Astronomy Picture of the Day . ... 2.04.1996 . ... Credit Copyright: NASA , STS-76 Crew Explanation: Imagine flying though space and approaching the Mir space station . ... Mir, now 10 years old , is equipped for scientific experiments in astronomy, physics, materials, biology and chemistry. The top most module on Mir is an unmanned supply ship used to send food and supplies. ... Four more shuttle flights are currently planned to Mir, keeping a NASA astronaut continuously in space until late 1997. ...