Kvant2

Kvant-2, also written Kvant-2, is a Soviet/Russian space station module that was added to the Mir space station as part of the Kvant program. It served to expand Mir’s research capabilities by providing a pressurized laboratory, an airlock for extravehicular activities, and additional docking capability for visiting spacecraft. The module was designed to support experiments across multiple disciplines, including astrophysics, plasma physics, materials science, biology, and Earth observation.

Developed by the Soviet space industry, Kvant-2 was launched in 1989 and docked with the Mir complex soon after arrival. Its incorporation allowed scientists on board to conduct longer and more varied experiments than were possible with the core station alone, and it facilitated spacewalks and maintenance tasks that required an external access point.

During its tenure, Kvant-2 contributed to Mir’s operational flexibility by hosting external experiments and providing a platform for EVA-related activities, as well as serving as a docking node for visiting vehicles. The module remained part of the Mir station through the dissolution of the Soviet Union and into the Russian phase of Mir’s operations, continuing until Mir was deorbited in 2001.

Kvant-2 is part of the broader Kvant program, which aimed to augment space research capabilities on Mir. It is often discussed alongside Kvant-1 as an example of the modular expansion of the Russian space station program during the late 1980s and 1990s.