We know so little about the cosmos, about how many unknown secrets it holds.No one can even realize about the mysteries of the universe.Although mankind is gradually moving towards this.Since ancient times, people want to understand what happens in space, which objects, but our planet in the solar system are as unravel the secrets that they hold.Many mysteries that hides a distant world, has led to the fact that scientists have begun to wonder how a person can go into space to study it.
So there was the first space station.And behind it - lots of other, more complex and multifunctional research facilities aimed at the conquest of outer space.
What is the space station?
This is an extremely complex installation designed to send researchers and scientists into space for experiments.It is located on the earth's orbit, and from there the scientists conveniently observe the atmosphere and the surface of the planet, to conduct other research.Such objectives are and to artificial satellites, but they are controlled from the ground, that is, there is no crew.
Periodically, members of the crew on the space station are replaced by new ones, but it happens rarely due to the cost of transport in space.In addition, periodically to send ships to move the necessary equipment, material support and provisions for astronauts.
In what countries have their own space station
As mentioned above, the creation and testing of systems of similar complexity - a very long and costly process.It requires not only significant funds but also scientists, able to cope with such problems.Therefore, only the major world powers can not afford to develop, run and maintain these devices.
orbital stations have the United States, Europe (ESA), Japan, China and Russia.At the end of the twentieth century, above the state joined together to form the International Space Station.Another participate and some other developed countries.
station "Mir»
One of the most successful projects for the construction of space equipment - station "Mir" produced by the Soviet Union.It was launched in 1986 (before the design and construction were carried out over ten years), and continued to operate until 2001.The space station "Mir" created literally bit by bit.Although the date of its launch in 1986 is considered, then launched only the first part, in the last ten years have been sent into orbit six blocks.Not a single commissioning year orbital station "Mir", the flooding which took place much later than planned.
provisions and other supplies were delivered to the space station with the help of transport vehicles "Progress".During the existence of the "World" was established four similar ship.To transfer data from the station to Earth, too, had its own special settings - ballistic missiles, called "Rainbow."During the period of existence of station it was visited more than a hundred astronauts.The longest stay was her Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov.
Flooding
In the 90 years of the last century, the station began multiple problems, and it was decided to stop the study.This is due to the fact that it lasted much longer than the estimated life, initially she had to work about ten years.In the year of flooding the space station "Mir" (2001), it was decided to send her to the southern region of the Pacific Ocean.
Causes of flooding
In January 2001, Russia had decided to flood the station.The company became unprofitable, the constant need for repairs, maintenance and too costly accidents took their toll.It was also proposed several projects of her conversion.The space station "Mir" was a value to Tehran, which was interested in how to track the movement and missile launches.In addition, there were questions about the significant job losses that will have to eliminate.Despite this, in 2001 (the year of flooding the space station "Mir"), it has been eliminated.
International Space Station
ISS space station - a complex, created by several states.In varying degrees, fifteen countries involved in its development.The first question of the creation of such a project came back in 1984, when the US government together with several other countries (Canada, Japan) have decided to create a super space station.Since the beginning of development, when was preparing a complex called "Freedom", it became clear that spending on the space program is too large for the state budget.Therefore, the Americans decided to seek support from other countries.
First of all, they, of course, appealed to the country, which has already had experience of the conquest of space - to the USSR, where there were similar problems: lack of funding, the implementation of projects is too expensive.Therefore, the cooperation of several states was quite reasonable solution.
agreement and launch
in 1992 between the US and Russia signed an agreement on joint exploration of outer space.Since that time, the country organize joint expeditions and share experiences.Six years later, the first element of the ISS has been sent into space.Today it consists of a set of modules, which is planned to gradually connect a few more.
ISS modules
The structure of the ISS consists of three research modules.This is an American laboratory 'Destiny', which was established in 2001, the center of "Columbus", founded by European explorers in 2008, and "Kibo" - Japanese unit delivered into orbit in the same year.Japanese research module was installed on the ISS last.His piecemeal sent into orbit, where it was mounted.
Russia does not have its full research module.But there are similar devices - "Search" and "Dawn".This small research modules, which in its functions a little less developed in comparison with the devices in other countries, but not much inferior to them.In addition, Russia now developed multi-functional station called "Science".It is planned that it will be launched in 2017.
"Salute"
space station "Salyut" - a long-term project of the USSR.Total number of such stations were several pieces, all of which were manned and were intended for the civil DOS program.This is the first Russian space station was launched into orbit in 1975 with the help of a rocket "Proton".
in 1960 created the first development of the space station.By this time there was a rocket "Proton" for transportation.Since the creation of such a complex device was a novelty scientist minds of the Soviet Union, the work went very slowly.In the process a number of problems.It was therefore decided to take advantage of developments designed for the "Union."All the "Salute" were very similar in their design.The main and largest compartment was working.
"Tiangong-1"
Chinese space station was launched recently - in 2011.So far, it is not designed to end, its construction will continue until 2020.As a result, it planned to build a very strong station.Translated word "Tiangong" means "heavenly palace".The weight of the device is approximately 8500 kg.Today the station is divided into two compartments.
Since the Chinese space industry plans to soon launch the next-generation station, the task "Tiangong-1" is very simple.The main objectives of the program are to work with the ships dock of the "Shenzhou", which is now delivering cargo to the station, debug existing modules and devices, if necessary, modify them, and to create normal conditions for a longer stay of astronauts in orbit.The following stations of Chinese production will already have a wider range of objectives and opportunities.
«Skylab»
only American space station was launched into orbit in 1973.It was aimed at carrying out studies on a variety of aspects."Skylab" conducted technological, biological and astrophysical research.At this station there were three long expeditions, it lasted until 1979, and then collapsed.
In "Skylab" and "Tiangong" had similar problems.Because only then began space exploration, the crew of "Skylab" was to explore how the process of adaptation of man in space, and to carry out some scientific experiments.
first expedition "Skylab" lasted only 28 days.The first astronauts repaired the damaged parts, and some little time to conduct research.During the second expedition, which lasted 59 days has been installed thermal insulation screen and replaced Hydroscope.The third expedition aboard "Skylab" lasted 84 days, a number of studies.
After completing the three expeditions offer several options of how to further proceed with the station, but because of the impossibility of its transportation to more distant orbit, it was decided to destroy the "Skylab".What happened in 1979.Some fragments of the station managed to maintain, they are now exhibited in museums.
Genesis
addition to the above, currently in orbit are two more stations without crew - inflatable Genesis I and Genesis II, which were created by a private company engaged in space tourism.They were launched in 2006 and 2007 respectively.These stations do not focus on the exploration of outer space.Their main distinctive ability - is that, once in orbit folded, they are laying, are beginning to increase significantly in size.
second model is better equipped module necessary sensors, as well as 22 video surveillance cameras.The project, organized by the company that created the vehicle, any person could be sent to the second module, a small object for 295 US dollars.Also aboard Genesis II has automatic bingo.
Results
Many boys as a child wanted to be astronauts, but few of them realize how it is difficult and dangerous profession.In the USSR, the space industry is a pride of every patriot.The achievements of Soviet scientists in this area are incredible.They are very important and noteworthy, as these researchers were pioneers in their field, they had to create their own everything.The first orbital space station had a breakthrough.They have opened a new era of the conquest of the universe.The set of astronauts who have been sent into orbit, failed to reach incredible heights and contribute to space exploration, revealing its secrets.
