Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
13:01:41
Sunday November 26, 1989
Kvant 2, the first of two expansion modules planned to enlarge the Mir space station complex, arrived at the station on 6 December 1989. The three-section addition, originally called Module D, was launched from Tyuratam on November 26, via a three-stage Proton-K booster. It was originally scheduled to dock on December 2, but was delayed by technical problems. The new module successfully docked at Mir's front axial port. Two days later, a Liappa docking arm re-docked the module at the upper radial port. A cylinder, it measured 13.73 m long and 4.35 m maximum diameter. Two 26.6-sq-m solar panels provided 6.9 kW of power. The module was divided into a service/cargo section, a payload/equipment section and an airlock permitting easy exit and entrance to Mir during EVAs. Kvant 2 carried an East German multi-spectral remote sensing camera and an Ikar ("Icarus") manned maneuvering unit.
Low Earth Orbit
1 Payload
19,565 kilograms
Manufacturer
KhrunichevRocket
Height: 56.14m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 20,100 kg
GTO: 0 kg
Liftoff Thrust
9,469 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 4.15m
Height: 16.12m
Stages
3
175th
Mission
8th
Mission of 1989
2327th
Mission
68th
Mission of 1989
94th
Orbital launch attempt