The ISS Russian segment utilization: research accomplishments and prospects

The International Space Station (ISS) is the only operational manned space platform currently available for humanity in the low Earth orbit. One of the most important outcomes of the ISS Program is the establishment of reliable international cooperation that implements the orbiting complex utilization. The Russian Segment of the ISS is an evolving engineering system which enables steady improvements in conditions for conducting in-orbit research. The paper describes technical and research accomplishments achieved on the Russian Segment of the ISS modules of different generations, and unveils plans for further utilization of the Segment in the coming decade.