[petuniasevan]

MIR was proof that Russian equipment, though clunky and prone to malfunction, is built to LAST. 15 years of missions is remarkable; what killed MIR was not so much age or obsolescence - though those were a factor - but the Russian space program running out of money.

MIR orbited Earth 86,331 times between February 19, 1986 and March 28, 2001.

For all its much-vaunted multinational design, the International Space Station will require even more expenditure once construction is complete. Will it last 15 years? MAYBE. But it will take heavy cash transfusions (mostly the US Dollar type) to keep it functioning.

[petuniasevan]

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Thanks for the ping!

[xJones]

Thanks for the ping!

[RightWhale]

That orbiting pile could have been sent to orbit the moon without a lot of extra trouble. It could have been our first manned moon station. Why do we waste such resources?

[BossyRoofer]

WOW! Great picture. With all the talk of war I hope they don't take to much out of the budget. Keep up the good work, I think they will find peace in space.

[trussell]

Thank you P7, this is another beautiful pic.