Mir Core Module
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''Mir'' (russian: Мир lit. ''Peace'' or ''World''), DOS-7, was the first module of the Soviet/Russian ''
Mir ''Mir'' (russian: Мир, ; ) was a space station that operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001, operated by the Soviet Union and later by Russia. ''Mir'' was the first modular space station and was assembled in orbit from 1986 to&n ...
'' space station complex, in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001. Generally referred to as either the core module or base block, the module was launched on 20 February 1986 on a
Proton-K The Proton-K, also designated Proton 8K82K after its GRAU index or SL-12 after its model number, 8K82K, was a Russian, previously Soviet, carrier rocket derived from the earlier Proton. It was built by Khrunichev, and launched from sites 81 an ...
rocket from LC-200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The spacecraft was generally similar in design to the two previous Soviet orbital stations,
Salyut 6 Salyut 6 (russian: Салют-6; lit. Salute 6), DOS-5, was a Soviet orbital space station, the eighth station of the Salyut programme. It was launched on 29 September 1977 by a Proton rocket. Salyut 6 was the first space station to recei ...
and Salyut 7, however possessed a revolutionary addition in the form of a multiple docking node at the forward end of the module. This, in addition to the docking port at the rear of the spacecraft, allowed five additional modules ( ''Kvant''-1 (1987), ''Kvant''-2 (1989), ''
Kristall The Kristall (russian: Кристалл, , Crystal) (77KST, TsM-T, 11F77T) module was the fourth module and the third major addition to ''Mir''. As with previous modules, its configuration was based on the 77K (TKS) module, and was originally na ...
'' (1990), ''
Spektr Spektr (russian: Спектр; en, Spectrum) (TKM-O, 77KSO, 11F77O) was the fifth module of the Mir Space Station. The module was designed for remote observation of Earth's environment containing atmospheric and surface research equipment. Sp ...
'' (1995) and ''
Priroda The Priroda (russian: Природа; en, Nature) (TsM-I, 77KSI, 11F77I) module was the seventh and final module of the Mir Space Station. Its primary purpose was to conduct Earth resource experiments through remote sensing and to develop and ...
'' (1996)) to be docked directly to DOS-7, greatly expanding the station's capabilities. Designed as a 'habitat' or 'living' module, DOS-7 possessed less scientific apparatus than its predecessors (lacking, for instance, the large imaging camera which had partially obstructed the living areas of previous stations), instead providing crews with a comfortable living area on the station. Other changes made to DOS-7 from its predecessors included larger solar arrays and a new power system, greater automation and a new docking system, ''Kurs'', in addition to the older ''Igla'' system. The spacecraft also featured a small trash/science airlock, and an aluminium hull (about 1 to 5 mm thick) with several portholes with hatches for viewing out. Inside, the spacecraft featured two-toned colours (designed by interior design architect, Galina Balashova, carrying over her concept of comforting interior décor from
Soyuz Soyuz is a transliteration of the Cyrillic text Союз ( Russian and Ukrainian, 'Union'). It can refer to any union, such as a trade union (''profsoyuz'') or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Сою́з Сове́тских Социалис ...
and
Salyut The ''Salyut'' programme (russian: Салют, , meaning "salute" or "fireworks") was the first space station programme, undertaken by the Soviet Union. It involved a series of four crewed scientific research space stations and two crewed ...
), fluorescent lighting, and one toilet. The module was launched unmanned, and first crewed by the two members of
EO-1 Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) is a decommissioned NASA Earth observation satellite created to develop and validate a number of instrument and spacecraft bus breakthrough technologies. It was intended to enable the development of future Earth imaging o ...
, launched aboard Soyuz T-15 on 13 March 1986. After 52 days, they left ''Mir'' and visited Salyut 7 for 51 days, then returned to ''Mir'' for 21 additional days, before returning to Earth on 16 July 1986. This is the only occasion in history when a crew transferred between two different space stations.


