Monday, March 23, 2009

Mir's last sigh


8 years ago, on 23rd March 2001 at 05:50:00 UTC, an object weighing 124,340 kgs entered the Earth's atmosphere and moments later ceased to exist.

5,519 days and 3,638,470,307 kms later the Mir space station had become etched in history as one of the most widely known and the 'world's first consistently inhabited long-term research station in space.'

On the occasion of its death anniversary, I thought it worth to mention a few interesting facts

1. The station was in orbit for more than 14 years
2. It orbited 225 miles (362 kilometers) above Earth - about the distance from New York City to Boston
3. It circled the planet about 16 times a day.
4. It moved at about 17,500 m.p.h. (28,163 kilometers per hour).
5. It consisted six modules carrying 11.3 tons (11,481 kilograms) of equipment
6. Overall, the complex weighed about 130 tons (132,080 kilograms).
7. It included 6 modules arranged in a T-shape.
8. Mir was home to more than 100 cosmonauts, astronauts and other visitors.
9. Cosmonaut Valery Polyakov set the record for the longest stay in space and on Mir -- 438 days in 1994-95.
10. Equipment on Mir was manufactured in 27 countries.
11. More than 16,500 experiments were conducted on the station.
12. Some 24 international programs have been realized on Mir during its life in orbit.
13. The station's development resulted in more than 600 new technologies, which later turned out to be useful to industry; and
14. Mir in Russian means either Peace or World! (I prefer peace!)

Footnotes

List of Mir Expeditions
List of Mir spacewalks
List of spacecraft and crews that visited Mir

Image Courtesy: NASA

31 comments:

  1. I too prefer Peace, but not with a sigh ;-)

    but i seldom sigh over things! :)

    So, now space vehicles are your specialisation? -- kidding...i love the variety in your blog, Rak :)

    love,
    devika

    PS: and to the response in previous one --Yeah we will meet someday...With your Suresh chettan taking the decisions, I can only say "someday!" :))

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  2. Yeah! peace,, and chetta! never ever can predict what you'll be blog about nest,, The best thing in life is surprise, and u surprise us so often, and this true believer is always taken aback by space... too many thoughts on space...

    thats an informational read.. Keep us informing... :)

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  3. How fitting that Mir is both peace and World,
    Mir's last sigh could spell doom anyway you put it then!
    Well Put indeed!
    :D

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  4. very informative article..and yeah I too prefer peace.

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  5. Informative ! Never read or knew about Mir this much!

    Btw, where do you dig out all these old news from??? :D

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  6. It’s quite informative on space and mir! Every time I come here, I learn something new and interesting particularly on a specific day to the matter.

    I am looking forward to know which one is u in the picture at last post! :)

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  7. Point no.13 was very interesting Rakesh. Thanks for the interesting details. Amazed at your interests.

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  8. well, i think it's space rather than world, but mir definitely means peace.
    phew, it's 8 years already?
    thanks for the reminder

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  9. Peace is the word.
    i remembered 'skylab' and the fear it generated.also remembered 'ming' the villian in the flash gordon comic series..then the thought train connected a wagon called the Rushdie novel..
    very nice post..
    wishes..

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  10. Devika Chechi

    Quite a trait not to sigh over anything! ;)

    Thanks much for your comments!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  11. Bharath

    Thanks very much for the comments! Glad that you find my space interesting and informative!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  12. Vivek

    The Russians were the smartest of the lot back then, with a lot of simplicity and dedication inbuilt! The Mir is one of their many examples!

    Thanks for the comments!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  13. Rahul

    Thanks very much! Appreciate your thoughts!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  14. Peter

    If only like you said, that peace and the world could go together!

    Its a dream!

    Rakesh

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  15. Vimmuuu

    Thanks very much! Appreciate your comments!

    A lot of these things happened during my childhood (the launch of Mir, being one of them) and hence I find it fascinating to dig up more and post about them! ;)

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  16. Jeevan

    Many thanks for your wonderful comments! Appreciate them!

    I'm glad that my space has served as a platform for learning! We have within us (all) to teach and learn from one another which itself is something of a miracle!

    And yes, I'm the guy with the glasses on ;)

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  17. Kat

    A lot about the Mir is very interesting.....it is today, something of an icon in space odysseys!

    Thanks much for your comments! Appreciate it!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  18. Vimmuuu

    Thanks for tagging me! I like that laugh! :) I know, I know!!!!

    So when am I getting the "free" autograph!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  19. Polona

    Yeah, time flies like never before!

    Quite a legend the Mir has turned out to be!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  20. MIP

    A lot many things of our childhood days are fascinating and truly unforgettable!

    How I wish I could relive my childhood again, although that might seem pointless and harping on the past!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  21. I have always wondered what these space stations are for! When I was young, some one told me, they launch rockets to the moon from the space station as it is nearer to the moon! Then I asked why do we need go to the moon? To launch a rocket to the mars from there - came the reply. At least he was clear! :-)

    Destination Infinity

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  23. Knowledge added in my left brain hemishphere. I thank u much.

    :-)
    Peace is the way to go..unless ofcourse...

    ;-)

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  24. DI

    Likewise, space has been a fascination since childhood! Always wondered what is out there!

    Perhaps some day we will all know!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  25. Andy

    Peace is the way, the only way.....

    ;)

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  26. As for ur comment in my blog......No brother...infact it was borrowed. Haha..

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  27. Keshi

    Welcome back! I hope you are doing well! Good to see you!

    Take care

    Rakesh

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