Soviet Union launches core module February 20, predicting station will last three to five years. First crew takes off for station March 13.
Crew members find refuse stuck on docking port.
Chaos and financial troubles accompanying collapse of Soviet Union force Mir's crew to stay in orbit months more than scheduled. Norman Thagard becomes first American astronaut to visit Mir. Series of dramatic accidents starts February 23 when oxygen-generating canister catches fire, nearly forcing crew to evacuate. On June 25, cargo ship rams Mir, puncturing laboratory module, but crew quickly seals it off. Two days later, computer fails.