Mir

Mir was a Soviet and later Russian space station that operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001. It was the first modular space station and held the record for the largest artificial satellite in orbit until it was succeeded by the International Space Station (ISS). Mir served as a microgravity research laboratory where crews conducted experiments in biology, physics, astronomy, and meteorology. The station was a symbol of international cooperation in the latter half of its life, notably during the Shuttle-Mir Program, which saw American Space Shuttles docking with the Russian station. Mir's long-term operation provided invaluable experience in long-duration human spaceflight, paving the way for the continuous human presence on the ISS.