Russia successfully launched the Prichal docking module (aka Uzlovoy Module) on a Soyuz 2-1b from Baikonur Cosmodrome, near Tyuratam, Kazakhstan at 1306 GMT on 24 November towards the International Space Station (ISS). For the Prichal module Roscosmos is conducting a two-day approach pattern with it expected to rendezvous with the nadir (Earth facing) port of the Nauka Module at 1123 GMT on 26 November.
Soyuz 2-1b launches Prichal docking module on its way to the ISS. Courtesy: Roscosmos/NASATV
Prichal has six docking ports, one of which will be used for the connection to the ISS. This represents a considerable uplift over the currently attached Poisk and now departed Pirs docking modules which only had two ports, of which only one was free for use by visiting spacecraft.
The module is also Kurs system equipped to allow automatic docking of Soyuz and Progress spacecraft, and allows for the transfer of fuel through to the station from tanker spacecraft. While effectively constructed nine years ago, the launch of Prichal was effected by delays to the now launched Nauka module. To facilitate transport to the station the new module was attached to a Progress M-UM freighter, unlike the larger Nauka unit which was able to conduct its own orbital transfer and docking (not without incident however, read our article concerning the eventful docking of Nauka to the ISS here). From now on while Poisk (and the aft Zvezda) ports are likely to handle Progress freighter dockings (mainly because Progress engines are used for orbit raising), the Prichal and Rassvet ports are to handle crewed Soyuz dockings.
Update on 26 November 2021: The Prichal module docked at the nadir (Earth facing) port of the Nauka module at 1519 GMT on 26 November 2021. The day before Progress MS-17 (ISS-78P) had undocked from the module at 1123 GMT on 25 November 2021 and re–entered later that day.
Prichal approaches the ISS. Courtesy: NASA TV
Matt Wilson contributed to this article.
