European space agency discusses with Roscosmos the possibility of Europe participation in Russian Oka-T orbital laboratory that may be launched in 2016-2017 project, – Tomas Reiter, ESA manned programs director told RIA-NOVOSTI.
“In working group together with our ISS partners we study the possibilities of work outside the ISS. One of the projects we are interested in is Oka-T free flying laboratory able to undock from ISS and dock back. We discuss the possible cooperation with your specialists”, – Reiter said.
Oka-T-ISS space device constructed by RSC Energia is a multipurpose space laboratory able to operate on the orbit autonomously, docking to ISS from time to time. The laboratory crew will maintain scientific equipment, perform refilling and other operations. The laboratory is supposed to carry out fundamental and applied researches in the field of space materials processing, plasma physics, medicine and biology. Oka will be able to operate autonomously for about 90-180 days, and then it will dock to ISS.
Image credit – RSC Energia
