Other Manned Space Stations: Skylab, the Salyut Series and Mir

The International Space Station (ISS) is the most well-known manned space station in the world. It is a collaboration of many different countries, including:
  • Canada (CSA)
  • Japan (JAXA)
  • Russia (RKA)
  • several European countries (ESA)
  • United States (NASA).
The construction of ISS began in 1998. Many elements of the space station have been added over the years, and the projected date of completion is 2010.
 
While many people know a bit about the International Space Station, most don't realize that there have been other manned space stations launched into space.
 
In this section, we'll cover the other manned space stations that have been used throughout space exploration history. We'll specifically focus on Skylab, the Salyut Series and Mir. 

Skylab

In orbit from 1973 to 1979, the Skylab was the first space station launched by the United States. This science and engineering laboratory was designed to study UV astronomy and carry out X-ray studies.
 
Three different crews of three men visited Skylab in 1973 and 1974. Their missions lasted 28, 59 and 84 days. The space station circled 50° north and south of the equator every 93 minutes while it was in orbit.
 
Increased solar activity led to Skylab's early reentry into the Earth's atmosphere, and ultimately, its demise. Kennedy Space Center in Florida was the launch point for Skylab.

Salyut Series

The first space stations ever launched into orbit were the stations in the Salyut series, the first of which was launched into orbit in 1971. The Soviets launched the Salyut series and later replaced it with space station Mir in 1986.
 
Each station in the Salyut series:
  • had an interior area of about 100 cubic meters
  • was powered by solar panels
  • weighed about 18 tons.

The space stations in the Salyut series were as follows:

  • Salyut 1 (launched April 9, 1971) researched and tested whether space stations were viable.

  • Salyut 2 (launched April 4, 1973) served as a test flight for onboard systems.

  • Salyut 3 (launched June 24, 1974) was the first military space station.

  • Salyut 4 (launched Dec. 26, 1975) was a scientific space station used for star observation.

  • Salyut 5 (launched June 22, 1976) was a research space station.

  • Salyut 6 (launched Sept. 29, 1977) was the first space station meant to last for a long period of time.

  • Salyut 7 (launched April 19, 1982) tested the viability of docking large modules on a space station.
In 1986, Mir was commissioned, making the Salyut series unnecessary.

Mir

Mir was first a Soviet, and later a Russian, manned space station. Originally commissioned in 1986, Mir was in existence until 2001 when it was brought out of orbit.
 
Space station Mir holds the record for longest human presence in space: just eight days short of 10 years. Americans and astronauts from other countries visited the space station many times. In fact, American space shuttles visited Mir 11 times, bringing supplies and crewmembers. Three men at a time could be housed at space station Mir.
 
Resources
 
Everything2 (2003). Salyut. Retrieved February 14, 2008, from the Everything 2 Web site.
 
NASA (2003). Skylab. Retrieved February 14, 2008, from the NASA Web site.