Watch Live as Russia Launches Its New ISS Module and Europe’s Robotic Arm - Gizmodo

Pirs will detach from the ISS on Friday July 23 and then burn up on reentry through Earth’s atmosphere (this procedure is contingent on a successful launch of the Nauka module).

As NASA Spaceflight reports, Pirs will be the first ISS module “to be decommissioned and removed from the outpost.”.

Roscomos says Nauka is “meant to expand the functionality of the Russian segment of the International Space Station.” The new segment will provide more room for running experiments and storing cargo and equipment (including water and oxygen regeneration equipment) and will “improve the conditions of cosmonauts’ stay.”.