Description

The Mir Core Module (DOS-7) design was based on the earlier DOS based
Salyut 6 Salyut 6 (russian: Салют-6; lit. Salute 6), DOS-5, was a Soviet orbital space station, the eighth station of the Salyut programme. It was launched on 29 September 1977 by a Proton rocket. Salyut 6 was the first space station to recei ...
and Salyut 7 space stations. However, there were many key differences which included better computers and solar arrays. It was designed to comfortably fit two cosmonauts each having their own cabin. The Core Module also had six docking ports. Four of them, which were located radially on the node on the front of the module, were called "berthing" ports designed for station expansions. The other two ports were located laterally, one located at the node and the other located at the aft of the module, were designed for routine Soyuz and Progress dockings. Mir had two engines, located aft, which were designed for orbital maneuvers. Each engine was capable of 300 kg of thrust, although these engines could not be used after April 1987 with the arrival of the
Kvant-1 Kvant-1 (russian: Квант-1; English: Quantum-I/1) (37KE) was the first module to be attached in 1987 to the Mir Core Module, which formed the core of the Soviet space station ''Mir''. It remained attached to ''Mir'' until the entire space stat ...
module at the station's aft port. The main purpose of the Core Module throughout the station's lifetime was a living area. It was equipped with a lavatory, two cabins for sleeping and privacy, entertainment including movies and music, exercise equipment, and medical equipment. The core also included a command center with televisions screens for communication with
TsUP The RKA Mission Control CentreRKA (russian: РКА): Russian space agency (russian: Российское космическое агентство, ''Rossiyskoye kosmicheskoye agentstvo''). (russian: Центр управления полёта ...
(the Earth command center for the station). In June 1987, a third solar panel was deployed from the Core Module. It was delivered inside of
Kvant-1 Kvant-1 (russian: Квант-1; English: Quantum-I/1) (37KE) was the first module to be attached in 1987 to the Mir Core Module, which formed the core of the Soviet space station ''Mir''. It remained attached to ''Mir'' until the entire space stat ...
. This increased solar panel area of this module from 76 m2 to 98m2. At one point, it was planned for Buran to visit the station around 1992 and exchange the existing core module for a new one. A grappling arm would transfer the attached modules to the new core, and then take the original core module back to Earth. The module reentered the Earth's atmosphere along with the rest of the
Mir Space Station ''Mir'' (russian: Мир, ; ) was a space station that operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001, operated by the Soviet Union and later by Russia. ''Mir'' was the first modular space station and was assembled in orbit from 1986 to&n ...
when the station was intentionally de-orbited in March 2001. Any remaining fragments landed in the South Pacific Ocean. (see
Deorbit of Mir The Russian space station ''Mir'' ended its mission on 23 March 2001, when it was brought out of its orbit, entered the atmosphere and was destroyed. Major components ranged from about 5 to 15 years in age, and included the Mir Core Module, ...
)


Specifications

From on ''Mir Hardware Heritage'' (NASA RP1357, 1995): * DOS (''Dolgovremennaya Orbitalnaya Stanziya'') type * Length: 13.13 m * Diameter: 4.15 m * Wingspan: 20.73 m (with solar arrays) * Habitable volume: 90 m3 * Mass at Launch: 20,400 kg * Major Ports: 6 * Power: Up to 9-10 kilowatts at 28.6 volts **Two arrays with 76 m2 (expanded to 98m2 in 1987 with a third array) **
GaAs Gallium arsenide (GaAs) is a III-V direct band gap semiconductor with a zinc blende crystal structure. Gallium arsenide is used in the manufacture of devices such as microwave frequency integrated circuits, monolithic microwave integrated circ ...
based solar cells * Main engines: 2 liquid propellant with 300 kg thrust each (Not used after 1987) * Main computer(s): Argon 16B (1986), Salyut 5B (1989)


Labeled cut-away diagram


Interior


See also

*
Salyut The ''Salyut'' programme (russian: Салют, , meaning "salute" or "fireworks") was the first space station programme, undertaken by the Soviet Union. It involved a series of four crewed scientific research space stations and two crewed ...
* Shuttle–Mir Program *
Zvezda (ISS module) ''Zvezda'' (russian: Звезда, meaning "star"), ''Salyut'' DOS-8, also known as the ''Zvezda'' Service Module, is a module of the International Space Station (ISS). It was the third module launched to the station, and provided all of t ...


References


External links


Russian Space Web


* Gunter's Space Page - information o

{{Orbital launches in 1986 Mir 1986 in the Soviet Union Spacecraft which reentered in 2001 Spacecraft launched in 1986