Salyut

Series of seven space stations launched by the USSR 1971-86. Salyut was cylindrical in shape, 15 m/50 ft long, and weighed 19 tonnes. It housed two or three cosmonauts at a time, for missions lasting up to eight months.

Salyut 1 was launched on 19 April 1971. It was occupied for 23 days in June 1971 by a crew of three, who died during their return to Earth when their Soyuz ferry craft depressurized. In 1973 Salyut 2 broke up in orbit before occupation. The first fully successful Salyut mission was a 14-day visit to Salyut 3 in July 1974. In 1984-85 a team of three cosmonauts endured a record 237-day flight in Salyut 7. In 1986 the Salyut series was superseded by Mir, an improved design capable of being enlarged by additional modules sent up from Earth.