Update on Proton-M with the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome, active work continues on preparations for the launch of the Proton-M launch vehicle with the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module. According to the work program, on July 17, 2021, the space rocket was delivered to the launch complex of site No. 200 and installed in a vertical position.

After providing the service unit and connecting the necessary communications, the specialists of the branches of the State Corporation Roscosmos will begin to work according to the schedule of the first day of launch. For today are planned: protection operations of the telemetry control system and ground measuring instruments (SNI), control of the initial state of the SNI parameters, autonomous checks of the launch vehicle, removal of protection and safety elements from the turning nodes of the fins of the windshield supports and of the pneumatic pushers, as well as of the protection operations of the launch vehicles of the control system, etc.

The launch of the Proton-M carrier rocket is scheduled for July 21, 2021 at 17:58:21 Moscow time. Nauka is a multipurpose laboratory module for the Russian segment of the International Space Station. It was created by the cooperation of enterprises in order to implement the scientific experiment program and expand the functionality of the Russian segment of the ISS. The new Russian module is designed to increase the technical and operational capabilities of the Russian segment of the International Space Station.