Present in space since 1971 thanks to the Saliout orbital stations, in 1986, the Soviets launched the MIR station dubbed the first "space datcha". Gradually supplemented by 5 new scientific modules, MIR paved the way for the International Space Station by allowing the docking of American space shuttles and crew exchanges from 1995 onwards. The station remained in Orbit until 2001 when it was deorbited over the Pacific. In its 15-year lifetime, Mir welcomed around one hundred people of many different nationalities.