“Congratulations to Dmitry Rogozin, General Director of Roscosmos, and the Russian team on the ISS on the successful launch of the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module.
This new segment will help further research and scientific discoveries, "Nelson wrote on Twitter.
Rogozin, in turn, thanked his American colleague and promised to convey his congratulations to the Roscosmos team.
“Hope to see you soon,” he added.
On July 21, the Proton-M launch vehicle with the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module was launched from Baikonur, which will be delivered to the International Space Station.
Its docking with the ISS is scheduled for July 29.
The module is launched into low-earth orbit, its solar panels and antennas deployed.
After the Nauka module is put into operation, the Russian segment of the ISS will receive additional volumes for the arrangement of workplaces and storage of cargo, placement of equipment for the regeneration of water and oxygen.
The astronauts will also receive a second toilet, a cabin for a third crew member and the European ERA manipulator, which will allow them to perform some work without going into outer space.