Kvant 2, added in 1989, carries an EVA airlock, solar arrays, and life support equipment. The 19-ton module is based on the transport logistics spacecraft originally intended for the Almaz military space station program of the 1970s.
Kvant 2, added in 1989, carries an EVA airlock, solar arrays, and life support equipment. The 19-ton module is based on the transport logistics spacecraft originally intended for the Almaz military space station program of the 1970s.
The purpose of Kvant-2 is to provide biological research data, Earth observation data, and EVA capability. It adds additional system capability to Mir. Kvant-2 includes additional life support system, drinking water, and oxygen provisions, motion control systems, and power distribution, as well as shower and washing facilities.
Kvant-2 is divided into three pressurized compartments: instrumentation/cargo, science instrument, and airlock.
The airlock not only provides EVA capability, but also contains a self-sustained cosmonaut maneuvering unit that increases the range and complexity of tasks that can be attempted via EVA, however it has only been used twice in february 1990. For instance, various construction materials and electronic components can be placed on the outside of the Mir Complex modules via EVA. The effects of space environment exposure on these construction materials can later be investigated.
| Module | Mass (Kg) | Length (m) | Max. Diameter (m) | Pressurized Volume (Cubic Meters) | No. of Solar Arrays/Area (Square Meters) | Power Output (KW) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kvant 2 | 18,500 | 13.73 | 4.35 | 61.3 | 2/53 | 6.9 | Remote sensing, life support, EVA airlock |