On February 20, 1986, a Proton rose off its launchpad in Kazakstan bound for low Earth orbit. Its payload was a module designated 17KS, known better as the core stage of the Mir space station.

On February 19, 1986, the Soviet Union launched the Mir space station. While this wasn't the first space station launched into orbit, it was the first one that had to be assembled piece-by-piece ...

With commercial interest in Mir continuing to increase, MirCorp’s two primary investors – Walt Anderson and Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria – reiterated their commitment to financing the station’s ...

Third-Generation Station: Mir (1986-present) Mir was the first permanent space station. The station has been in orbit for 13 years, and staffed continuously for the past 9 years.