Final Destination
After lowering its orbit for several days, Mir completes its descent through the Earth's atmosphere. Hundreds of fragments fail to burn up upon re-entry and fall through the sky.
Click here to watch a report by the BBC's Andrew Clark
Click here to watch Mir's final moments
The end of an era
After 15 years of orbiting the Earth, the ill-fated Mir spacestation will soon begin its descent. For many Russian people, Mir's closing moments represent the end of an era as the space programme has been one of their greatest achievements.
Click here to watch a report by the BBC's Caroline Wyatt
The BBC's Science Correspondent, Tom Heap, reports on the schedule to splashdown
Out with a bang
The largest man made object ever to be brought back to Earth will start breaking up on entry into the Earth's atmosphere at a height of about 80km, with about 20-25 tonnes of the 130-tonne station expected to fall into the Pacific Ocean.
Eye on the sky
The Russians are aiming to bring Mir back to Earth in an unpopulated area of the South Pacific. But in the heart of the drop zone is tiny Norfolk Island, a former penal colony, and the residents are hoping for a "Mir miss", as local tour operator Les Quintal explains.
Residents of Norfolk Island are building an ark to escape the risk
The BBC's Tom Metcalfe reports on the speculation surrounding Mir's entry into the Pacific Ocean
Costly countdown?
As splashdown gets closer, it is revealed that the Russians have taken out about £80 million in insurance against the possibility that debris might cause damage. Peter Bernhard is a director of Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers, the world's largest specialist aerospace insurer.
Click here to listen to Peter Bernhard speak to the BBC
Crashing out
In December 2000, Russia drew up final plans to crash the unmanned space station into the Pacific Ocean. The target date was 20 February and the splashdown was to be in the ocean east of Australia.
Plans scrapped
In November 2000, Mir's rollercoaster ride was almost over after plans for a commercial venture were ditched leaving the leaking spacecraft with no funding and no future. It was with regret that Russia's space agency confirmed Mir had served its purpose.
Rescue bid
In April 2000, a crew of two cosmonauts travelled back to carry out repairs on Mir after an international consortium put forward plans to make money from the craft through commercial use.
Mir unmanned
In August 1999, the three-man Russian crew left Mir and returned to Earth. It was the first time the space station had been unmanned since it was launched 13 years before. Mir was only meant to last for five years. Plans were afoot to ensure the remains fell into the Pacific Ocean.
Space venture
In June 1995, the US space shuttle Atlantis prepared for a link-up with Mir as part of the first steps towards setting up an international space station.
Historic link
In February 1995, the US space shuttle Atlantis docked with Mir for the first meeting in space by craft from both countries for 20 years. It was to mark a new era of co-operation.
Soviet success
In October 1987, Soviet scientists celebrated a new victory in the space race when a cosmonaut broke the space endurance record. He spent his 238th day orbiting Earth aboard the Mir space station.