3.3 TKS (1976-1983)
3.3.1 TKS Specifications
Launch weight .......................................... about 19,000 kg
Length ....................................................... 17.51 m
Diameter ................................................... 4.15 m
Span across solar arrays ........................... 16 m
Number of main engines .......................... 2
Main engine thrust (each) ......................... 400 kg
Habitable volume ..................................... about 60 m
Number of crew ........................................ 3*
Capsule diameter ...................................... 305 cm
Capsule height .......................................... 206 cm
*Never launched carrying a crew.
Figure 3-5. Cutaway of TKS vehicle. Details are conjectural. The broad black line outlines the vehicle’s pressurized compartments. A tunnel (stippled) connects the FGB and Merkur capsule.
3.3.4 TKS Missions
3.4 Cosmos 1686
Salyut 7 module—Transitional
vehicle (TKS to space station module) October 2, 1985-February 7, 1991 Figure 3-6. Cosmos 1686. Note the Merkur capsule (left), heavily modified to house scientific instruments.
3.4.1 Cosmos 1686 Specifications
Launch weight ......................................... about 20,000 kg
Length .................................................... 15 m
Span across solar arrays ......................... 16 m
Maximum diameter .................................. 4.15 m
Propellant mass at launch ........................ 3000 kg
Figure 3-7. Cosmos 1686 and Salyut 7.
3.5.1 Kvant Specifications
Total launch weight .................................. 20,600 kg
Mir module weight ................................... 11,000 kg
Functional Service Module (FSM) weight ..................................................... 9,600 kg Length ..................................................... 5.8 m Maximum diameter ................................... 4.15 m Habitable volume ...................................... 40 m3 Anticipated lifetime at launch ..................... 5 yr
3.6 Kvant 2
Mir module—augmentation of base
block’s capabilities, EVA airlock
November 26, 1989–present
3.6.1 Kvant 2 Specifications
Launch weight ........................................... 19,565 kg
Length ...................................................... 13.73 m
Diameter ................................................... 4.35 m
Habitable volume ....................................... 61.3 m
Span across solar arrays ............................ 24 m
Solar array capacity .................................. ~7 kW
Anticipated lifetime at launch ..................... 3 yr
Figure 3-9. Kvant 2 module. Kvant 2 houses an EVA airlock (hatch visible at left).
Figure 3-11. Repositioning Kvant module using Lyappa arm.
Figure 3-12. Kristall module. Kristall joined Mir in 1990. It carries two APAS-89 docking units (left).
3.7 Kristall
Mir module—Shuttle docking, materials processing, and Earth observation May 31, 1990–present
3.7.1 Kristall Specifications
Launch weight .......................................... 19,640 kg
Length ..................................................... 13.73 m
Diameter .................................................. 4.35 m
Habitable volume ....................................... 60.8 m
Span across solar arrays ........................... about 36 m (maximum)