
Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, has just announced that soon there will be the country's newest space station, the Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS).
However, the first module of the ROSS station, a research and power node, is expected to be launched in 2027, followed by the installation of three more significant modules by 2030. Nonetheless, two additional "special-purpose" modules will be attached to the station by 2033.
This space station will orbit around the Earth at an altitude of around 250 miles, in a polar, sun-synchronous orbit.
This orbit is particularly useful for the observation of the entire planet's surface which will aim to provide a valuable view of the Northern Sea Route, which is strategically important for Russia.
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It will be equipped with several innovative equipment, including advanced sensors and instruments that permit the monitoring of the Earth's surface, oceans, and atmosphere.
The space station will be able to accommodate cosmonauts; the first crew is likely to arrive in 2028. Activities that the crew members will be involved in include scientific research, maintenance of the station, and spacewalks. Nevertheless, the station may also work without a crewman, which will help in continuous monitoring and research.
The successful completion of the project relies on the next-generation heavy-lift Angara A5 rocket. The rocket has recorded three successful orbital flight tests since 2014. However, the rocket experienced a partial failure in 2021 that can impact the space station’s schedule.
The ROSS project is estimated to cost around $7 billion, thus forming a large investment for Russia's space program.