Salyut 1 was the first space station launched by the Soviet Union on April 19, 1971. It was part of the Salyut program, designed to support long-duration human spaceflight and scientific research in orbit. The station measured 15.8 meters in length and had a diameter of 4.15 meters, providing living and working space for astronauts. The first crewed mission to Salyut 1 was Soyuz 10, which launched in January 1971. Unfortunately, the mission ended in tragedy when the crew was unable to dock with the station. Salyut 1 remained in orbit until 1973, when it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere and burned up.