Rassvet (ISS module)

(SSPF) at Kennedy Space Center Rassvet was berthed to the nadir port of Zarya with help from the Canadarm2.{{cite web|url=http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=7493.0|title=MRM-1 for ISS Rassvet has two docking units: one to attach to the nadir port of the Zarya module and one to provide a docking port for a Soyuz or Progress spacecraft. It implements the role of the Docking and Storage Module from the original ISS design. Russia announced the cancellation of the last of the two planned Russian Research Modules when it announced the plans for Rassvet. == Initial planning ==

The initial ISS plan included a Docking and Storage Module (DSM). This planned Russian element was intended to provide facilities for stowage and an additional docking port and would have been launched to the station on a Proton launch vehicle. The DSM would have been mounted to Zaryas nadir (Earth-facing) docking port. It would have been similar in size and shape to the Zarya module. The DSM was canceled due to Russian budgetary constraints for some time, but its design was eventually modified into the Docking and Cargo Module (Rassvet) that was to be connected to the same Zarya location to provide storage space and a docking port. During the cancellation period, it was proposed that a Multi-Purpose Module (MPM) called Enterprise should be docked to Zarya, and later the Nauka was proposed to be located there as well, but the Enterprise module has since been canceled and Nauka was docked to Zvezdas nadir port instead. == Purpose ==

Rassvet was designed as a solution to two problems facing the ISS partners: • NASA was contracted to carry the Nauka outfitting equipment into space. • The overlapping missions of the Progress, Soyuz, and ATV spacecraft highlighted the need to have four Russian docking ports available on the ISS. The cancellation of both Russian Research Modules meant that the ISS would be left with just three such docking ports after the installation of the Leonardo module in 2011, which made the nadir port of Zarya unusable. Rassvet solved both of these issues. NASA did not need to add another payload flight to accommodate the Nauka outfitting equipment, as it could attach the hardware to the exterior of Rassvet. The ISS now had four docking ports available on the Russian segment: the aft port of Zvezda, the port of Pirs, later Nauka (on the nadir port of Zvezda), the port of Poisk (on the zenith port of Zvezda), and the port on Rassvet (on the nadir port of Zarya). Russia's cancellation of the Research Module thus became less consequential for the ISS program as a whole. == Design and construction ==

spacecraft docks to Rassvet in July 2011 with (clockwise from left) a Russian Progress uncrewed vehicle, two Soyuz crewed spacecraft, and an additional Progress vehicle currently docked. Viewing from starboard, facing to port, with zenith upwards, Rassvet can be seen attached to the nadir of Zarya. The module was designed and built by Energia, from the already-made pressurized hull of the mock-up for dynamic tests of the cancelled Science Power Platform. On 17 December 2009, an Antonov An-124 carrying the Rassvet Module and ground process equipment arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Upon unloading, the equipment was delivered to a prelaunch processing facility run by the Astrotech. Energia specialists and technicians continued their work on the processing of the Rassvet module at the facility, completing stand-alone electrical tests and leak tests of the module and the airlock. They also prepared the airlock and the radiative heat exchanger for installation onto Rassvet. The module was moved to NASA's Space Station Processing Facility on 2 April 2010. After completing the final touches, it was placed into the shuttle payload transporter on 5 April 2010. The payload canister containing the Rassvet Module arrived at LC-39A on 15 April 2010. Engineers at Launch Pad 39A preparing Space Shuttle Atlantis had noticed paint peeling from the Rassvet module. Although the problem was declared to have no impact on the operation of Rassvet, it posed a potential threat of releasing debris on orbit. == Visited spacecraft ==

Rassvet was connected to nadir port of Zarya on 18 May 2010. == Gallery ==

File:MRM1 Rassvet.png|Diagram showing the Nauka components attached to Rassvet at launch File:STS132 MRM1 Astrotech1.jpg|Rassvet at the Astrotech Facility File:STS-132 MRM1 Astrotech March1.jpg|Rassvet module development File:STS132 Mini-Research Module-1.jpg|Rassvet module == See also ==