Module "Kristall"

Kristall module

Kristall cut-way view

Launch, orbit & landing data: Designation  20635 / 90048A Launch date - time  31 May 1990 - 10:33:20 UT Launch site  Baikonur, LC-200/39 Launch vehicle  Proton-K Mass (kg)  18720 kg Docking date - time  10 Jun 1990 - 10:47:22 UT Earth orbit on :    - Perigee / Apogee  220 / 346 km    - Inclination  51.6°    - Period  89.9 min Decay date - time ( with orbital complex "Mir")  23 Mar 2001 - 05:59:36 UT Flight Duration (d:hr:min)  3948d 19h Nbr orbits  61725

Kristall module taken by the STS-81 crew after undocking from the station.

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• The Kristall (77KST, TsM-T, 11F77T) module was the fourth module and the third major addition to the Mir space station. As with previous modules, its configuration was based on the 77K (TKS) module, and was originally named "Kvant 3".
• Kristall had several materials processing furnaces. They were called Krater 5, Optizon 1, Zona 2, and Zona 3. It also had a biotechnology experiment called the Aniur electrophoresis unit. These experiments were capable of generating 100 kg of raw materials for use on Earth. Located in the docking node was the Priroda 5 camera which was used for Earth resources experiments. Kristall also had several astronomy and astrophysics experiments which were designed to augment experiments that were already located in Kvant-1. Kristall′s solar panels were also different from others on Mir. They were designed to be "collapsible" which means that they could be deployed and retracted several times. One of Kristall′s solar panels was removed and re-deployed on Kvant-1 in 1995. That solar panel was later disposed of in November, 1997. Kristall also carried six gyrodines for attitude control and to augment those already on the station. The control system of Kristall was developed by the JSC "Khartron" (Kharkiv, Ukraine).
• List of experiments:
  • Ainur electrophoresis unit
  • Krater 5, Optizon 1, and CSK-1/Kristallizator semiconductor materials processing furnaces
  • Zona 2/3 materials processing furnaces
  • Buket gamma-ray spectrometer
  • Glazar 2 UV telescope - cosmic radiation studies
  • Granar astrophysics spectrometer
  • Marina gamma ray telescope
  • Mariya magnetic spectrometer
  • Priroda 5 Earth resources camera system - consists of 2 KFA-1000 film cameras
  • Svet plant cultivation unit

Mission details:

• The Kristall module was launched on May 31, 1990 and will carry an EVA ladder to assist the planned spacewalk repair of loose insulation blankets on the Soyuz TM-9 SA (descent module).
• The Kristall module docked on Jun 10, 1990 at 10:47:22 at the forward port after a postponement of several days due to worries about a thruster. Solov'yov and Balandin have been in space for 120 days.
• All modules of station "Mir"  (except for "Kvant"  ) was first docked to front port and latter the own manipulator arm pivoted the module at the proper radial port. This module of station "Mir" after docking to front port (-X axis) was redocked to radial docking port "bottom" (-Y axis), then over -X to -Z "right" axis, then again -X axis for docking with Atlantis,   then -Z axis. Module equipted with a special androgynous docking mechanism to receive spacecrafts weighing up to 100 tons (planned for docking with Buran Shuttles). This module was used for docking with american Shuttles. The Russian Docking Module was delivered and installed to androgynous docking port by Atlantis,   making it possible for the space shuttle to more easily dock with "Mir".
• Jun 10, 1990 at 10:47:22: docking of module "Kristall" to fore (transitional) unit (-X) of station "Mir"
• Jun 11, 1990: beginning of redocking of module "Kristall" from longitudinal fore unit of station "Mir" to radial one
• Jun 11, 1990: redocking of module "Kristall" to radial fore (transitional) unit (-Y) of station "Mir"
• May 26, 1995 at 23:07:44: beginning of redocking of module "Kristall" from radial fore unit (-Y) of station "Mir" to longitudinal one
• May 27, 1995 at 00:36:10: redocking of module "Kristall" to longitudinal fore (transitional) unit (-X) of station "Mir"
• May 29, 1995: beginning of redocking of module "Kristall" from longitudinal fore unit of station "Mir" to radial one
• May 29, 1995: redocking of module "Kristall" to radial fore (transitional) unit (-Z) of station "Mir"
• Jun 10, 1995: beginning of redocking of module "Kristall" from radial fore (transitional) unit (-Z) of station "Mir" to longitudinal one (preparing for docking with Atlantis)
• Jun 10, 1995: redocking of module "Kristall" to longitudinal fore unit of station "Mir"
• Jul 17, 1995 at 02:51:56: beginning of redocking of module "Kristall" from longitudinal fore unit of station "Mir" to radial one
• Jul 17, 1995: redocking of module "Kristall" to radial fore (transitional) unit (-Z) of station "Mir"; ended at 4:20...4:43 UT
• Mar 23, 2001 at 05:59:36: end of existence of module "Kristall" with orbital complex "Mir"

APAS-89 docking mechanisms on Kristall

The most notable feature of Kristall was its relation to the Soviet Buran program. Kristall carried two APAS-89 Androgynous Peripheral Attach System designed to be compatible with the Buran shuttle. One unit was located axially and the other was located radially. After the cancellation of the Buran program in 1993, the lateral docking port found use for the Shuttle-Mir Program. The radial port was never used. The axial port was tested by the modified Soyuz TM-16 spacecraft in 1993 in preparation for Shuttle dockings. On May 26, 1995, Kristall was moved from the -Y port on the Mir base block to the -X port. It was then moved on May 30 to -Z port in preparation for the arrival of the Spektr module. On June 10, Kristall was moved back to -X port to prepare for the upcoming Shuttle docking. The first Space Shuttle docking occurred in 1995 during STS-71 by the Space Shuttle Atlantis. On July 17, 1995, Kristall was moved one last time to its permanent position at the -Z port. For Buran dockings, the entire procedure of moving Kristall would have to be used. On STS-74, the next Shuttle docking, Atlantis carried a docking module that was attached to Kristall. This allowed future shuttle dockings to be carried out without the module rearrangement that had needed previously

Astrophilately covers:

Cosmic Mail: Special Russian and octagonal docking boardcancel 10.06.90 signed by the crew.