International Space Station
The International Space Station as seen from the departing Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-122.
ISS Insignia
Station statistics
Call sign:	Alpha
Crew:	3
Launch:	1998-Present
Launch pad:	KSC LC-39, Baikonur LC-1/5 & 81/23
Mass:	245,735 kg (540, 617lb) (2008-02-15) 471,736 kg (1,040,000 lb) upon completion [1]
Length:	58.2 m (191 ft) along truss (2007-02-22)
Width:	44.5 m (146 ft) from Destiny to Zvezda 73.15 m (240 ft) span of solar arrays (2007-02-22)
Height:	27.4 m (90 ft) (2007-02-22)
Living volume:	424.75 m³ (15,000 ft³)
Atmospheric pressure:	101.3 kPa (29.91 inHg)
Perigee:	331.0 km (183.2 nmi) (2008-02-15)
Apogee:	339.0 km (184.6 nmi) (2008-02-15)
Orbit inclination:	51.6410 degrees (2008-02-15)
Typical orbit altitude:	340.5 km (183.86 nmi)
Average speed:	27,743.8 km/h (17,239.2 mi/h, 7706.6 m/s)
Orbital period:	91.34 minutes
Orbits per day:	15.78224218 (2008-02-15)
Days in orbit:	3405 (17 March 2008)
Days occupied:	2694 (17 March 2008)
Number of orbits:	53738 (17 March 2008)
Distance travelled:	2,000,000,000 km (1,100,000,000 nmi)
Statistics as of November 20, 2007 (unless noted otherwise).
References: [2] [3]
Configuration
International Space Station current elements
International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) is a research facility currently being assembled in space. The on-orbit assembly of ISS began in 1998. The space station is in a low Earth orbit and can be seen from Earth with the naked eye: it has an altitude of 350-460 km (217-286 statute miles)^[1] above the surface of the Earth, and travels at an average speed of 27,700 km (17,210 statute miles) per hour, completing 15.77 orbits per day. The ISS is a joint project among the space agencies of the United States (NASA), Russia (RKA), Japan (JAXA), Canada (CSA) and eleven European countries (ESA).^[4] ISS generally refers to the International Space Station, but may also refer to: ISS Inc. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (3072x123, 151 KB) Flags of participating countries; International Space Station. ... Call sign can refer to different types of call signs: Airline call sign Aviator call sign Cosmonaut call sign Radio and television call signs Tactical call sign, also known as a tactical designator See also: International Callsign Allocations, Maritime Mobile Service Identity This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid... Rockets (including missiles) can be launched from the following: for a launch into an orbital spaceflight and beyond: a launch pad, including a floating platform (see San Marco platform, Sea Launch) for the launch into a suborbital flight also: a missile silo a mobile launcher vehicle a submarine air launch... The launch pad refers to the facilities where rockets or spacecrafts liftoff. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ... Launch Complex 39 is a large site and a collection of facilities at the John F. Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island in Florida, USA, originally built for the Apollo program, and later modified to support Space Shuttle operations. ... Map showing the location of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan The Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakh: Байқоңыр ғарыш айлағы, Bayqoñır ÄŸarış aylağı; Russian: Космодром Байконур, Kosmodrom Baykonur), also called Tyuratam, is the worlds oldest and largest operational space launch facility. ... Gagarins Start (Russian: ) is a launch site at Baikonur Cosmodrome, used for the Soviet space program and managed by the Russian Federal Space Agency since 1991. ... For other uses, see Mass (disambiguation). ... Kg redirects here. ... Look up pound in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Volume (disambiguation). ... The cubic meter (symbol m³) is the SI derived unit of volume. ... It has been suggested that Thousand Cubic Feet be merged into this article or section. ... Atmospheric pressure is the pressure at any given point in the Earths atmosphere. ... For other uses, see Pascal. ... Pressure is the application of force to a surface, and the concentration of that force in a given area. ... Perigee is the point at which an object in orbit around the Earth makes its closest approach to the Earth. ... “km” redirects here. ... A nautical mile or sea mile is a unit of length. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... A diagram of Keplerian orbital elements. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the science fiction novella by William Shunn, see Inclination (novella). ... This article describes the unit of angle. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Kilometres per hour (American spelling: kilometers per hour) is a unit of both speed (scalar) and velocity (vector). ... Miles per hour is a unit of speed, expressing the number of international miles covered per hour. ... Metre per second (U.S. spelling: meter per second) is an SI derived unit of both speed (scalar) and velocity (vector), defined by distance in metres divided by time in seconds. ... The orbital period is the time it takes a planet (or another object) to make one full orbit. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... International Space Station mockup at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. ... Layers of Atmosphere - not to scale (NOAA)[1] Outer space, sometimes simply called space, refers to the relatively empty regions of the universe outside the atmospheres of celestial bodies. ... The International Space Station in 2007 A space station is an artificial structure designed for humans to live in outer space. ... A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit in which objects such as satellites are below intermediate circular orbit (ICO) and far below geostationary orbit, but typically around 350 - 1400 km above the Earths surface. ... ISS redirects here. ... The naked eye is a figure of speech referring to human visual perception that is unaided by enhancing equipment, such as a telescope or binoculars. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... This article is about velocity in physics. ... ... For other uses, see NASA (disambiguation). ... The Russian Federal Space Agency (Russian: Федеральное космическое агентство России, commonly known as Roskosmos) or RKA, formerly the Russian Aviation and Space Agency (Russian: Российское авиационно-космическое агентство, commonly known as Rosaviakosmos), is the government agency responsible for Russias space science programme and general aerospace research. ... The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ), or JAXA, is Japans national aerospace agency. ... The Canadian Space Agency (CSA or, in French, lAgence spatiale canadienne, ASC) is the Canadian government space agency responsible for Canadas space program. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... ESA redirects here. ...

