Mir Docking Module
The docking module seen in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-74, prior to docking with Mir. | |
| Module statistics | |
|---|---|
| Part of | Mir |
| Launch date | 12 November 1995 |
| Launch vehicle | Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-74) |
| Docked | 15 November 1995 |
| Reentry | 23 March 2001 |
| Mass | 6,134 kg (13,523 lb) |
| Length | 4.7 m (15 ft) |
| Diameter | 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) |
| References: | |
| Configuration | |
The docking module shown isolated in its basic configuration. Various additional external fixtures are not shown. | |
The Mir Docking Module, formally known as the Stykovochnyy Otsek (SO; Russian: стыковочный отсек, lit. 'Docking compartment'; designation: 316GK), was the sixth module of the Russian space station Mir, launched in November 1995 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The module, built by Energia, was designed to help simplify space shuttle dockings to Mir during the Shuttle-Mir program, preventing the need for the periodic relocation of the Kristall module necessary for dockings prior to the compartment's arrival. The module was also used to transport two new photovoltaic arrays to the station, as a mounting point for external experiments, and as a storage module when not in use for dockings.