
This is a view of the Russian Mir Space Station photographed by a crewmember of the fifth Shuttle/Mir docking mission, STS-81. The image shows: upper center - Progress supply vehicle, Kvant-1 module, and Core module; center left - Priroda module; center right - Spektr module; bottom left - Kvant-2 module; bottom center - Soyuz; and bottom right - Kristall module and Docking module. The Progress was an unmarned, automated version of the Soyuz crew transfer vehicle, designed to resupply the Mir. The Kvant-1 provided research in the physics of galaxies, quasars, and neutron stars, by measuring electromagnetic spectra and x-ray emissions. The Core module served as the heart of the space station and contained the primary living and working areas, life support, and power, as well as the main computer, communications, and control equipment. Priroda's main purpose was Earth remote sensing. The Spektr module provided Earth observation. It also supported research into biotechnology, life sciences, materials science, and space technologies. American astronauts used the Spektr as their living quarters. Kvant-2 was a scientific and airlock module, providing biological research, Earth observations, and EVA (extravehicular activity) capability. The Soyuz typically ferried three crewmembers to and from the Mir. A main purpose of the Kristall module was to develop biological and materials production technologies in the space environment. The Docking module made it possible for the Space Shuttle to dock easily with the Mir. The journey of the 15-year-old Russian Mir Space Station ended March 23, 2001, as the Mir re-entered the Earth's atmosphere and fell into the south Pacific Ocean.

This is a view of the Russian Mir Space Station photographed by a crewmember of the second Shuttle/Mir docking mission, STS-74. The image shows: top - Progress supply vehicle, Kvant-1 module, and the Core module; middle left - Spektr module; middle center - Kristall module and Docking module; middle right - Kvant-2 module; and bottom - Soyuz. The Progress was an unmarned, automated version of the Soyuz crew transfer vehicle, designed to resupply the Mir. The Kvant-1 provided research in the physics of galaxies, quasars, and neutron stars by measuring electromagnetic spectra and x-ray emissions. The Core module served as the heart of the space station and contained the primary living and working areas, life support, and power, as well as the main computer, communications, and control equipment. The Spektr module provided Earth observation. It also supported research into biotechnology, life sciences, materials science, and space technologies. American astronauts used the Spektr as their living quarters. A main purpose of the Kristall module was to develop biological and materials production technologies in the space environment. The Docking module made it possible for the Space Shuttle to dock easily with the Mir. Kvant-2 was a scientific and airlock module, providing biological research, Earth observations, and EVA (extravehicular activity) capability. The Soyuz typically ferried three crewmembers to and from the Mir. The journey of the 15-year-old Russian Mir Space Station ended March 23, 2001, as the Mir re-entered the Earth's atmosphere and fell into the south Pacific Ocean.

STS086-710-007 (25 Sept - 6 Oct 1997) --- A 70mm view of Russia?s Mir Space Station backdropped against a cloud-covered Earth was photographed during a fly-around by the Space Shuttle Atlantis following the conclusion of joint docking activities between the Mir-24 and STS-86 crews. One of the solar array panels on the Spektr Module shows damage incurred during the impact of a Russian unmanned Progress re-supply ship with collided with the space station on June 25, 1997.

STS086-720-007 (25 Sept.-6 Oct. 1997) --- A 70mm view of Russia’s Mir Space Station’s Spektr Module shows the backside of a solar array panel and damage incurred by the impact of a Russian unmanned Progress re-supply ship which collided with the space station on June 25, 1997, causing Spektr to depressurize. A radiator, which also was struck by the Progress, is out of view from this angle. Photo credit: NASA

NM23-48-009 (29 April 1997) --- United States astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, cosmonaut guest researcher, works outside the Russian Mir Space Station during a joint United States-Russian space walk on April 29, 1997. He was joined by Mir-23 commander Vasili V. Tsibliyev (out of frame) for the five-hour Extravehicular Activity (EVA) designed to deploy scientific instruments and retrieve other science hardware. At the top of the frame is a Russian Progress re-supply capsule docked to the Mir’s Kvant-1 module.

NM23-48-009 (29 April 1997) --- United States astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, cosmonaut guest researcher, works outside the Russian Mir Space Station during a joint United States-Russian space walk on April 29, 1997. He was joined by Mir-23 commander Vasili V. Tsibliyev (out of frame) for the five-hour Extravehicular Activity (EVA) designed to deploy scientific instruments and retrieve other science hardware. At the top of the frame is a Russian Progress re-supply capsule docked to the Mir’s Kvant-1 module.

S89-E-5190 (25 Jan 1998) --- This Electronic Still Camera (ESC) image shows the Russian Mir Space Station's damaged solar array panel. The solar array panel was damaged as a result of an impact with an unmanned Progress re-supply ship which collided with the Mir on June 25, 1997, causing the Spektr Module to depressurize. This ESC view was taken on January 25, 1998 at 16:56:30 GMT.

STS063-712-017 (6 Feb. 1995) --- Russia's Mir Space Station during rendezvous operations with the Space Shuttle Discovery. Docked at the bottom of the Mir facility is a Soyuz spacecraft. On the opposite end (almost cropped out of frame at top) is a Progress spacecraft. Onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery were astronauts James D. Wetherbee, mission commander; Eileen M. Collins, pilot; Bernard A. Harris, Jr., payload commander; C. Michael Foale and Janice E. Voss, mission specialists; along with cosmonaut Vladimir G. Titov, mission specialist.

STS081-E-05144 (13 Jan. 1997) --- Making sure everything is in its place is no easy task as witnessed by the serious countenance of astronaut John M. Grunsfeld, mission specialist. Grunsfeld communicates with ground controllers as he checks progress of item transfers in the Spacehab Double Module (DM). This image was recorded with an Electronic Still Camera (ESC) and was later downlinked to flight controllers in Houston, Texas. Grunsfeld and five astronaut crew mates are preparing for a scheduled mid-week docking with Russia's Mir Space Station.

STS063-712-068 (6 Feb 1995) --- Russia's Mir Space Station during rendezvous operations with the Space Shuttle Discovery. Docked at bottom (nearest portion where longest solar array panel is visible) is a Soyuz space vehicle. On the opposite end is a Progress spacecraft. This is one of 16 still photographs released by the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Public Affairs Office (PAO) on February 14, 1995. Onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery were astronauts James D. Wetherbee, mission commander; Eileen M. Collins, pilot; Bernard A. Harris, Jr., payload commander; mission specialists C. Michael Foale, Janice E. Voss, and cosmonaut Vladimir G. Titov.

STS063-712-072 (6 Feb 1995) --- Russia's Mir Space Station over the blue and white Earth during initial approach for rendezvous operations with the Space Shuttle Discovery. Docked at bottom (nearest portion where longest solar array panel is visible) is a Soyuz space vehicle. On the opposite end is a Progress spacecraft. This is one of 16 still photographs released by the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Public Affairs Office (PAO) on February 14, 1995. Onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery were astronauts James D. Wetherbee, mission commander; Eileen M. Collins, pilot; Bernard A. Harris Jr., payload commander; mission specialists C. Michael Foale, Janice E. Voss, and cosmonaut Vladimir G. Titov.