Tech
Russian rocket finally launches after 17 year delay
A Russian rocket has launched a day after Jeff bezos took off into space
The Russian rocket will deliver a new science module to the International space station.
The 13m-long, 20-tonne Nauka laboratory will go on the rear of the orbiting platform, connected to the other major Russian segments, Zvezda and Zarya.
The new module carries a large robotic arm supplied by the European Space Agency.
This is very much delayed. It was originally supposed to launch in 2007
The module will result in a significant boost in habitable volume for the ISS, raising it by 70 cubic metres.
Moscow officials recently warned about the more-than-20-year age of some of their on-orbit hardware and intimated the country could pull out of the station in 2025
Nauka’s long gestation has severely impacted the schedule of its 11m-long European robotic arm (ERA).
The ERA was completed so long ago that it had to be put in storage.
Nauka’s flight to the ISS will take just over the week.
Final attachment is not expected until 29 July at the earliest.