The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB, Brazil) participates through a separate contract with NASA. The Italian Space Agency similarly has separate contracts for various activities not done in the framework of ESA's ISS works (where Italy also fully participates). China has reportedly expressed interest in the project, especially if it is able to work with the RKA.^[5] The Chinese are not currently involved, however. The Brazilian Space Agency (Agência Espacial Brasileira) is the civilian authority in Brazil that is in charge of the countrys burgeoning space programme. ... The Italian Space Agency (Italian: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana; ASI) was founded in 1988 to promote, coordinate, and conduct space activities in Italy. ... The Russian Federal Space Agency (Russian: Федеральное космическое агентство России, commonly known as Roskosmos) or RKA, formerly the Russian Aviation and Space Agency (Russian: Российское авиационно-космическое агентство, commonly known as Rosaviakosmos), is the government agency responsible for Russias space science programme and general aerospace research. ...

The ISS is a continuation of what began as the U.S. Space Station Freedom, the funding for which was cut back severely. It represents a merger of Freedom with several other previously planned space stations: Russia's Mir 2, the planned European Columbus and Kibo, the Japanese Experiment Module. The projected completion date is 2010, with the station remaining in operation until around 2016. As of 2008, the ISS is already larger than any previous space station. Space Station Freedom was the name given to NASAs project to construct a permanently-manned earth-orbiting space station. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Computer generated model of Columbus on the station Columbus at Kennedy Space Center Columbus is a science laboratory designed to be a part of the International Space Station (ISS). ... ISS JAXA JEM module The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibō (希望, Hope) is the Japanese contribution to the International Space Station and is produced by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and is the largest module for the ISS. It consists of 4 components: The Pressurized Module (PM) is the core component. ...

The ISS has been continuously inhabited since the first resident crew entered the station on November 2, 2000, thereby providing a permanent human presence in space. The crew of Expedition 16 are currently aboard. At present the station has a capacity for a crew of three. In order to fulfill an active research program it will be necessary to eventually hold 6 crew members.^[6] Early crew members all came from the Russian and U.S. space programs. German ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter joined the Expedition 13 crew in July 2006, becoming the first crew member from another space agency. The station has, however, been visited by astronauts from 15 countries. The ISS was also the destination of the first five space tourists. Expedition 1 was the first expedition to the International Space Station. ... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Expedition 16 is the 16th expedition to the International Space Station (ISS). ... Thomas Reiter Thomas Reiter (born May 23, 1958 in Frankfurt, Germany) is an astronaut with the European Space Agency and is a colonel in the Luftwaffe. ... Expedition 13 (2006), the 13th expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), launched at 02:30 UTC on March 30, 2006, using the Soyuz TMA-8 spacecraft, which will stay during the entirety of the expedition for emergency evacuation. ... // This is a list of government agencies engaged in activities related to outer space and space exploration. ... This is a list of visitors to the International Space Station in alphabetical order. ... The curvature of Earth seen from orbit provides one of the main attractions for tourists paying to go into space Space tourism is the recent phenomenon of individuals paying for space travel, primarily for personal satisfaction. ...

