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December 28, 2009. Kennedy Space Center, USA, Florida —
RSC Energia after S.P. Korolev, the city of Korolev, Russia, Moscow Region
At Kennedy Space Center (KSC), USA, Florida, the specialists from S.P. Korolev Rocket-Space Corporation Energia started the next stage of prelaunch processing for Mini-Research Module MRM1 ("Rassvet"), which is to be delivered in the Shuttle payload compartment to the International Space Station (ISS) in spring 2010 for its subsequent operation as part of the ISS Russian Segment.
On December 17, 2009 airplane AN-124 "Ruslan" carrying the module and ground process equipment kit arrived on the landing strip of KSC airfield. Upon unloading, the equipment was delivered to prelaunch processing facility (SPPF) run by the Astrotech (earlier the Spacehab), where the module together with the resupply equipment of multipurpose laboratory module, airlock and radiator, would have to go through autonomous and integrated tests.
During the previous week, the module, airlock and radiator had been accommodated at workstation for testing, ground test equipment had been installed.
At the present time, MRM1 systems internal and external inspection is being carried out, autonomous electric tests of airlock and radiator leak checks are started; works are underway to connect onboard process cable network.
For reference:
- Launch of the Rassvet Module onboard the Shuttle Orbiter is foreseen by the Russian-American Agreement under the ISS Program.
- In 2012, multipurpose laboratory module is expected to be made part of the station.
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