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Space Station Flights Get Their Own Names
By Mike Baine
Special to space.com
posted: 02:33 pm ET
28 September 1999
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iss_namingSpace station missions do not use the shuttle designation for flights (STS), since other countries also launch pieces. So far, there have been three launches in the construction of the International Space Station. - The first was designated 1A/R which was the launch of Zarya on a proton rocket from the Bakinor Cosmodrome. The "A" designates American and "R" Russian. 1A/R is unique in that it indicates the first flight of an American-bought, Russian-built module
- The second flight of an American Module was 2A, the space shuttle launch of Unity.
- To make things interesting, flights have been added to the original schedule, such as logistic flights. They get a "dot" designation. So, for example, 2A was followed by 2A.1, a logistics flight by another shuttle.
The next launch is designated 1R, the first launch of a Russian module. After 1R, 2A.2 will fly, with a 2A.3 held in reserve should 1R not get off the ground. Confused? Wait till the Japanese and Europeans start launching.
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