The Russian Multipurpose Research Module (MLM), likewise known as Nauka, blasted off toward the International Space Station at 10:58 EDT (14:58 UTC) atop a Proton-M rocket from Russias Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA analyst Rob Navias stated just as the rocket raised off the launch pad, sending out the 22-ton (20-tonne) Nauka module towards the area station.Related: The International Space Station: Inside and Out (Infographic) The Proton-M rocket with the Russian Nauka module aboard blasting off Russias Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The module will now utilize its own engines to raise its orbit, the Russian news firm TASS reported.The Nauka module before its encapsulation into a rocket fairing. Before Nauka reaches the area station, cosmonauts will have to eliminate the Pirs docking module on the stations Russian-built Zvezda service module to allow Nauka to take its place.

The Russian Multipurpose Research Module (MLM), likewise known as Nauka, blasted off towards the International Space Station at 10:58 EDT (14:58 UTC) atop a Proton-M rocket from Russias Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA analyst Rob Navias stated simply as the rocket raised off the launch pad, sending the 22-ton (20-tonne) Nauka module towards the space station.Related: The International Space Station: Inside and Out (Infographic) The Proton-M rocket with the Russian Nauka module aboard blasting off Russias Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Before Nauka reaches the area station, cosmonauts will have to get rid of the Pirs docking module on the stations Russian-built Zvezda service module to enable Nauka to take its location.