The Kristall module was added to MIR in 1990.

It is used for the research of involving biology and processing of materials.

It possesss a hatchway that, originally projected for coupling of russian sapce bus BURAN, is used for the docking of North American space buses.

This module contains equipment of attitude control, management of electric energy and systems of control of the environment and the temperature of the station. It has also solar boards to prevent damage during the docking process.