Module "Zarya"

Launch, orbit & landing data: Designation  25544 / 98067A Launch date - time  20 Nov 1998 - 06:40 UT Launch site  Baikonur, LC81L Launch vehicle  Proton-K (8K82K n°395-01) OKB name - S/Nº  77KM nº17501 Mass (kg)  19323 kg Initial orbit:    - Perigee / Apogee  184 x 362 km    - Inclination  51.62°    - Period  89.7 min Descent date - time  Still in use Flight Duration (dd:hh:min)   Nbr orbits

Zarya module as seen from STS-88 (NASA)

Summary

• Zarya (rus. Заря, meaning sunrise), also known as the Functional Cargo Block or the FGB (the russian acronym for функционально-грузовой блок), was the first module launched of the International Space Station. The FGB provided electrical power, storage, propulsion, and guidance, to the ISS during the initial stage of assembly. As other modules with more specialized functionality are constructed, the Zarya's role will primarily be storage, both inside the pressurized section and in the externally mounted fuel tanks.
  
  
• The Zarya FGB was funded by NASA and built by Khrunichev in Moscow under subcontract from Boeing for NASA. Its design from the TKS military station resupply spacecraft of the 1970’s and the later 77KS Mir modules. Zarya included a multiple docking adapter, a pressurised cabin section, and a propulsion/instrument section with a rear docking port. Initial orbit was 176 lm x 343 km x 51.6 degrees. By November 25 it had manoeuvred to a 383 km x 396 km x 51.7 degree orbit, awaiting the launch of Shuttle mission STS-88 which docked the Unity node to it.
• Zarya was only designed to fly autonomously for six to eight months, Zarya was required to fly autonomously for almost two years due to delays to the Russian Service Module. Finally, on July 12, 2000, Zvezda was launched and docked on July 26th using the Russian Kurs system.

• Zarya has three docking ports, one on each end, and one on the side. ISS Zvezda is attached to one of the ends, the Unity Module to the other, with the side (the axial or nadir port) used to dock with either a Russian Soyuz or a Progress spacecraft. It has two solar arrays, measuring 10.67 m by 3.35 m, and six nickel-cadmium batteries that can provide on the average 3 kilowatts of power. Zarya has 16 external fuel tanks that can hold over 6 tons of propellant, with 24 large steering jets, 12 small steering jets, and two large engines for reboost and major orbital changes.
• The Salyut space station was originally intended to be called Zarya, but the name was reserved for the FGB. The name "Zaria", meaning "Sunrise" in Russian, was given to the FGB because it signified the dawn of a new era of international cooperation in space.
• Zarya initially had problems with battery charging circuits, but those were resolved. It will eventually require supplemental micro meteor shielding, as it was given an exemption to the ISS rules when it launched.
• Zarya passed the 50,000-orbit mark at 15:17 UTC. on August 14, 2007, during the STS-118 mission to the International Space Station.

Specifications

• Length: 12.56 m
• Diameter: 4.11 m
• Solar array length: 10.67 m
• Solar array width: 3.35 m
• Mass: 19,323 kg

Mission details:

• The launch of the Zarya module was successful on Nov 20, 1998 at 0640 UTC. Zarya is the first element of the International Space Station. It was funded by the US and built by Krunichev in Moscow, and will be controlled by RKA/Energiya in Korolev. Krunichev built it under a subcontract from Boeing for NASA. The Zarya derives its design from the TKS spaceship and the 77KS Mir side modules. Zarya is the Funktional'no-Gruzovoy Blok (FGB), serial 77KM No 175-01. It includes a multiple docking adapter, a pressurised cabin section, and a propulsion/instrument section with a rear docking port.
• Zarya was launched by a three stage Proton-K (8K82K) rocket, serial 395-01, from pad 81L at 5-GIK (the Baykonur cosmodrome). The third stage and Zarya reached orbit 9 min after takeoff. Initial orbit was 176 x 343 km x 51.6 deg. By Nov 25 it had maneuvered to a 383 x 396 km x 51.7 deg orbit, awaiting the launch of Shuttle mission STS-88 which will dock the Unity node to it.

External links:

• Capcomespace: Module Zarya. (in French)
• ENERGIA: Zarya module.

Astrophilately covers:

Launch cancel Polevsa?, send registrated.

Launch cancel,Baikonur, Kazackstan stamp. Credit: #401