Mir '97 was a German initiative funded by the German research ministery (BMBF) and managed by DARA-agency. A German astronaut stayed on board of the Mir space-station for 18 days. The mission objectives were the continuation of science programs from previous MIR missions with German and/or European participation, reusing already available on-board experiments as well as new experiments, and to exercise interfaces, which will be essential for the future use in the international space station. The experimental program included topics in medical, biological and material sciences. In order to prepare for the operation of the International Space Station new methods for the remote controlling of in-orbit experiments and new approaches for astronaut on-board training and guidance were practiced.