Functional Cargo Block
The Functional Cargo Block or FGB (from the Russian "Функционально-грузовой блок", [Funktsionalno-gruzovoy blok] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) or ФГБ) is a type of space-station module. It provides electrical power, propulsion, guidance and storage, both inside the pressurized section and in the externally mounted fuel tanks. It is a descendant of the Almaz TKS spacecraft of the Soviet Salyut space station program.
Functional Cargo Blocks form the base for the first space station modules of the Mir space station. Initially it was intended that the first space station modules be derived from the Progress spacecraft (which in turn is a Soyuz spacecraft derivate) – what was slated to be the first Progress-based research module became later the free-flying Gamma satellite; the Soviet space station modules in turn would not be derived from the Progress spacecraft, but instead from the TKS spacecraft.[1]
FGB consists of the Instrumentation and Cargo Compartment (ICC) and the Pressurized Adapter (PA) designed to accommodate onboard systems supporting docking with a station or visiting spacecraft. PA is separated from the ICC by a spherical bulkhead which has an 800 mm manhole. The internal volume of the ICC and PA is divided into two areas: instrumentation area and living area.[2]
FGB based spacecraft include:
- Polyus spacecraft[3]
- Kvant-1 (Mir module)
- Kvant-2 (Mir module)
- Kristall (Mir module)
- Spektr (Mir module)
- Priroda (Mir module)
- Zarya (ISS module)
- Nauka (ISS module)
References
- ^ Portree, David (1995-03). "Mir Hardware Heritage" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://www.energia.ru/en/iss/rs/zarya.html
- ^ B. Hendrickx, "The Origins and Evolution of the Energiya Rocket Family," J. British Interplanetary Soc., Vol. 55, pp. 242-278 (2002).