Mir Docking Module

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Isolated view of the Mir Docking Module. Note the two boxes attached which carried the Mir Cooperative Solar Array and the All-Russian Array.

The Mir Docking Module is positioned in Atlantis's cargo bay in preparation for docking

The Mir Docking Module (SO; Russian: Stikovchnoy Otsek)) was the sixth module launched to the Mir Space Station. It was launched on the Space Shuttle Atlantis on November 12, 1995 on mission STS-74. It, and Atlantis, docked to Mir on November 15.

[edit] Specifications

• Length: 5 m
• Diameter: 2.9 m
• Launch Mass: 4,090 kg

[edit] Description

The Mir Docking Module was designed to help simplify Space Shuttle dockings to Mir. Before the first shuttle docking mission (STS-71), the tedious task of moving the Kristall module had to be done. This was to ensure there was sufficient clearance between the Shuttle and Mir's solar arrays. The Docking Module provided enough clearance without the need to relocate Kristall. Another factor involved Kristall's Lyappa arm. The Lyappa arm was a small robotic arm attached to Kristall, Kvant-2, Spektr, and Priroda. It was designed to move the module to different ports on the Mir Core Module. Mission managers feared that the repeated use of Kristall's Lyappa arm would cause it to fail before all the shuttle dockings were complete. The Docking Module carried two identical APAS-89 docking ports. One was attached to the lateral port of Kristall and the other was open for shuttle dockings. The Docking Module also had its own thermal control, television transmission, and telemetry systems.

[edit] Solar Array Package

In addition to its use as a docking module, the Mir Docking Module also carried two solar panels. One was called the Mir Cooperative Solar Array (MCSA) and the other was an all-Russian array. The MCSA was part of Phase 1 of the Shuttle-Mir Program. It was jointly designed by NASA and Russia in order to test designs for the future International Space Station. It was deployed on Kvant-1 in May, 1996. The all-Russian array replaced Kristall's old array, which was attached to Kvant-1, in November, 1997.

[edit] See also

• Mir Environmental Effects Payload

[edit] External links

• Russian Space Web
• Encyclopedia Astronautica
• Gunter's Space Page - information on Mir Docking Module

v • d • e Components of Space Station Mir Soviet modules Core Module · Kvant-1 · Kvant-2 · Kristall American-financed modules Spektr · Docking Module · Priroda Other subsystems Lyappa arm · APAS-89 · Altair/SR relay satellites Support craft Soyuz · Progress · Space Shuttle (during Shuttle-Mir Program)