1986: Soviets launch space station Mir
The USSR launch the world’s biggest space station, Mir, in February 1986, opening up a new phase in space exploration.
The successful launch of Mir came just over three weeks after the American space shuttle Challenger disaster, in which seven astronauts died.
Mir remained in space until 23 March 2001, during which time it orbited the Earth more than 86,000 times.
This Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News report was broadcast on 20 February 1986.