We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Astronomy

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is the International Space Station?

Michael Anissimov
By
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 34,288
References
Share

The International Space Station (ISS) is a research facility in low Earth orbit, orbiting at an altitude between 320 km (199 mi) to 345 km (214 mi). As of May 2007, the International Space Station consists of four small rooms, known as "pressurized modules" in engineering parlance, and has a living capacity for three astronauts. The station is scheduled to be completed as of 2010, and will include a total of 10 pressurized modules, alongside a Soyuz spacecraft functioning as a lifeboat and a large unpressurized truss structure for solar panels.

Currently, the International Space Station is the only permanently manned facility in orbit. It was created as a way for five space agencies to share the high costs of launching and maintaining an in-orbit facility. The five agencies participating in the ISS project are NASA (United States), Roskosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), CSA (Canada), and the ESA (European Union). By the time the station is completed in 2010, the entire project will have cost around $100 billion USD or more. The International Space Station has been in orbit since 1998 but only occupied since 2000. It has already had 124 distinct visitors, including five paying space tourists, who paid $20 million US Dollars (USD) each to visit the station.

The first module of the International Space Station, Zarya (meaning "dawn" in Russian), was launched in 1998, and orbited autonomously for almost two years due to delays in constructing Zvezda ("star" in Russian), a service module with sleeping space for two astronauts. Zvezda also contains a shower and toilet, exercise equipment, a galley for food preparation, and is the largest module on the ISS, by a small margin. Shortly after Zarya was launched, the American Unity Module was attached to it. True to its name, Unity functions as a connecting node between other modules, and is sometimes referred to as Node 1. The final module currently in orbit is the US-built Destiny Laboratory Module, where scientific research is conducted.

From late 2007 to 2010, six additional modules are to be launched: Node 2, the Columbus Laboratory Module (European), Japanese Experiment Module, Multipurpose Laboratory Module (Russian), Node 3, and the Docking Cargo Module. The goal is for the space station to be completed by 2010. Most of the modules have a projected operating lifespan of 15 years, so the first module may need replacing or discarding in 2013, but the majority of the station should remain operational through 2020.

Share
All The Science is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Michael Anissimov
By Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated All The Science contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism to his articles. An avid blogger, Michael is deeply passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. His professional experience includes work with the Methuselah Foundation, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and Lifeboat Foundation, further showcasing his commitment to scientific advancement.
Discussion Comments
By hangugeo112 — On Dec 26, 2010

@ShadowGenius

This is an interesting idea, but they would have to take into account the fact that there is no gravity in space. When astronauts return to earth after a long period of time spent in the Space Station, they often have to go through therapy to re-acquaint their bodies with the constraints of gravity. Bodies weaken when weightless.

By ShadowGenius — On Dec 25, 2010

If work continues on this station, I wonder what its projected capacity will be. Will it someday turn into a complex the size of a skyscraper? Perhaps it may even approach the size and population of a city.

By JavaGhoul — On Dec 22, 2010

This space station has people from a variety of nations. The unity in space may help to enhance unity on earth. As we realize that we are all humans on a shared planet, we will be enabled to turn our eyes outward, and vice versa. That being said, I wonder what the language of space is, and how they communicate on the International Space Station.

By Georgesplane — On Jun 30, 2010

As of 2010, the ISS has had 196 visitors and is currently housing its 24th crew. Besides the five countries that have space programs involved, there are ten other countries involved in some way with the space station.

The Space Station has about 18,000 cubic feet since the most recent module was added. This is about the equivalent of two three-bedroom houses. So far, the Italians, European Union, Russia, Japan, the United States, and Canada have built modules for the International Space Station.

These nodules have allowed the space station to host 400 different experiments. Scientists are also working on another 150+ current and planned experiments.

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated All The Science contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology...
Learn more
Share
https://www.allthescience.org/what-is-the-international-space-station.htm
Copy this link
All The Science, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All The Science, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.