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In Russian, the word ‘Mir’, means both peace and world. This was the name chosen for a space station launched by Russia in 1986. Actually what went into space in 1986 was only the core model; many additions were made to it later on. The number of modules finally reached seven. The result was a permanently manned orbiting laboratory in space. This made the Mir the first modular spacecraft assembled while in orbit. Salyut’s
shortcomings overcome by Mir |
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| The docking ports were constructed in such a manner that they could accommodate cargo ferries and manned spacecraft carrying crew members to relieve those in space. The modules could also be expanded and equipped to function as research areas for certain specialized tasks. | |
A brief life story
The core model of Mir was launched
on February 20 1986. It was up there by itself until March 13 1986, when
its first occupants cosmonauts Leonid Kizim and
Vladimir Solovyev boarded it. They
spent 53 days there, bringing the spacecraft into working order. Then
they left Mir on a Soyuz craft and boarded the still orbiting Salyut 7
station.
History was written in the
process – they were the first cosmonauts to transfer from one orbiting
space station to another orbiting space station. The longest time spent
on Mir was by Valery Polyakov who stayed in Mir for 438 days.
The first module an astrophysics observatory was added to the Mir in March 1987. The next module, a service module, was added in 1989. It gave the cosmonauts access to luxuries like a shower, sink, etc. It also enabled them to go for ‘spacewalks’ and perform any essential outside maintenance work. The next module added in May 1990 was a technology module and contained a lot of equipment like furnaces etc. it also had a docking port. The science module added in May 1995 contained remote sensing equipment for studying the earth’s atmosphere. April 1996 saw the final addition being made to Mir, a science module with equipment to study the earth’s ecology and environment. Advancing age showed its signs on and off, with a series of accidents and failures. Mir, however, continued in service.
Interesting
‘bits’ from Mir in orbit
The Mir space station has completed
83,500 trips around the earth during the fourteen years it spent in orbit.
It has played host to 160 cosmonauts and astronauts from several countries.
Two or even three cosmonauts were always present on the station and the
station has at times hosted up to six cosmonauts for a short duration.
Several scientific and technical experiments have been performed
by the scientists who have visited Mir. The topics of study have ranged
from space life sciences, space technology, earth observation, microgravity
and so on.
Earth
bound at last
March 23, 2001 was decided as the day for the final journey to be made
by Mir. Remnants of Mir plunged into a remote part of the Pacific Ocean,
giving a spectacular display of a huge smoke trail over Fiji. A couple
of sonic booms were also reportedly heard. Parts of the spacecraft, an
estimated two thirds of it, burned on reentry and the rest scattered as
debris into the ocean. The giant 136-ton structure was Russia’s pride
when it was aloft. By outliving its utility, it also proved their expertise
in technology, which was further reinforced by the fact of their having
brought it to a precise end. The mission ended on a triumphant
note.
