Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: Roscosmos

Russia’s Roscosmos space agency has approved the preliminary design of the country’s orbital station, planned to be deployed in the 2027-2032 time period.

The orbiting facility features an open modular architecture, involving a node module with six docking ports to which other modules are connected. Those segments can be removed from orbit and replaced.

“With proper logistics, the service life of the station can be extended for decades, as needed,” according to a Roscosmos communiqué.

Image credit: Roscosmos

A matter of inclination

The orbiting complex would be placed in polar orbit of up to 97 degrees inclination. In contrast, the International Space Station has an orbital inclination of less than 52 degrees.

Roscosmos explains that by placing the facility into that orbital inclination, the station obtains an overview of the entire Earth’s surface, including the Northern Sea Route, which is strategically vital for Russia.

Russian cosmonauts stationed on the ISS can see about 60% of the Earth’s surface, of which only about 10% is the territory of Russia, the Roscosmos posting adds.

Roscosmos cosmonaut during space walk outside the International Space Station.
Image credit: NASA/ESA

Radar system

One central advantage of the Russian facility is high energy, which will allow testing of technologies “that is in demand in our astronautics, for example, radars and high-power antenna systems.”

Unlike the ISS, the new Russian station would be able to operate in “visiting mode” – without the constant presence of a crew, explains the posting on the official Telegram channel of the Roscosmos State Corporation.