The Russian space station “Ros” could operate as scheduled for 50 years, during which it would likely change its modules three times.
A source in the company “Energia”, which manufactures the station, says: “The principles that are relied upon in the design of the Russian Space Station (Ross), above all, are the principle of open modular architecture, which allows not to limit the life of the station due to the possibility of replacing expired units with new ones.”
He adds: “Units may be replaced either after their specified service period (at least 15 years), or when the unit becomes old and requires renewal and improvement of technical equipment, or in emergency situations that make it impossible for the unit to operate. “Maybe within 50 years we may change three generations of units.”
It is noteworthy that Vladimir Solovyov, Deputy General Director of “Energia” Company, the general designer of manned systems and complexes, had announced earlier that the designers are working on designing a new station with an operational lifespan of 50 years. During this time, the station plans to develop the basic technologies needed to fly to other planets, primarily to Mars.
The station is supposed to have a core scheduled to be launched into orbit in 2027, to which all other units will be connected within five years, which will make it possible to replace them.
