NEW SPACE STATION MODULE LAUNCHED TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMPLEX The Russian “Nauka” Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) launched July 21 on a Proton-M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, beginning an eight-day flight for an automated docking to the Russian segment of the complex. “Nauka”, the Russian word for science, will replace the Pirs Docking Compartment, which will undock from the station July 23 to be deorbited by an unpiloted Progress supply ship after 20 years of service at the orbital outpost. The Multipurpose Laboratory Module will serve as a research lab, docking port and airlock for Russian segment spacewalks in future years.