Multipurpose Laboratory module (MLM) launch to ISS will not be postponed despite Proton Crash on Tuesday, – Roscosmos Head Vladimir Popovkin told the journalists.
As it was reported earlier laboratory module is planned to be launched by Proton-M booster from Baikonur spaceport in December. Roscosmos also reported that new module may become a part of ISS already by November 30.
“By December we will surely settle this matter. It is crucial that MLM was ready by December. There are no suggestions of launch shifting”, – Popovkin said.
According to him next week Roscosmos will hold a meeting in RSC Energia providing equipment for MLM; there will be reported on complex tests of the module. “This is to make a decision when we will transport the module to Baikonur spaceport for further tests”, – Roscosmos head noted.
MLM was constructed by Khrunichev State research and Production Centre and RSC Energia on the basis of Zarya functional cargo block copy.