Zvezda, the Russian word for star, is the primary Russian contribution to the ISS. The Zvezda module has many parts and will house the four large gyroscopes that later will be activated to provide ISS attitude (orientation) control. It also will serve as an early exterior framework where the first U.S. solar arrays will be temporarily mounted for early power. During the flight, astronauts will install a Ku-band communications system, which eventually will support early science, and U.S. television capability.
The 42,000-pound module, similar in layout to the core module of Russian Mir space station, will provide the early station living quarters; life support system; electrical power distribution; data processing system; flight control system; and propulsion system. It also will provide a communications system that includes remote command capabilities from ground flight controllers.
The module has a solar array wingspan of 98 feet tip to tip, and is 43 feet long from end to end. Zvezda contains three pressurized compartments: a small, spherical Transfer Compartment at the forward end; the long, cylindrical main Work Compartment; and the small, cylindrical Transfer Chamber at the aft end. An unpressurized Assembly Compartment is wrapped around the exterior of the Transfer Chamber at the aft of the module and holds external equipment such as propellant tanks, thrusters and communications antennas.
The module includes four docking ports, one in the aft Transfer Chamber and three in the spherical forward Transfer Compartment -- one facing forward, one facing up and one facing down. The aft docking port has a probe and cone docking mechanism to allow dockings by Progress resupply spacecraft and Soyuz piloted spacecraft. Zvezda is also outfitted with an automated rendezvous and docking system. The Zarya control module will dock to the forward docking port. Other modules and equipment, including a Russian Science Power Platform and a Russian Universal Docking Module, eventually will occupy the remaining two forward docking ports.
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Facts About Zvezda Module