During the early hours of March 23, 2001, Russian flight controllers directed the 15-year-old Mir space station to fall to Earth. Of the 130 tons of the Mir that reentered the atmosphere, about 27 tons were estimated to survive.
In the interest of safety, the drop area for debris was the uninhabited south Pacific Ocean. Although the chances are slim, fragments from the space station may still be recovered...
Update for 3:00 p.m. EST April 1
A little over a week since the reentry of Mir, and to the best of our knowledge, remnants of the Russian space station have yet to have been recovered. A quick search of the auction websites show the novelty of listing fake pieces has also passed (see below for a record of what was listed).
An Associated Press article interviewed "experts" who claimed that fragments could wash up on ocean shores, but they would be worthless. Those interviewed felt there were few if any who would desire a part of the downed-station. Obviously, we disagree.
We will continue to watch for parts of the space station to be recovered and if anything does surface, we will list it here. Until then, enjoy the archive below.
The first pieces surface?
At 1:25 a.m. EST March 23, a listing appeared on eBay for an "actual recovered piece of MIR", scooped from the Pacific Ocean by fisherman Michael Connery. Described as "carbon-black, approximately 3 meters long, round in shape with some jagged edges at either end," the piece reportedly has structural support and wiring visible.
According to the seller ("mir-wreckage"), who represents Connery, a picture will be made available as soon as it arrives in Australia. The opening bid was $100; 50 bids later, the reserve has been met at $10,099.00.
Update: Trying to access the auction now results in the following message, indicating it was removed: "The item you requested (1126537064) is invalid or no longer in our database."
collectSPACE notes: This could easily have been a fake, especially given that both the seller and the high bidder (before the auction was pulled) had a feedback rating of '0' and were both new users. If it was real, it is no longer available.
eBay user "igor97" posted his auction at 1:50 a.m. EST March 23 for an "Actual Piece of the Mir Space Station". Opening at a reasonable 99 cents, bidding has reached $1,025 for the fragment "fished out of the ocean."
Update: eBay seems to be lacking a sense of humor. For a second time, a space station fragment has been pulled from the auction site.
Second update: If at first you do not succeed, try, try again. Seller igor97 has relisted his "fragment," this time clearly labeled "Fake Piece of the Mir Space Station." He writes: "This is NOT a piece of the Mir. It's a fake piece. eBay took this down, I guess because I called it an piece of the Mir. It is actually duct tape and wire."
Third update: Easy come, easy go. eBay has closed this auction again.
collectSPACE notes: One only needs to look at the photograph to know this didn't originate from space. Even the seller admits his folly: "By the way, this is all a lie, it is actually duct tape and wire."
At 1:07 p.m. EST March 23, eBay seller "sputty24" listed his find. "A bolt, approximately 1.5 inches long with a head that is just under half-an-inch in diameter."
His lot description tells of finding the nut in his driveway. "I am pretty sure it was not there when I got home from work last night, so I think the only logical explanation is that some of the Mir [station] debris did come down over Indiana." Listed for 25 cents, it can now be yours for $5.
Update: eBay has closed this auction.
collectSPACE notes: The seller offered no guarantee of authenticity. Probably a joke, otherwise this seller's reasoning was just plain nutty.
A seller of few words, new eBay user "drinkplow" simply listed a "Control panel from Mir wreckage" at 1:59 p.m. EST March 23. Described as "damaged and burned but still intacked," its plastic parts kept it afloat.
No bids received as of yet, the minimum is set at $100.
Update: The item you requested (1126614476) is invalid or no longer in our database.
collectSPACE notes: The lot description included the promise: "more parts on the way." Let's hope not.
A "real looking piece of the Mir space station" was listed at 9:40 p.m. EST Mar. 23 by seller "cbustapeck."
The lot description says the metal part is "covered with carbon deposits, much like a fragment of Mir would be." The minimum of $1.00 has yet to attract a bidder.
collectSPACE notes: If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it must be Mir! The seller removes all mystery as to the origin of this piece when he writes: "If it is not clear already, this is a fake. This is not a real Mir fragment. It does look like one, though."
Do you know of a fragment not listed here? Let us know and we will investigate.
