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Mir Docking Module
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<p>The <i>Mir</i> Docking Module, formally known as the Stykovochnyy Otsek , was the sixth module of the Russian space station <i><a href="/facts/Mir/pILadPoB">Mir</a></i>, launched in November 1995 aboard the <a href="/facts/Space_Shuttle/7BoyetEv">Space Shuttle</a> <a href="/facts/Space_Shuttle_Atlantis/3NQUThEB"><i>Atlantis</i></a>. The module, built by <a href="/facts/Energia_(corporation)/fThW3H3L">Energia</a>, was designed to help simplify space shuttle dockings to <i>Mir</i> during the <a href="/facts/Shuttle-Mir_Program/oU65ty8U">Shuttle-<i>Mir</i> program</a>, preventing the need for the periodic relocation of the <i><a href="/facts/Kristall/lAhnpMhr">Kristall</a></i> module necessary for dockings prior to the compartment's arrival. The module was also used to transport two new <a href="/facts/Photovoltaic_array/rD4rcJB8">photovoltaic arrays</a> to the station, as a mounting point for external experiments, and as a storage module when not in use for dockings. </p>