ZING's SCEN103 Web Project - The Space Program HOME
Apollo Apollo-Soyuz Mercury Gemini Skylab Shuttle Mir Spin-off Technology
The Mir Space Station

 
 
 
Image Map Part of the Russian space program, the Mir Space Station has been in orbit around the earth for more than 10 years. The space station is made up primarily of four compartments: working, transfer, intermediate and assembly. 

The Mir core contains the working compartment made up of living and operational quarters. This is where the crew spends most of their time.  The living area contains personal spaces, hygiene areas and the  eating area, as well as the key monitoring systems (science equipment and facilities and propulsion). 

The Russian Space Station Mir, at completion, had a mass of more than 100 tons. Over 10 years, seven modules were launched, creating a 107 foot long station. The seven modules are as follows: Kvant-1, Kvant-2, Specktr, Docking, Kristall, Priroda, and the Core.

 
 
Additions to the Mir Core

 
Kvant 1
 Added in 1987, Kvant-1 contains astrophysics instruments, life support, and attitude control equipment. Kvant-1 provides data and observations of active galxies, quasars, and neutron stars. The data is gathered with devices wich measure electromagnetic spectra and x-ray emissions. Other experiments are done in biotechnology (antiviral preparatoins and fractions) It is divided into a pressurized laboratory compartment and a non-pressurized equipment compartment. It has gyrostabilizers that can change the station attitude without propulsive fuel. 
Kvant 2
 In 1989 Kvant-2 was added.The module has several features and capabilities including providing biological research data, Earth observation data, EVA capability, addtional life support, drinking water, motion control systerms, power distribution, and shower and washing facilities. It is divided into three pressurized compartments: intrumentation/cargo, science intruments and airlock.
Kristall Technology module
 Used for biological and materials processing technology development in the space environment, Kristall has a docking port that can be used with the US Space Shuttle. Aboard the module are, two storable solar arrays, and science and technology equipment. There are also motion control, energy supply, electrical, environmental control and thermal control systems on this module. Kristall was added in 1990.
Priroda Remote Sensing module
 Launched in April of 1996, the equipment on Priroda - including active, passive, and infrared radiometers, a syntheticaperture radar, and several types of Spektrometers -- is used for measuring ozone and aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere. The main purpose of Priroda is to add Earth remote sensing capability to Mir and also contains hardware and supplies for U.S.-Russian science experiments.
Spektr
 The Spektr Remote Sensing payload, arrived at Mir in 1995, is used to study particles in Low Earth Orbit, including natural resources and atmosphere. Spektr carries four solar arrays as well as other scientific equipment. 
Docking Module
 This module arrived in 1995 and allows for future Shuttle dockings with Mir. The Mir/Shuttle docking module, a later version, allows both docking and space for extravehicular science experiments.
Soyuz-TM spacecraft 
 Used to transport crews and cargo to and from the Mir Space Station, the Soyuz-TM module is made up-of three compartments: the orbital module, the descent module and the instrumentation module.
Progress-M Cargo Transport
 A cargo and resupply vehicle used to send science equipment and data to and from Mir, as well as food supplies and crew mail. On the return trip to Earth, the transport, Progress-M takes care of removal of waste materials from the Space Station.


 
last updated May 14, 2000                                                                                                                                                                      a SCEN 103 project