Russia Averts Possible Disaster as New Space Station Module Finally Reaches Proper Orbit - Gizmodo
Russia’s new space station module, dubbed Nauka, is currently en route to the ISS, but the spacecraft initially failed to complete its first orbit-raising burn, leading to concerns that it might not complete the trip.
The module is expected to arrive at the International Space Station on July 29, at which time it will dock to the nadir port of Russia’s Zvezda module.
Today’s problem with the main thrusters is apparently not the only issue currently facing the mission.Any trouble that would prevent the Nauka module’s successful docking with the ISS would obviously be a major blow to Russia’s space station program, which has struggled lately with aging infrastructure and U.S.