The station is serviced primarily by Russian Soyuz and Progress spacecraft and by U.S. Space Shuttle orbiters. On March 9, 2008, the European Space Agency ESA launched an Ariane 5 with the first Jules Verne ATV Automated Transfer Vehicle toward the ISS carrying over 8,000 kilograms of cargo. Rendezvous and docking are planned for early April, 2008. Soyuz (Russian: Союз, pronounced sah-YOUS, meaning union) is a series of spacecraft designed by Sergey Korolyov for the Soviet Unions space program. ... ISS Progress cargo spacecraft The Progress is a Russian expendable freighter spacecraft. ... This article is about the space vehicle. ... This article is about the European Space Agency. ... Ariane 5 mock-up Ariane 5 is a European expendable launch system designed to deliver satellites into geostationary transfer orbit and to send payloads to Low Earth orbit. ...

The official language of the ISS is English. ^[7]

The ISS is the most expensive object ever built by humankind.^[8]

Origins

ISS configuration in 2000: from top to bottom, the Unity, Zarya, and Zvezda modules.

In the early 1980s, NASA planned Space Station Freedom as a counterpart to the Soviet Salyut and Mir space stations. It never left the drawing board and, with the end of the Soviet Union and the Cold War, it was cancelled. The end of the space race prompted the U.S. administration officials to start negotiations with international partners Europe, Russia, Japan and Canada in the early 1990s in order to build a truly international space station. This project was first announced in 1993 and was called Space Station Alpha.^[9] It was planned to combine the proposed space stations of all participating space agencies: NASA's Space Station Freedom, Russia's Mir-2 (the successor to the Mir Space Station, the core of which is now Zvezda) and ESA's Columbus that was planned to be a stand-alone spacelab. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 488 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1569 × 1926 pixel, file size: 428 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 488 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1569 × 1926 pixel, file size: 428 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Space Station Freedom was the name given to NASAs project to construct a permanently-manned earth-orbiting space station. ... The Salyut (Russian: Салют, Salute or Firework) program was a series of space stations launched by the Soviet Union in the 1970s. ... For other uses, see Mir (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Space Race (disambiguation). ... Space Station Freedom was the name given to NASAs project to construct a permanently-manned earth-orbiting space station. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... This article is about Mir, the Soviet space station. ... For other uses, see Zvezda. ... ESA redirects here. ... Computer generated model of Columbus on the station Columbus at Kennedy Space Center Columbus is a science laboratory designed to be a part of the International Space Station (ISS). ...

The first section, the Zarya Functional Cargo Block, was put in orbit in November 1998 on a Russian Proton rocket. Two further pieces (the Unity Module and Zvezda service module) were added before the first crew, Expedition 1, was sent. Expedition 1 docked to the ISS on November 2, 2000, and consisted of U.S. astronaut William Shepherd and two Russian cosmonauts, Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev. Zarya module as seen from STS-88 (NASA) Zarya (meaning sunrise), also known as the Functional Cargo Block or the FGB (the Russian Acronym), was the first module launched of the International Space Station. ... The Proton rocket (Прото́н) (formal designation: UR-500) is a rocket used in an expendable launch system for both commercial and Russian government launches. ... ISS Unity module (NASA) The first U.S.-built component of the International Space Station , a cylinder shaped connecting module with six passageways, or nodes, named Unity, was the primary cargo of Space Shuttle mission STS-88, launched in December 1998 as the first mission dedicated to assembly of the... For other uses, see Zvezda. ... Expedition 1 was the first expedition to the International Space Station. ... Expedition 1 was the first expedition to the International Space Station. ... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Astronaut (disambiguation). ... William McMichael Shepherd (born July 26, 1949) is an American astronaut who served as commander of the Expedition One crew on the International Space Station. ... Yuri Pavlovich Gidzenko (Russian: Гидзенко, Юрий Павлович; born March 26, 1962 in the village of Elanets, Mykolaiv Oblast) is a Russian cosmonaut of Ukrainian descent. ... Sergei Krikalevs official NASA photo Sergei Krikalevs official RSA photo Expedition 11 Commander Sergei Krikalev dons a training space suit. ...

