| The Characteristics of Mir | |||||||||||||||||
| Characteristics |
The Mir space station is made up of seven different modules. They are; the Mir core, Kvant, Kvant 2, Kristall, Spektr, Priroda, and the docking module. The first module launched was launched in February of 1986, then the rest of the modules were launched over the following 10 years until the Priroda module was launched in 1996. If you are wondering how the cosmonauts get to and from the space station the answer is the Soyuz transport spacecraft. Soyuz is a small spacecraft that can hold 2 or 3 passengers at a time. Another craft similar to the Soyuz is the Progress un-manned craft which is used for supplies and food, then filled with garbage and then jettisoned to burn up harmlessly in Earth's atmosphere. | ||||||||||||||||
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There have been many mishaps in the history of Mir. Firstly, when attaching the first module (Kvant) to the core module in 1987. When attaching the module they experienced difficulties when it would not attach. The problem was solved when they found out that the problem was an errant plastic bag which was then removed. Another mishap occurred in 1997 when the secondary oxygen generators in the Kvant module suddenly began to burn uncontrollably creating a 500 degree Celsius flame. The cosmonauts scrambled around for fire extinguishers but they did nothing but cool down the walls which was helpful but not what they were hoping for. Luckily, the fire went out 15 minutes later. The last, but more heard of mishap occurred when testing a new docking system for the progress supply ship. When testing, the approach was misguided and the progress craft crashed into the Spektr module puncturing the hull and severely damaging a solar panel. The astronauts on Mir quickly closed off the Spektr module and depressurized the rest of the station. | In-Depth History | ||||||||||||||||
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