Russians launch space station Mir 30 years ago this hour (Feb 20 1986)

1980s, space exploration


Video: 'Mir Space Station Launch 1986'

(Thursday, February 20, 1986, 12:28:23 a.m. MSK) — The Soviet Union today sent up the core module of space station Mir (Peace), which would serve as a permanently manned base for the next generation in space.

Mir stayed in orbit until 2001, when it was brought down in a controlled descent, breaking up in the atmosphere.