Polyus

The Polyus had a total length of almost 37m and a diameter of up to 4.1m, It weighed about 80 tons and consisted of two main compartments: a smaller one, a functional service unit (FSB) and a larger one, a target module (CM).

The FSB used the long-established design of Salyut and this was only slightly modified to create a 20-ton craft, which was almost the same as the supply transport ships Kosmos-929, Kosmos-1267, Kosmos-1443, Kosmos-1668 and modules of the station Mir. It housed motion control systems and an onboard complex, telemetry control, command radio communications, thermal control, power supply, separation and discharge of fairings, antenna devices, and a control system for scientific experiments.

All devices and systems that could not withstand a vacuum, were located in a sealed instrument and cargo compartment (PGO). The propulsion compartment (ODE) housed four propulsion engines, 20 attitude and stabilization engines, and 16 precision stabilization engines, as well as tanks, pipelines and valves of the pneumatic hydraulic system serving the engines. On the lateral surfaces of the ODE, there were solar batteries that unfold after entering orbit.

A lot of work was done to create a new large head fairing that protected the FSB from the incoming air flow. For the first time, it was made from a non-metallic material – carbon fiber.

The target module was designed and manufactured from scratch. At the same time, the designers focused on the maximum use of the already mastered units and technologies. For example, the diameter and design of all compartments made it possible to use the existing technological equipment at the plant. The nodes connecting the launch vehicle with the spacecraft were already made – the same as for the Buran, as well as the transitional docking block connecting the Polyus with the Earth at launch. The system for separating the Polyus from the rocket also was similar to the Buran.

Since the FSB was essentially a previously mastered spacecraft, it had to comply with the loads for which it was calculated when launched on the Proton launch vehicle. Therefore, of all the configuration options available, they were able to choose only one in which the FSB is located at the head of the Polyus. And since the propulsion system, which was in the FSB, was unprofitable to transfer to the aft part, after separation from the launch vehicle, the Polyus would need to turn 180 degrees.

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