The most recent addition to Mir, the Priroda ("Nature") module was launched in April 1996, completing the assembly of the Mir complex. The module carries Earth observing equipment as well as experiments and other equipment for the joint American-Russian missions on Mir (including more than a ton for astronaut Shannon Lucid, who was on the station when Priroda arrived.)
There are several purposes of the Earth remote sensing mission of Priroda. It is designed to study the atmopshere and oceans, with an emphasis on pollution and other environmental impact of human activities on them. It is also designed to conduct geological surveys that can be used to locate mineral resources and water reserves and study the effects of erosion on crops and forests. It is also designed to receive and relay information from "emergency buoys" located in seismically active areas, around nuclear power plants, and other zones, as part of the Kentavr monitoring and warning system.
| Length: | 13 m (42.9 ft.) |
| Mass: | 19,700 kg (43,300 lbs.) |
| Max. Diameter | 4.3 m (14.2 ft.) |
| Volume: | 66 m^3 (2370 cu. ft.) |