Mir-2 (space station)

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The Mir-2 ( Russian Mir-2 ) was a manned space station planned by the Soviet Union . The first plans of NPO Energija go back to 1984. The project was based on the DOS-8 ( Russian ДОС, Долговременная орбитальная станция, Dolgowremennaja orbitalnaja stanzija for "long-term orbital station") module, which was built as a backup module of the DOS-7 of the Mir space station . After a number of plan changes, the modified module was finally used on the ISS under the name Zvezda .

history

The entire history of the Mir-2 is based on the DOS-8 module, the construction of which was started parallel to the DOS-7 module. The DOS-8 module was intended as a backup or to replace the DOS-7 base module of the Mir.

First plans

In 1984, probably also as a reaction to the planned US space station Freedom, the first plans existed for a gigantic space station, which was announced in 1988 under the name Mir-2.

The start of the DOS-8 module was planned in 1993. In the same year a gigantic, 76-ton core module was to be added by the start of the Energija . Between 1994 and 1997 the station was to be supplemented by a large grid structure with solar cells as well as a supply module, a technology module and a biotechnological module. From 1997 to 2000 the station was to be completed with four additional modules. The aim was to create an orbital assembly and operations center, which should also enable satellites to be repaired and large structures to be built in space. An inclination of 65 ° was planned, which was originally intended for the Mir, but could not be reached because of the large mass. The Buran was intended for the transport of the five-man crew .

Project freeze and new plans

The advancing project was delayed further and in 1989 the plans were finally cut back. The start of DOS-8 was now planned for 1994, the core module should follow in 1995.

However, these plans could not be adhered to either, eventually the project was stopped in 1991 and most of the plans were discarded.

From 1991 to 1993 two more ideas arose to use DOS-8. The first idea, as originally planned, was to replace Mir's DOS-7 with DOS-8. In the plan known as Mir-1.5, the module should be transported to the space station with the help of the Buran after the start with a Proton . Gradually, the old Mir modules should then be replaced by new modules. The second plan kept the concept of a new space station. At the end of the life of DOS-7, DOS-8 should be started. In addition to a grid structure with solar cells, a node module was planned. Discarded plans for easier planned Mir modules and the idea of ​​smaller, specialized modules that could start as a modified Progress space transporter with a Soyuz should complete the station. A service module, two research modules and a docking module with airlock were planned.

ISS

In the center, the Zvezda module with a docked Progress capsule and the Sarja module, recorded by STS-106

From 1993, the merging of the project with the planned US space station Freedom became more concrete after Boeing invited Energija officials to their headquarters in Seattle . Both sides agreed that by merging the projects, major cost savings were possible, since the Freedom project also suffered from rising costs.

The plan provided for the American, European and Japanese modules to be supplemented with the Russian DOS-8 base module, a universal node module, a docking module with an airlock and a service module. As early as 1997, the station should be able to permanently accommodate three crew members.

The proposal was politically accepted in 1992, and phase 1 of the ISS project started with the Shuttle Mir program .

The original plans underwent a number of adjustments and modifications, and in November 1998 the first module of the ISS finally started with Sarja . DOS-8, now known as Zvezda (Russian Звезда for star ), followed in July 2000.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Bart Hendrickx: From Mir-2 to the ISS Russian Segment . In: bis-space.com . accessed on June 1, 2017 (PDF; English)
  2. ^ Peter Bond: The Continuing Story of The International Space Station . Springer-Verlag Berlin. ISBN 1-85233-567-X .