|
|
|
Take a Tour of Mir
Kvant-1
(back to Tour)
You enter Kvant-1, the "Astrophysics module," by floating through the
rear tunnel of the Core Module. Launched in March 1987, Kvant-1 was Core
Module's first companion, and was originally intended to provide information
for research into the physics of active galaxies, quasars, and neutron stars by
measuring electromagnetic spectra and X-ray emissions. Kvant-1 is 19 feet long
and 14 feet in diameter and consists of three
separate areas. The first area you enter, coming from Core Module, is the short
forward transfer tunnel. Beyond that, the main lab compartment was originally
meant to house the controls for scientific apparatus. Finally, a longer tunnel
leads to the rear-facing docking drogue, where the Progress cargo-supply
spacecraft docks. This area is now referred to as the "attic," as it is used
as a staging area to move material to be sent back to Earth into the
Progress.
Kvant-1 also has six gyrodynes—magnetically suspended flywheel
control-moment gyroscopes, spun in pairs at 10,000rpm, one pair on each of
three cartesian axes. These convert electricity from solar panels into torque
in order to orient the entire Mir complex without using fuel.
Footage: NASA.
Q&A |
Tour of Mir |
Day in the Life
Next Space Station |
Mishaps |
Resources
Teacher's Guide |
Transcript |
Site Map |
Terror Home
Editor's Picks |
Previous Sites |
Join Us/E-mail |
TV/Web Schedule
About NOVA |
Teachers |
Site Map |
Shop |
Jobs |
Search |
To print
PBS Online |
NOVA Online |
WGBH
© | Updated November 2000
|
|
|