The term LAUNCH OF 2/20/86 refers to the launch of the Soviet space station Mir on February 20, 1986. The launch was a major milestone in the history of space exploration, as it marked the first time a space station had been placed into orbit. The launch was successful and Mir remained in orbit for 15 years before being deorbited in 2001. The three-letter acronym MIR is used to refer to the space station.