PIRS Docking Compartment

This 16-foot long docking compartment, also known as DC-1, was attached to the earth-facing bottom port of the Zvezda module in Sept. 2001. Its two main functions are as a docking place for transport and cargo shipments and as an airlock for astronauts during spacewalks. Eventually the Universal Docking Module will replace PIRS, which will re-enter the earth's atmosphere and burn up.