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| **Mir           Deorbit****- MPEG           (11.8 M) (No Audio)**

The journey of the 15-year-old Russian space station ended March 23,           2001, as Mir re-entered the Earth's atmosphere near Nadi, Fiji, and           fell into the South Pacific. Its downfall - planned and controlled -           began around 8 a.m. Moscow time. Engines of a cargo ship docked to Mir           were fired causing the station's orbit to brake, starting the Mir's           descent. The computer generated images below illustrate the breakup           of the 143-ton station as it descended to Earth.           At approximately 100km, Mir entered the atmosphere and friction began           to heat the outer surfaces.

The initial breakup began at about 95 km, when aerodynamic           forces tore off the solar panels.

At 85 km, all peripheral pieces were torn away, and           the main modules began to buckle. 

The surviving fragments fell into the South Pacific east           of New Zealand. Witnesses to the fiery downfall attributed sonic booms           to the estimated 20 to 25 tons of remnants moving quickly toward the           Earth's surface. 

The digital still images (above) and the following computer           generated animation were provided by Analytical Graphics, Inc. Although           the animation segment was created prior to the actual event, it closely           approximates the reentry of Mir. To view the animation, choose the link           below.

Mir           Deorbit animation - MPEG (11.8 M) (No Audio)

See           the CNN footage of the Mir Deorbit -               MPEG (5.3 M) (No Audio)

See           more computer generated animations of the Mir    | See         theMir         Deorbit         Animation

See         theMir/Progress        Collision         Animation

See otherMir        Animation |
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