Russia unveils new domestic orbital station

Vladimir Solovyov, the general designer of the Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, presented images and basic technical specifications of the new Russian orbital service station, which is to replace the Russian segment of the ISS. Illustrations of the two stages of the service station's deployment were published on Roscosmos state corporation's Telegram channel, as reported by Gazeta.ru.

The distinguishing feature of the prospective orbital station is the absence of a living quarter. Solovyov noted that this is associated with a new approach to space exploration. "Permanent human presence in orbit is costly, it is necessary to think over a new philosophy of manned missions, allowing to implement a system of visited stations without reducing the efficiency of the target work performed in orbit," he stressed.

Last year in September, the state corporation announced the deployment of a new station, which will replace the Russian segment of the ISS, in 5-6 years. As Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin explained, the station will become a prototype for modules that will travel to other planets in decades to come.