Assembly

Main article: Assembly of the International Space Station

See also: ISS assembly sequence

The assembly of the International Space Station is a major aerospace engineering endeavor. When assembly is complete the ISS will have a pressurized volume of approximately 1,000 cubic meters. Assembly began in November 1998 with the launch of Zarya -- the first ISS module -- on a Proton rocket, and as of 2008 assembly is on-going. International Space Station mockup at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. ... The following is the assembly sequence of the major components of the International Space Station. ... International Space Station mockup at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. ... The Proton rocket (Прото́н) (formal designation: UR-500) is a rocket used in an expendable launch system for both commercial and Russian government launches. ...

Two weeks after Zarya was launched, the STS-88 shuttle mission followed, bringing Unity, the first of three node modules, and connecting it to Zarya. This bare 2-module core of the ISS remained unmanned for the next one and a half years, until in July 2000 the Russian module Zvezda was added, allowing a maximum crew of three astronauts or cosmonauts to be on the ISS permanently.

Pressurized modules

The ISS is currently under construction, and will eventually consist of fourteen pressurized modules with a combined volume of around 1,000 cubic metres. These modules include laboratories, docking compartments & airlocks, nodes and living quarters, eight of which are already in orbit, with the remaining six awaiting launch on the ground. Each module is launched either by Space Shuttle, Proton rocket or Soyuz rocket, and is listed below along with its purpose, launch date and mass. This article is about the space vehicle. ... The Proton rocket (Прото́н) (formal designation: UR-500) is a rocket used in an expendable launch system for both commercial and Russian government launches. ... This article or section seems not to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry. ...

Module	Launch date	Launch vehicle	Docking date	Mass	Assembly flight	Purpose	Isolated View	Station View
Zarya (FGB)	1998-11-20	Proton-K	N/A	19,323 kg (42,600 lb)	1A/R	Provided electrical power, storage, propulsion, and guidance during initial assembly, now serves as a storage module (both inside the pressurized section and in the externally mounted fuel tanks).
Unity (Node 1)	1998-12-04	Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-88	1998-12-07	11,612 kg (25,600 lb)	2A	First American node, connecting the American section of the station to the Russian section (via PMA-1). Provides berthing locations for the Z0 truss, Quest airlock, Destiny laboratory and Node 3.
Zvezda (Service Module)	2000-07-12	Proton-K	2000-07-26	19,051 kg (42,000 lb)	1R	Station service module, providing main living quarters for resident crews, environmental systems and attitude & orbit control, in addition to docking locations for Soyuz spacecraft, Progress spacecraft and the Automated Transfer Vehicle. The addition of the module rendered the ISS permanently habitable for the first time.
Destiny (US Laboratory)	2001-02-07	Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-98	2001-02-10	14,515 kg (32,000 lb)	5A	Primary research facility for American payloads aboard the ISS, also providing environmental systems and living quarters to the station.
Quest (Joint Airlock)	2001-07-12	Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-104	2001-07-14	6,064 kg (13,369 lb)	7A	Primary airlock for the ISS, hosting spacewalks with both American EMU and Russian Orlan spacesuits.
Pirs (Docking Compartment)	2001-09-14	Soyuz-U	2001-09-16	3,630 kg (8,003 lb)	4R	Provides the ISS with additional docking ports for Soyuz & Progress spacecraft, and allows egress and ingress for spacewalks by cosmonauts using Russian Orlan spacesuits, in addition to providing storage space for these spacesuits.
Harmony (Node 2)	2007-10-23	Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-120	2007-11-14	13,608 kg (30,001 lb)	10A	The "utility hub" of the ISS. Node 2 contains four racks that provide electrical power, bus electronic data, and act as a central connecting point for several other components via its six Common Berthing Mechanisms (CBMs). The European Columbus is currently berthed to Harmony. The Japanese Kibō laboratories will also be berthed to Harmony when it is launched. In addition, the Harmony module serves as a berthing port for the Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules during space shuttle logistics flights.
Columbus (European Laboratory)	2008-02-07[10]	Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-122	2008-02-11	12,800 kg (28,219 lb)	1E	Primary research facility for European payloads aboard the ISS, providing ten International Standard Payload Racks and mounting locations for external experiments.
Experiment Logistics Module (JEM-ELM)	2008-03-11	Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-123	2008-03-12	4,200 kg (9,259 lb)	1J/A	Part of the Kibō Japanese Experiment Module laboratory, the ELM provides storage and transportation facilities to the laboratory, with a pressurized section to serve internal payloads and an unpressurized section to serve external payloads.
Japanese Pressurized Module (JEM-PM)	2008-05-25	Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-124	TBD	15,900 kg (35,053 lb)	1J	Not yet launched. Part of the Kibō Japanese Experiment Module laboratory, the PM is the core module of Kibō to which the ELM & Exposed Facility are berthed and contains ten International Standard Payload Racks.
Multipurpose Laboratory Module	December 2008	Proton-K	TBD	21,300 kg (46,958 lb)	3R	Not yet launched. The MLM will be Russia's primary research module as part of the ISS, and will be used for experiments, docking and cargo logistics. It will also serve as a crew work and rest area, and will also be equipped with a backup attitude control system that can be used to control the station's attitude.
Docking Cargo Module	2010	Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-131	TBD	4,700 kg (10,362 lb)	ULF4	Not yet launched. The final Russian component of the ISS, the DCM will be used for docking and cargo storage aboard the station.
Node 3	2010	Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-132	TBD	14,311 kg (31,550 lb)	20A	Not yet launched. The last of the station's US nodes, Node 3 will contain the most advanced life support systems ever flown in space, providing systems to recycle waste water for crew use and generate oxygen for the crew to breathe. The node also provides four berthing locations for more attached pressurized modules or crew transportation vehicles, in addition to the permanent berthing location for the station's Cupola.
Cupola	2010	Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-132	TBD	1,800 kg (3,968 lb)	20A	Not yet launched. The Cupola is an observatory module that will provide ISS crew members with a direct view of robotic operations and docked spacecraft, as well as an observation point for watching the Earth. The module will come equipped with robotic workstations for operating the SSRMS and shutters to prevent its windows from being damaged by micrometeorites. The Cupola will be the last station component to be berthed in its permanent location.

