ELCs). Its primary function is to store spare Orbital Replacement Units (ORUs). ORUs are parts that can be replaced when they fail or reach the end of their useful life, including pumps, storage tanks, antennas and battery units. These units are replaced by astronauts during their extravehicular activities or by robotic arms.[192] Several Space Shuttle missions were dedicated to carrying ORUs, including STS-129,[193] STS-133[194] and STS-134.[195] To date, only one other means of transporting ORUs—the Japanese cargo ship—has been used. HTV-2—which carried an FHRC and CTC-2 in its exposed section (EP).[196].
There are also smaller exhibition facilities mounted directly to the laboratory modules; The Kibō Exposed Facility forms the external part of the Kibō array,[197] and a facility at the European Columbus laboratory provides power and data connections to experiments such as the EuTEF (European Exposed Technology Facility)[198][199] and the Space Atomic Clock Array.[200] A remote sensing instrument, SAGE III-ISS"), was brought to the station on board. The largest payload mounted outside the station is the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), a particle physics experiment launched on STS-134 in , and mounted on the ITS. The AMS measures cosmic rays to look for clues to dark matter and antimatter.[203][204].
The External Commercial Cargo Accommodation Platform Bartolomeo"), manufactured by Airbus, was launched aboard the CRS-20 and coupled to the European module Columbus. It will provide 12 additional external spaces, expanding the eight of the ExPRESS Logistics Supports"), ten of the Kibō, and four of the Columbus. The system is designed to be operated robotically and will not require manual intervention from astronauts. It has been named in honor of Christopher Columbus' little brother.[205][206][207].
The Integrated Frame Structure serves as the basis for the station's main remote manipulator, the Mobile Maintenance System (MSS), which is made up of three main components:
• - Canadarm2, the station's largest robotic arm, has a mass of and is used to: dock and manipulate USOS ships and modules; securing crew members and equipment during extravehicular activities; and move the Dextre to perform jobs.[208].
• - Dextre is a robotic manipulator that has two arms and a rotating torso, equipped with tools, lights and cameras to replace ORUs and perform other tasks that require more precise control.[209].