RUSSIA IN SPACE

The DOS stations (Salyut 1, 4, 6 and 7) were of a "civilian" nature, at least by Soviet standards. Almaz 1, 2 and 3 (Salyut 2, 3 and 5) were strictly military. The Almaz program had also developed its own crew and supply delivery vehicles, the TKS. Because of the Almaz/Soyuz "merger" and declining political influence of the OKB-52 unit, the TKS, while it did fly, never carried any crew members. A fourth Almaz, Almaz 4, was to have been launched in 1978, but the program was cancelled not long before the launch could occur... The Almaz stations, also referred to as Orbital Piloted Stations, had superior photo equipment, targeting equipment, and an anti-satellite cannon. A special cargo and crew delivery system was also developed for use with the Almaz. This was designated TKS... Notes: Mir has also been visited by Soyuz TM-3, Soyuz TM-5, Soyuz TM-6, STS-63 (did not dock), STS-74, STS-76, STS-79, STS-81, STS-84, STS-86, STS-89, and STS-91, but these have not been assigned Mir Expedition..