Zarya module as seen from STS-88 (NASA) Zarya (meaning sunrise), also known as the Functional Cargo Block or the FGB (the Russian Acronym), was the first module launched of the International Space Station. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... ISS Zarya module as seen from STS-88 (NASA) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... ISS Zarya module as seen from STS-88 (NASA) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... ISS Unity module (NASA) The first U.S.-built component of the International Space Station , a cylinder shaped connecting module with six passageways, or nodes, named Unity, was the primary cargo of Space Shuttle mission STS-88, launched in December 1998 as the first mission dedicated to assembly of the... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 338th day of the year (339th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... STS-88 was a United States Space Shuttle mission. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 341st day of the year (342nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Unity, already docked to Endeavour via PMA-2, docking with Zarya via PMA-1 (NASA) The International Space Station (ISS) uses three Pressurized Mating Adapters (PMAs) to interconnect spacecraft and modules with different docking mechanisms. ... ISS Unity module (NASA) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 711 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1716 × 1448 pixel, file size: 1. ... For other uses, see Zvezda. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 193rd day of the year (194th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Soyuz (Russian: Союз, pronounced sah-YOUS, meaning union) is a series of spacecraft designed by Sergey Korolyov for the Soviet Unions space program. ... ISS Progress cargo spacecraft The Progress is a Russian expendable freighter spacecraft. ... Water tank Fuel tank ATV vs Apollo vs Progress An Automated Transfer Vehicle or ATV is an unmanned resupply spacecraft developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 488 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1569 × 1926 pixel, file size: 428 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... This is the module of ISS Destiny. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... This is a mission of the United States Space Shuttle // Crew Kenneth D. Cockrell (4), Commander Mark L. Polansky (1), Pilot Robert L. Curbeam (2), Mission Specialist Thomas D. Jones (4), Mission Specialist Marsha S. Ivins (5), Mission Specialist Mission parameters Mass: Orbiter liftoff: 115,529 kg Orbiter landing: 90... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... ISS Destiny Lab module (NASA) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Quest Joint Airlock Module (NASA) The Quest Joint Airlock, previously known as the Joint Airlock Module, is the primary airlock for the International Space Station. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 193rd day of the year (194th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a mission of the United States Space Shuttle // Crew Steven W. Lindsey (3), Mission Commander Charles O. Hobaugh (1), Pilot Michael L. Gernhardt (4), Mission Specialist James F. Reilly (2), Mission Specialist Janet L. Kavandi (3), Mission Specialist Mission Parameters Mass: Orbiter Liftoff: 117,129 kg Orbiter Landing... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 195th day of the year (196th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... NASA portrait of American Astronaut Thomas Akers, wearing a Shuttle EMU. The Space Shuttle/International Space Station Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) is an independent anthropomorphic system that provides environmental protection, mobility, life support, and communications for a Shuttle or ISS crew member to perform extra-vehicular activity (EVA) in earth... Peggy A. Whitson, Expedition Five flight engineer, in an Orlan-M space suit as she prepares for an EVA. (NASA) The Orlan space suits are a series of semi-rigid space suits designed and built by NPP Zvezda for use in the Soviet space program and Russian space program. ... Apollo 15 space suit A spacesuit is a complex system of garments, equipment, and environmental systems designed to keep a person alive and comfortable in the harsh environment of outer space. ... ISS Quest Joint airlock (NASA) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 600 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (4000 × 4000 pixel, file size: 3. ... SO1 Pirs Docking compartment The Pirs docking compartment is a Russian module of the International Space Station (ISS). ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 257th day of the year (258th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Harmony in the Space Station Processing Facility, awaiting launch. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet of NASA, the space agency of the United States. ... STS-120 is the current Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS), that launched on October 23, 2007. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... March 10, 2001 - The Leonardo Multi Purpose Logistics Module rests in Discoverys payload bay in this view taken from the ISS by a crew member using a digital still camera during STS-102. ... Computer generated model of Columbus on the station Columbus at Kennedy Space Center Columbus is a science laboratory designed to be a part of the International Space Station (ISS). ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... STS-122 is the next NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS). ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... ISS JAXA JEM module The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibō (希望, Hope) is the Japanese contribution to the International Space Station and is produced by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and is the largest module for the ISS. It consists of 4 components: The Pressurized Module (PM) is the core component. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 70th day of the year (71st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... STS-123 is a planned Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) which will be flown by Space Shuttle Endeavour. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 71st day of the year (72nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... ISS JAXA JEM module The Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Kibō (希望, Hope) is the Japanese contribution to the International Space Station and is produced by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and is the largest module for the ISS. It consists of 4 components: The Pressurized Module (PM) is the core component. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... STS-124 is a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station, planned for April 2008. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3000x1995, 6223 KB) ISS japanese Kibo module original description: In the Space Station Processing Facility, the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) rests on a workstand during pre-assembly measurement activities. ... MLM docked to the ISS The Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) will be a component of the International Space Station funded by the Russian Federal Space Agency. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Docking Cargo Module (DCM) (Russian: , Transliteration: {{{2}}}) is the newest addition to the International Space Station (ISS) manifest. ... STS-131 is a Contingency Logistic Flight (CLF) of the Space Shuttle Endeavour planned for no earlier than January 14, 2010. ... Purpose If Node 3 is added to the International Space Station it will contain the most advanced life support systems ever flown in space. ... This is a Space Shuttle launch to visit the International Space Station, planned for January 2010. ... ISS Cupola (NASA) View from inside of the Cupola ISS Cupola as viewed from the floor of the International Space Station Center The Cupola is a ESA-built observatory module of the International Space Station (ISS) that will provide astronauts with direct viewing for robotic operations and Space Shuttle payload... This is a Space Shuttle launch to visit the International Space Station, planned for January 2010. ...

