Space

Russia to add three new modules to ISS by 2011

RIA Novosti

09/11/2007 15:55 MOSCOW, November 9 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will build three additional modules for its segment of the International Space Station (ISS) by 2011, the head of Russia's space agency, Roskosmos, announced on Friday.

The ISS is a joint project of the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Canada and Japan. The orbital station is likely to remain operational until 2020.

"Russia will add three new modules, including a lab module, to its segment of the ISS," Anatoly Perminov said, adding that each module would have at least five-year service life.

He also said new energy modules would be added to the station after 2011.

The first ISS element, the Russian Zarya module, was put into orbit in November 1998. Several modules have been attached to the structure since then, but ongoing construction has missed the initial deadline, largely due to the delays in U.S. shuttle launches.

Upon its completion, the ISS will weight 470 tons and be 109 meters long, 88.4 meters wide. Its total cost is expected to be $40 billion.