The term 'Bygone Russian Space Station' refers to the MIR space station, which was a Soviet and later Russian space station that operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001. It was the first modular space station and was assembled in orbit from 1986 to 1996. During its 15-year lifespan, it was visited by over 100 astronauts and cosmonauts from 12 different nations. The MIR space station was deorbited in 2001, and its remains burned up in the atmosphere.