Mir-2

Project history

The evolution of the ''Mir''-2 project

1981 to 1987: KB Salyut Mir-2

The prototype of the central module was as Polyus. Mir-2 would be capable of docking at least four modules in ordinary operation.

December 14, 1987: NPO Energia Mir-2

Designated as OSETS (Orbital Assembly and Operations Centre). The station would be built in a 65 degree orbit and consist of 90 ton modules.

• Launch 1 – DOS 8, providing housing for the assembly crew.
• Launch 2 – 90 ton module.
• Launch 3 – Truss and solar arrays.
• Launches 4 to 6 – additional 90 ton modules.

1991: "Mir-1.5"

This would involve launch of the DOS-8, after which the Buran shuttle would grapple the module, rendezvous with Mir, and attach it to the old DOS-7 base block. This plan was later altered so that DOS-8 would maneuver and dock itself to Mir. It would remain attached for two years.

1992: "Mir-2"

The station would consist of the DOS-8 core module and a cross beam called the NEP (Science Power Platform). This was equipped with MSB retractable solar panels, Sfora thruster packages and small scientific packages.

Four 3 to 4 ton modules were planned:

• Docking Module - with the APDS universal androgynous docking system, and a side hatch for space walks
• Resource Module - Equipped with gyrodynes for orienting the station and a passive docking port for docking of Soyuz or Progress ferry spacecraft
• Technology Module - with materials experiments
• Biotechnology Module

November 1993: International Space Station built around Mir-2

Russian elements of the International Space Station include:

• Zarya FGB, the first element launched. This was a US-funded TKS-derived propulsion module built by KB Salyut.
• Zvezda Service Module - this is the DOS-8 block, which was launched as the third major ISS module in July 2000.
• SO-1 Pirs - one of the docking modules originally designed for Buran/Mir-2 was added to the station in September 2001, and later deorbited in July 2021 to make room for Nauka.
• SO-2 Poisk - a module similar to Pirs. Poisk also provides extra space for scientific experiments, and power-supply outlets and data-transmission interfaces for external scientific payloads.
• Rassvet - the only module delivered by NASA shuttle, in a barter exchange for the launch 'owed' for Zarya. Rassvet was built from a test article for the pressurized shell portion of NEP. It is used for cargo storage, science, and as a docking port for visiting spacecraft.
• Nauka FGB-2 - this is Russia's largest module and only module dedicated wholly to science, and was launched in July 2021, with the European Robotic Arm attached.
• Prichal UM - the 'nodal module', meant to host four additional laboratory and power modules and a docking port as part of the since-cancelled OPSEK plan. It launched in November 2021.

References

References

1. "Mir-2". Astronautix.