Launch date: July 2000
Launch vehicle: Russian Proton rocket
Launch complex: Baikonur Cosmodrome

This Mir-like, Russian-designed Service Module, named "Zvezda," serves as the heart and brains of the early station. It provides all life support and system functions for the first few years. Its sleeping areas, kitchen and toilet are home sweet home for the station's first crew, due to arrive in late 2000. It takes over guidance, propulsion and reboosting from Zarya. The Service Module will be a port for the dozens of Russian Progress resupply vehicles. Mission controllers connect it to Zarya and Unity by remote control.

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