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2015: Roskosmos re-commits to Nauka After months of uncertainty, Roskosmos decided jump-start the work on the MLM Nauka module in the hope of launching it within three years.
A likely image of the Integrated Prototype (Kompleksny Stand) of the MLM module at RKK Energia checkout facility, KIS, in Korolev. In November 2014, officials cited the launch of the MLM module to the ISS in the first quarter of 2017, however the station's flight manifest surfaced in April 2015 indicated the launch in the middle of 2017. Fortunately, by that time, the Russian space program reacquired some focus after several months of uncertainty. As late as 2015, Roskosmos continued evaluating various schemes to separate the MLM along with the UM and NEM-1 modules from the ISS at the end of its operation to form the new outpost in the low Earth orbit. On Dec. 30, 2015, Roskosmos awarded contract No. 351-8517/15/361 to RKK Energia for the development of a modified version of the MLM module designated MLM-U. It covered work until June 30, 2018, which would apparently include the launch of the spacecraft. The MLM-U contract covered the following work:
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