NEW SPACE STATION MODULE DOCKS TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMPLEX
The Russian “Nauka” Multipurpose Laboratory (MLM) docked to the space station July 29 following a launch from the Baikonur Cosmondrome in Kazakhstan on July 21. “Nauka”, the Russian word for science, replaced the Pirs Docking Compartment which undocked from the station July 24 and was deorbited by an unpiloted Progress supply ship after 20 years of service at the orbiting outpost. The Multipurpose Laboratory Module will serve as a research lab, docking port, and airlock for Russian segment spacewalks.