MIR space station in orbit. Composite illustration of the MIR space station in orbit over the Earth, with the Moon (upper right) in the background. The Soviet Union's Mir Space station was launched by the USSR in February 1986 and spent 15 years in orbit around the Earth, being used to carry out numerous scientific experiments. It was de-orbited on 23rd March 2001, resulting in its break-up over the Pacific Ocean.