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Credit: NASA,
STS-74 Crew
Explanation:
The first module of the
Russian Space Agency's Mir Space Station
was launched into orbit 10 years ago (on February 20, 1986).
Mir has since been substantially expanded in orbit by
adding additional modules including
the Kvant Astrophysics Module (1987)
and recently a docking module.
NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis
was modified to allow it to dock with Mir in 1995
(STS-71,,
STS 74) beginning a
series of Shuttle-Mir flights scheduled to continue through 1997.
In this wide angle view - poised above planet
Earth with sunlight glinting from solar panels - Mir
and Atlantis are seen connected via the docking module from
the perspective of the shuttle payload bay. The image is
from an IMAX movie frame
taken during the STS 74 mission.
In late 1997, building on this jointly developed understanding and
experience, the US and Russia will launch the
first modules of the
International Space Station.
Information:
The
Scale of the Universe Debate in April 1996
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Mir
Publications with words: Mir
See also: