The Mir space station was a Soviet and later Russian space station that operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001. It was one of the first modular space stations, allowing for the addition of new modules over time. Mir served as a research laboratory for various scientific experiments in fields like biology, physics, and astronomy. During its 15 years in orbit, Mir hosted numerous international crews and was a key platform for international cooperation in space. The station was deorbited in 2001, marking the end of an era in human spaceflight and paving the way for future projects like the International Space Station.