--- title: "Russia’s Space Station Module Launch Was Filled With Drama" description: "From Russia With Love Despite confirming it would abandon the International Space Station eventually, Russia’s federal space agency Roscosmos had one last contribution to make. Russia’s brand new space space station called Nauka successfully launched into space earlier this week — but there was a change of plans. Unconfirmed reports emerged of a main engine […]" date: "2021-07-23" modified: "2021-07-23" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/russias-space-station-module-launch-drama" categories: - "Off-World" - "Space" tags: - "international space station" - "Roscosmos" - "Russia" - "the digest" --- # Russia’s Space Station Module Launch Was Filled With Drama ![Despite confirming it would abandon the International Space Station eventually, Russia's federal space agency Roscosmos had one last contribution to make.]() *\Image: Roscosmos\* ## From Russia With Love Despite confirming it would eventually [abandon the International Space Station](), Russia's federal space agency Roscosmos had one last contribution to make. Russia's brand new space station module called Nauka [successfully launched]() into space on Wednesday — but there was a change of plans once it entered space. [Unconfirmed reports emerged]() of a main engine failure cutting the module's efforts to raise its orbit short. It's an unfortunate bit of a drama for a space lab that was meant to launch in 2007, as [*Gizmodo* points out](), but had to be delayed due to technical problems at the time. ## Raising Orbit Fortunately, Roscosmos [later announced on Twitter]() that the "test activation of the propulsion system of the module Nauka and the orbit formation impulse were worked out normally." As is characteristic of the space agency, the messaging around the incident was rather vague. It's still unclear if Nauka's main engines were ever ignited — or if there was an issue with them to begin with. The agency [released orbital parameters]() of two correction maneuvers, showing how its orbit was adjusted. "Thus, the telemetry confirmed the module propulsion unit operability," the update read. Harvard Center for Astrophysics astronomer Jonathan McDowell [noted early Friday morning]() that Nauka's orbital data shows that it is "still in the post-maneuver orbit, no additional orbit changes yet." ## Goodbye Pirs The setback has forced Roscosmos to delay the departure of Russia's outgoing Pirs module from the ISS, a 20-year-old segment that is scheduled to be de-orbited. The segment was meant to be replaced with the Nauka module. A pair of cosmonauts [spent hours]() during a spacewalk in early June to set up the dismemberment of the module from the ISS. Roscosmos [has now delayed]() Pirs' departure until Saturday so engineers have more time to figure out what to do with the Nauka module. It's an unfortunate kerfuffle — and arguably the last thing the space agency needs in its plans to [establish its own space station](). **READ MORE:** [Russia Averts Possible Disaster as New Space Station Module Finally Reaches Proper Orbit]() \[*Gizmodo*\] **More on Roscosmos:** *[Russia Wants to Send a Nuclear-Powered "Space Tug" to Jupiter]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()