We also delve into what life was really like on Mir – how one eats, sleeps, washes, uses the toilet, or even exercises in zero g's.

And we see how the difficulties involved in these daily necessities placed stresses on the cosmonauts – that before MIR, were previously unknown... as well as how relaxing and having 'Earthly' fun – can be mission critical duties.

Via our unique access to the documentation of life on MIR, we'll observe how even though it seemed to float as an isolated and pristine outpost for Science – MIR was always tethered to the world turning beneath and the changes which were rapidly unfolding below. Dramatic stories, yet to be told – and rarely if ever seen, such as when in 1991, as the Soviet Union collapsed below them on rew were left to ponder their fates. Their country no longer existed. Even the famous Cosmodrome Baikonur, from which they launched, was now a part of the newly independent Kazakhstan. If they could even get home, they would return to a new and different world.

Of the once glorious Russian Space Program which was now suddenly a shadow of its former self.

And how cash strapped, Russia began a series of desperate efforts to keep MIR alive. Transforming Space command into a tour site -and Mir a hotel in space - open for visits by the highest bidder.

Our audience watches as, anxious to keep Russian rocket scientists employed, and their military secrets – and arsenal – out of renegade hands, the Americans intervened...

... turning MIR into a training base for astronauts preparing for the International Space Station.

Two new modules, Spektr and Priroda were added to accommodate stepped up experiments. But a decade in space – and years of limited maintenance – had taken its toll.

Cosmonauts were now spending as much as 75% of their time doing repairs. All hands were needed just to keep Mir functioning – and the Americans had no idea of the frightening dangers awaiting.

That abruptly changed in February 1997 when a malfunctioning oxygen canister erupted into an unstoppable blowtorch.

The fire blocked access to the second escape vehicle. If evacuation was necessary, there would only be room for half the crew.

We talk to crewmembers who were on board, and find out what really happened and the likely reason why to this day there are two versions of the events.

But as our viewers experience firsthand – the worst was really yet to come... Less than four months after the fire, the ill-fated Mir crew was to have another close encounter. After a near miss collision with a supply vehicle only months before... The unthinkable would occur...

As Commander Vasily Tsibliyev tries to manually dock an incoming Progress supply craft – things quickly get out of hand. Progress crashed into Mir, and its life-sustaining atmosphere began hissing out into the vacuum of space.

Once again, our audience is aboard MIR, reliving a historic space disaster.

Yet despite these and other near-catastrophes, MIR successfully trained 7 astronauts while being visited by 9 shuttle crews – providing the Americans, and the rest of the world invaluable insights.

Like a valiant warrior, MIR lived long past its expected life span, offering unparalleled access and answers to the knowledge base we need to reach the Heavens.

From its inception as a political and scientific tool, through its long history of service to our future, MIR existed as a stepping-stone for our voyage to the stars. Leaving us a legacy of long term manned missions and perhaps, someday, colonization of distant planets. MIR blazed a path for us to follow...

Utilizing unique and rare images – we place our audience in a world few have seen or visited before, to experience life in space as it actually was.

An exciting and fascinating hour-long program, 'The MIR Chronicles: A Life In Space' is the actual sights and sounds of the early history of a long journey. A journey toward destiny – of our life in space.

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