Salyut 6 space station falls to Earth

On July 29, 1982, the Soviet Salyut 6 space station burned up in Earth's atmosphere after nearly five years in orbit. Launched in 1977, it was the first second-generation station with two docking ports, enabling crewed missions up to 185 days and resupply by Progress cargo ships. A mold problem in crew quarters led to its intentional deorbit. Its innovations influenced the International Space Station.