Twenty five years of the ISS Russian segment flight: accumulated experience, investigations results, lessons learned, and findings

The paper reviews results of national and international programs of fundamental and applied research carried out onboard the International Space Station Russian Segment (ISS RS) during the twenty five years of its operation in low Earth orbit. It analyses historical background and origins of programs for utilization of our country’s manned space complexes, and describes the impact of the ISS RS configuration evolution on the implementation of scientific research programs using the replaceable payload method, as well as the most essential scientific results obtained. It analyses the ISS RS utilization challenges that have been identified and provides recommendations for setting up scientific research and utilization activities onboard of new-generation manned space complexes.