Vladimir Solovyov, Twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Pilot-Cosmonaut of the USSR, RSC Energia Designer General (part of Roscosmos), Flight Director of the Russian Segment of the International Space Station:
‘On July 29, the Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module was docked with the International Space Station. At all stages of the module’s flight, its rendezvous system worked reliably and stably. During the final rendezvous, slight fluctuations were noticed, which were eliminated by the docking system. This resulted in smooth docking and touchdown at rated speeds, which in turn resulted in mechanical coupling.
The docking mechanics worked reliably, without any comments and led to the closure of both docking mechanisms of the station and the module. Due to a short-term software failure, a direct command was mistakenly implemented to turn on the module’s engines for withdrawal, which led to some modification of the orientation of the complex as a whole.
This situation was quickly countered by the propulsion system of the Zvezda module. At the moment, the station is in its normal orientation, all the ISS and the multipurpose laboratory module systems are operating normally. A reliable internal power and command interface was created, as well as a power supply interface that connected the module to the station.
The crew is now busy balancing the pressure in the Nauka module. This is a rather lengthy procedure, because the total volume of the module is about 70 cubic meters. In the afternoon, the crew will open the hatches, enter the module, turn on the necessary means of purifying the atmosphere and begin normal regular work. The Chief Operating Control Group operates normally and manages the entire complex, including the Nauka module.’
