KHRUNICHEV STATE RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION SPACE CENTER
Proton | Priroda
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Apr 23, 1996 at 11:48 UTC
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PAD81/23 (81L)
SITEBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan →ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEHuman Exploration
PROGRAMMir
MISSION OVERVIEW
Priroda was the last of the scheduled five Russian modules of the Mir space station complex and was launched from the Baykonur cosmodrome by a Proton-K rocket to dock after 3 days rather than the usual 9 days. The launch itself was 3 days earlier than the planned date in order to facilitate an American microbiology program.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
ProtonMISSION
Priroda
MISSION TYPE
Human Exploration
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
81/23 (81L)LAUNCH SITE
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of KazakhstanPROGRAM
Mir
COUNTRY
RUS
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 069c4f86-8c13-4e7d-b2b1-0666417c55f0
Reported date: Apr 23, 1996 at 11:48 UTC
Last synced: 18 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Proton →
MANUFACTURER
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
VARIANT
K
FLIGHTS
29
SUCCESSES
26
SUCCESS RATE
89.7%
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Proton | Priroda launch?
The Proton | Priroda is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 1996 at 11:48 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Priroda?
The Proton | Priroda mission uses the Proton rocket, manufactured by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. The Proton has flown 29 times with a 89.7% success rate.
Where is the Proton | Priroda launching from?
The launch takes place from 81/23 (81L) at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.
What orbit is Priroda going to?
The Priroda mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Priroda?
The Proton | Priroda is operated by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. It is part of the Mir program.
Can I watch the Proton | Priroda launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 23, 1996 at 11:48 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 18 minutes ago
●Launch Library 218 minutes ago
Launch ID: 069c4f86-8c13-4e7d-b2b1-0666417c55f0
●Open-Meteo Weather22 hours ago
Pad weather at 46.07, 62.98
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Mission Profile
Priroda was a Proton K mission operated by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center that lifted off from 81/23 (81L), Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan on April 23, 1996. The flight carried its payload on a human exploration mission to Low Earth Orbit. It was flown as part of the Mir program. The launch was a success.