Artist's concept of Enterprise module docked to Russian portion of International Space Station. Photo: SPACEHAB

A Joint Resolution Document between the Russian Aviation and Space Agency (RASA) and RSC Energia (RSCE) confirms agreements to replace the Docking and Stowage Module of the International Space Station (ISS) with the commercial module Enterprise.

Enterprise is being designed and built as a commercial venture by RSCE and SPACEHAB for launch and deployment in 2003. RSCE is the prime contractor for the Russian Segment of the International Space Station.

"RSC Energia and SPACEHAB are developing the commercial Multi-Purpose Module (MPM) Enterprise, the use of which has been fully coordinated with Rosaviakosmos [RASA], and we informed NASA," said RSCE Deputy General Designer and ISS Program Director Valery Ryumin. Mr. Ryumin is an experienced space traveler and veteran of Salyut, Mir and Space Shuttle missions.

"RSCE President and General Designer Yury Semenov has signed this Joint Resolution Document with the honorable Yury Koptev, General Director of Rosaviakosmos, confirming Enterprise as part of the Russian segment of ISS replacing what was formerly referred to as the Docking and Stowage Module," Mr. Ryumin added.

The existence of this document, completed May 19, 2000, was confirmed today by RSCE in the wake of announcements by other companies of potential plans to build their own module and attach it to the ISS. "This should clarify and eliminate any confusion," Mr. Ryumin said.

RSCE and SPACEHAB are constructing Enterprise. The first truly commercial facility to be attached to the ISS, it will serve as a multimedia production facility as well as supporting scientific research, station logistics and stowage and acting as a docking location for visiting Soyuz and Progress supply spacecraft.

"The safety systems, power requirements and capabilities and other engineering functions of Enterprise will naturally fit seamlessly into the ISS," said Boris Sotnikov, RSCE Deputy General Designer.

Artist's concept of Enterprise module to be attached to the International Space Station. Photo: SPACEHAB

"The Service Module Zvezda is a key element of the ISS Russian Segment which enables the functioning of all other Russian ISS modules. As prime contractor of ISS Russian Segment integration, RSC Energia has conducted the unique engineering integration of the Enterprise module into the Russian Segment," said RSCE President Dr. Yury Semenov. "We were able to do this work during the final stages of processing the Service Module and preparing it for launch. Now our top priority is Enterprise. RSCE is making its best efforts to produce this module as early as possible."

According to the Joint Resolution Document signed by Dr. Semenov and Director Koptev, Enterprise will be launched on a Zenit launch vehicle and docked to the ISS Russian Segment. Enterprise is currently under development and scheduled for attachment to the ISS in early 2003.

RSC Energia is one of the most respected and experienced aerospace manufacturers in the world. RSCE has designed and built spacecraft ranging from Sputnik to Mir and is prime contractor for the Russian segments of the ISS. It designs, constructs and supports the Soyuz and Progress vehicles, the most dependable spacecraft ever designed, which will carry crews and cargo to the world's newest orbiting outpost.

Founded in 1984 and with more than $100 million in annual revenue, SPACEHAB is a leading provider of commercial space services. SPACEHAB is the first company to commercially develop, own, and operate habitable modules that provide laboratory facilities and logistics resupply aboard NASA's Space Shuttles.

The company also supports astronaut training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Texas and provides commercial satellite processing services for Boeing's Delta and Lockheed Martin's Atlas launch vehicles near Kennedy Space Center in Florida.