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Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment Complex

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The Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment Complex (OPSEK) is the planned Russian successor to the International Space Station, with the main goal of supporting deep space exploration.[1]

Overview

Before the predicted decommission of the International Space Station in 2020, the Russian Space Agency plans to detach some of its modules, such as the Multipurpose Laboratory Module (to be launched to the ISS in 2012) and use them as a basis for a new space station.[2] The main purpose of OPSEK would be to support eventual manned Mars missions. All main components of the Mars expedition would first dock to the station, before leaving for Mars. As a secondary role, the station would also support lunar expeditions.[2]

On 17 June 2009, Russian space agency, Roskosmos officially informed the US about its intention to "build and prepare for operation the first elements of the orbital assembly and experimental piloted space complex by the end of the ISS life cycle."[2]

According to Russia's premiere manned spaceflight contractor RKK Energia, the new station must be able to perform the following tasks:[3]

  • Large spacecraft assembly
  • Flight tests and launches
  • Creating, servicing and completing inter-orbital tugs
  • Providing medical and biological conditions required for the rehabilitation of inter-planetary expedition crews after their return to earth orbit.

Modules

Expected Russian Orbital Segment modules around the time of OPSEK separation (2015/2020) arranged by launch dates:

  • 1998, Zarya (FGB-1) - owned by NASA, could be traded for Soyuz/Progress flights in the 2013[4]-2015/2020 timeframe
  • 2000, Zvezda - potential part of OPSEK, but not confirmed
  • 2009, Poisk - potential part of OPSEK, but not confirmed
  • 2010, Rassvet - docked at Zarya, if Zarya is not purchased/transferred it would have be moved to other ROS docking location
  • 2011, Nauka (FGB-2) - to form part of OPSEK
  • 2013, Nodal Module (if approved) - to form part of OPSEK
  • 2014, Science-Power Module-1 (if approved) - to form part of OPSEK
  • 2015, Science-Power Module-2 (if approved) - to form part of OPSEK

See also

Preceded by Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment Complex
2015/2020 - 		Succeeded by

References

  1. ^ "Russia 'to save its ISS modules'". BBC News. 2009-05-22. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
  2. ^ a b c Zak, Anataloy (2009-07-03). "Orbital Piloted Assembly and Experiment Complex". Russianspaceweb.com. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
  3. ^ "Russia could build orbital assembly complex after 2020 - Energiacorporation". Interfax. 2009-08-18. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  4. ^ NASA signs contract for Soyuz seats up to 2013.


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