SALYUT

any of a series of Soviet space stations that served as scientific laboratories and living quarters in Earth orbit for the crews aboard several Soyuz spacecraft. Soyuz craft and Progress cargo ferries routinely rendezvoused and docked with Salyut to transfer cosmonauts and supplies to the space station. The crews aboard Salyut were rotated periodically, enabling months-long habitations of the station. Salyut 1, launched April 19, 1971, was the world's first space station. Salyut 2 broke up shortly after launch. Salyuts 3 and 5 were military space stations, while Salyuts 4 and 6 were basically for civilian purposes. Salyut 6 (launched 1977) and Salyut 7 (launched 1982) were of a new and more advanced design that featured docking ports at both the aft and forward ends, a new refueling system, and better living quarters for the crew.