Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/sats/mir.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 4KB | 72 lines

{bigtext=20,85,"MIR Space Station"}

{4}To see the orbit of the Mir space station, click {s,"10,2",here}{4}!

{4}The Mir, which means Peace in Russian, Space Station was first launched February
19, 1986.  It replaced the successful Salyut series of space stations run by the
Soviets throughout the 1970's and 1980's.  The space station operates in an orbit
some 390 km high, inclined at 51.6 degrees.  It has been constructed slowly and
consists of several individual modules.

The MIR module, which is the core module for the whole complex, contains the operations
zone and the living zone. The living zone is where the crew quarters, the galley, and
the personal hygiene area are. In the living area, crew members have their own cabin
which contains a chair, sleeping bag, and a porthole. The personal hygiene area
contains a toilet, sink, and shower. The galley contains a table, cooking elements,
and trash storage. The operations area is the control area for the entire Mir complex.
The crew can monitor and command core systems, as well as science equipment and
facilities and the piloting station. The Mir module is over 13.13 meters long and
has a diameter of up to 4.15 meters.  The habitable parts of the Mir complex all have
distinct floors, walls, and ceiling, including carpet on the floor, colored walls, and
a white ceiling with fluorescent lighting. Although up and down have no meaning in
micro-gravity, this arrangement allows the crew a semblance of normalcy.

{2}Kvant-1{4}
Kvant-1 is the Astrophysics module, and is located on the aft docking port of Mir.
It provides information for research into the physics of active galaxies, quasars,
and neutron stars by measuring electromagnetic spectra and X-ray emissions. The Kvant-1
also supports biotechnology experiments in the areas of antiviral preparations and
fractions.   Kvant-1 is 5.8 meters long and 4.5 meters in diameter.

{2}Kvant-2{4}
Kvant-2 is the Scientific and Airlock module. It provides biotechnology research data,
Earth observation photographic equipment, and EVA capability. It is over 40 feet long
and 14 feet in diameter. The airlock allows access to the outside of Mir, which allows
for experiments about the effects of space exposure on electronics and construction
materials.

{2}Kristall{4}
Kristall Technological module with a Shuttle docking port is used for biological and
materials  processing technology development in the space environment. It contains
equipment that produces semiconductors and other high-tech materials that benefit
from the low gravity environment of space. Other apparatus includes a greenhouse
designed to cultivate plants in zero-g.

{2}Spektr{4}
The Spektr module arrived at the Mir complex in June, 1995. It contains equipment for
atmospheric research and surface studies.

{2}Priroda{4}
Priroda remote sensing module was launched in Spring of 1996. It contains active, passive,
and infra-red radiometers, a synthetic aperture radar, and several types of spectrometers
used for measuring ozone and aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere.

{2}Progress -M{4}
This module is used as a re-supply vehicle and is capable of free-flight for extended
periods.  It's an unmanned supply ship used to send food and other supplies to the
Astronauts and Cosmonauts aboard Mir.

{2}The Soyuz-TM{4}
Is the spacecraft which is used to transport crews and cargo to and from the space station.


{2}The Shuttle/Mir Programme{4}
The Russian Space Agency and NASA, in 1993, made an agreement that between 1995 and 1998,
a series of cooperative shuttle missions to the Mir space station will take place.  Plans
to build an International Space Station is scheduled to begin mid 1998 as well as an astronaut
exchange program.

The information and experience that is being acquired through the programme will
be able to answer many questions about the future of human life in space.