Science and Power Modules SPM-2 and SPM-2 (NEM-1 and NEM-2) = [ OPSEK]

Planned Module for ISS Russian Section

07-21-10

The proposed last two (SPM-2 and SPM-2) long cylindrical scientific and power modules are tentatively planned for launch on the Proton–M booster in 2014 and 2015 if the funding is available from commercial and Russian, Federal Space Agency (“Roskosmos”) government sources. The intent of the last two NEM modules numbers 1 & 2 is to provide both power and large research laboratory space for the station and its partners as well as attaining the original purpose of the cancelled for lack of funding habitation Science and Power-supply platform (NEP) module. The larger modules are designed to provide large radiator surfaces for heat dissipation and large solar arrays on the opposite ends of the of the two modules docked 180 degrees from one another horizontally under the existing Russian ISS modules to the earth facing multiple docking port in front of the new MLM, FGB-2 Module Zarya like module. The NEM modules have a general mass of 20,000 kilograms with a maximum diameter of 4.1 meters with an approximate lengthy of 25.3 meters and possibly up to 100 meters cubed internal volume of which 12 meters cubed is habitable volume with 2,500 kilograms cargo capacity.

The October 22, 2005, Russian Federation government approved of FSP 2006-2015 expanded spaceflight development decision was based on the re appearance of the Soviet era like fiscal Five Year Plan ( 2006-2010) and the next five year plan called the five year Forecast Plan (2011-2015) cycle to Russian Federal Space Agency developments. Soon the Russian Federal Space Agency will replace the present FYP with the 2011-2015 five year plan followed by the 2016-2020 forecast plan.

Whether these new Science & Power Modules SPM-2 and SPM-2 for the crewed ISS come to fruition depends in large part on the economic reality of the Russian economy to support its fulfillment in the face of the world economic crisis.

It has already been stated by the Russian’s that as long as the U. S. supplies power cheaply as a trade off there will be no need to build the last modules for now except in the new post ISS space station program of Russia called OPSEK. Truly this leaves in doubt the fate of these modules in the new Russian Federal Space Agency five year plans of 2011-2015 and 2016-2020. Prime Minister Putin on July 19, 2010 suggested that the completion of the Russian segment of ISS should be accomplished in 2015.

 

 

Russian ISS Planned Segement Development Credit Roskosmos