Tag: Mir space station
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From Communion to Cognac: The History of Alcohol in Space
Introduction: A surprisingly longstanding space tradition Alcohol in space is a topic that sounds like folklore, yet it sits at the intersection of culture, science, and endurance. From the first ceremonial sips of communion wine on lunar missions to the rumored secret stashes aboard space stations, the history reveals how human rituals adapt when life…
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Mir Collision Aftermath: Russian Cosmonauts, Cognac, and the 1997 Crisis
Overview: a near-disaster on Mir On June 25, 1997, the Russian space station Mir faced a crisis that could have ended in catastrophe. An uncrewed Progress M-34 cargo spacecraft collided with Mir during a docking attempt, rupturing the Spektr module’s pressure hull and causing a rapid loss of air. The crew sealed off the damaged…
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Alcohol, danger, and solidarity: How Mir cosmonauts drank after a near-disaster in space
Introduction: a crisis in orbit On June 25, 1997, the Russian space station Mir faced a life-threatening crisis when an uncrewed Progress M-34 cargo vessel collided with the station during a docking attempt. The impact ruptured the Spektr module’s pressure hull, causing a rapid loss of air and forcing the crew to seal off the…