Mir Core Module - Revision history

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{{short description|First module of the Soviet/Russian Mir space station}}
[[Image:Mir Core Module - cropped and shaded.jpg|thumb|right|300px|DOS-7 seen from {{OV|104}} during [[STS-71]] in 1995.]]
[[Image:RP1357 p103 Mir base block.svg|thumb|right|200px|Diagram showing the 1986 orbital configuration of DOS-7.]]
[[Image:Mir-kvant.jpg|thumb|right|200px|DOS-7 seen in 1987 following the addition of a third solar array and [[Kvant-1|''Kvant''-1]].]]

'''''Mir''''' ({{langx|ru|Мир}} {{IPA|ru|ˈmʲir|IPA}} lit. ''Peace'' or ''World''), '''DOS-7''', was the first module of the Soviet/Russian ''[[Mir]]'' [[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]] rocket from [[Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200|LC-200/39]] at the [[Baikonur Cosmodrome]].<ref name="Reentry News"/><ref name="portree1">{{cite web|url=http://ston.jsc.nasa.gov/collections/TRS/_techrep/RP1357.pdf |author=David Portree |title=Mir Hardware Heritage |year=1995 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907191412/http://ston.jsc.nasa.gov/collections/TRS/_techrep/RP1357.pdf |archive-date=2009-09-07 }}</ref> The spacecraft was generally similar in design to the two previous Soviet orbital stations, [[Salyut 6]] 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|''Kvant''-1]] <small>(1987)</small>, [[Kvant-2|''Kvant''-2]] <small>(1989)</small>, ''[[Kristall]]'' <small>(1990)</small>, ''[[Spektr]]'' <small>(1995)</small> and ''[[Priroda]]'' <small>(1996)</small>) to be docked directly to DOS-7, greatly expanding the station's capabilities.<ref name="portree1"/>

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 (docking system)|''Kurs'']], in addition to the older [[Igla (spacecraft docking system)|''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.<ref name=portree1/> Inside, the spacecraft featured two-toned colours (designed by interior design architect, [[Galina Balashova]], carrying over her concept of comforting interior décor from [[Soyuz]] and [[Salyut]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wallpaper.com/lifestyle/soviet-space-programme-philipp-meuser-lifts-the-lid-on-the-seminal-cosmic-design-of-galina-balashova|title = Soviet space programme: Philipp Meuser lifts the lid on the seminal cosmic design of Galina Balashova|date = July 2015}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Meuser, Philipp|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/903080663|title=Galina Balashova : architect of the Soviet space programme|others=Knowles, Clarice.|year=2015|isbn=978-3-86922-355-1|location=Berlin|oclc=903080663}}</ref> fluorescent lighting, and one toilet.<ref name=portree1/> The module was launched unmanned, and first crewed by the two members of [[Mir EO-1|EO-1]], launched aboard [[Soyuz T-15]] on 13 March 1986.<ref name=portree1/> 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.<ref name=portree1/> 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]] 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]] module at the station's aft port.<ref name=portree1/>

[[File:Christmas 1997 on the Mir Space Station2.jpg|thumb|left|Christmas in Mir Core Module (DOS-7)]]

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 Earth command center for the station).<ref name=portree1/>

In June 1987, a third solar panel was deployed from the Core Module. It was delivered inside of [[Kvant-1]]. This increased solar panel area of this module from 76 m<sup>2</sup> to 98m<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=portree1/>

At one point, it was planned for Buran to visit the station around 1992 and exchange the existing core module for a new one.<ref name=portree1/> A grappling arm would transfer the attached modules to the new core, and then take the original core module back to Earth.<ref name=portree1/>

The module reentered the Earth's atmosphere along with the rest of the [[Mir Space Station]] when the station was intentionally de-orbited in March 2001.<ref name="Reentry News">{{cite web
|title=The Final Days of Mir
|publisher=The Aerospace Corporation
|url=http://www.reentrynews.com/Mir/sequence.html
|access-date=2007-04-16
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522131135/http://www.reentrynews.com/Mir/sequence.html
|archive-date=2009-05-22
}}</ref><ref name="Reentry Page">{{cite web
|title=Mir Space Station Reentry Page
|publisher=Space Online
|url=http://www.ik1sld.org/mirreentry_page.htm
|access-date=2007-04-16
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614034327/http://www.ik1sld.org/mirreentry_page.htm
|archive-date=2007-06-14
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> Any remaining fragments landed in the South Pacific Ocean.<ref name="Reentry News"/> (see [[Deorbit of Mir]])

== Specifications ==
[[Image:Mir - core module.svg|thumb|right|250px|Cut-away side-view]]
From on ''Mir Hardware Heritage'' (NASA RP1357, 1995):<ref name=portree1/>
DOS (''Dolgovremennaya Orbitalnaya Stanziya'') type
* Length: 13.13 m
* Diameter: 4.15 m
* Wingspan: 20.73 m (with solar arrays)
* Habitable volume: 90 m<sup>3</sup>
* Mass at Launch: 20,400 kg
* Major Ports: 6
* Power: Up to 9-10 kilowatts at 28.6 volts
Two arrays with 76 m<sup>2</sup> (expanded to 98m<sup>2</sup> in 1987 with a third array)
[[Gallium arsenide|GaAs]] 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==
[[Image:Mir core module.gif|thumb|center|600px|{{center|Cut-away view of the Mir Core Module docked to a Soyuz spacecraft}}]]
{{clear}}

==Interior==
{|
|[[File:Mir node interior STS-84, 2.jpg|thumb|Inside the multiple docking node]]
|[[File:STS81 Linenger Blaha Wisoff.jpg|thumb|Mealtime in Mir Core Module (DOS-7)]]
|[[File:Interior of Mir Core Module.jpg|thumb|Interior of Mir Core Module (DOS-7)]]
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[Salyut]]
* [[Shuttle–Mir Program]]
* [[Zvezda (ISS module)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.russianspaceweb.com/mir_core.html Russian Space Web]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081223180808/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/mir.htm Encyclopedia Astronautica]
* Gunter's Space Page - information on [http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mir.htm Mir]

{{Mir modules}}

{{Salyut Program}}

{{Orbital launches in 1986}}

[[Category:Mir]]
[[Category:1986 in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Spacecraft which reentered in 2001]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 1986]]