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This is the new Russian space station element just launched. It had a history of delays. The last 2 were from metal filings in it's fuel tanks. I suspect the metal bits made themselves known again. From this link we see:Initially, Nauka was built as a backup for FGB Zarya, the first module of the ISS. Construction started in 1995, with a design based on the hull of the Soviet cargo ship TKS, itself a part of the Almaz military program which included orbital stations, a supply cargo ship, and crewed ships with reusable descent modules.
Nauka is in fact the last surviving, active part of the Almaz program, excluding the hulls and ships which were sold to the Excalibur-Almaz company and to museums for exhibition. |
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