The first module of the Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS), orbiting Earth at an altitude of approximately 400 km, is scheduled to launch into orbit in 2027.
The Russian space agency Roscosmos has revealed more details about the mission to construct the new space station named the Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS), as reported by Space on July 23. The first module of this X-shaped station will be an energy and research room, expected to launch into a near-polar orbit around Earth in 2027. By 2030, it will be fully integrated with four main modules, with two additional modules for “special purposes” planned to be added by 2033. Roscosmos aims to send the first astronauts to the station in 2028. However, the station can also operate without a crew.
Model of the new Russian space station displayed in 2022 in the suburbs of Moscow, Russia. (Photo: Space)
The ROSS will orbit Earth at a similar altitude to the International Space Station (ISS), approximately 400 km from the planet, in a near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit. This orbit is particularly beneficial for observing the entire surface of the planet, according to Roscosmos. The estimated cost for the station is about $7 billion.
The construction schedule for ROSS also depends on the success of the next-generation heavy-lift rocket Angara A5. This rocket has had three successful test flights to orbit since 2014, along with one partial failure in 2021.
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology will assist in building ROSS, but the majority of the work will be carried out by humans, according to Vladimir Kozhevnikov, the chief designer for ROSS. “Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving technology. We will use it to assist, but fundamentally, of course, we still rely on our brains,” Kozhevnikov stated.
Another chief designer, Vladimir Solovyov from the Energia rocket and space company, mentioned that ROSS will have “extraordinary” goals. “We will set entirely new, completely unusual objectives compared to Russian and other spacecraft, such as providing guidance for a fleet of satellites directly from the station,” Solovyov explained. This satellite fleet will operate in close proximity to the space station.
Russia has been a major member of the ISS since its launch into space in collaboration with NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The ISS is expected to retire around 2030, but Russia may withdraw from the station a few years earlier. With the new space station, Russia is considering partnerships with Brazil, India, China, South Africa, and several other African countries.