Major ISS systems

The ISS in 2001, showing solar panels.

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 600 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (4000 × 4000 pixel, file size: 3. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 600 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (4000 × 4000 pixel, file size: 3. ...

Power supply

Main article: Electrical system of the International Space Station

The source of electrical power for the ISS is the sun: light is converted into electricity through the use of solar panels. Before assembly flight 4A (shuttle mission STS-97, November 30, 2000) the only power source was the Russian solar panels attached to the Zarya and Zvezda modules: the Russian segment of the station uses 28 volts dc (like the Shuttle). In the rest of the station, electricity is provided by the solar cells attached to the truss at a voltage ranging from 130 to 180 volts dc. The power is then stabilized and distributed at 160 volts dc and then converted to the user-required 124 volts dc. Power can be shared between the two segments of the station using converters, and this feature is essential since the cancellation of the Russian Science Power Platform: the Russian segment will depend on the U.S. built solar arrays for power supply.^[11] Electrical power is the most critical resource for the International Space Station because it allows the crew to live comfortably, to safely operate the station, and to perform scientific experiments. ... For delivered electrical power, see Electrical power industry. ... A photovoltaic module is composed of individual PV cells. ... This is a mission of the United States Space Shuttle // Crew Brent W. Jett (3), Commander Michael J. Bloomfield (2), Pilot Joseph R. Tanner (3), Mission Specialist Carlos I. Noriega (2), Mission Specialist Marc Garneau (3), Mission Specialist - Canada Mission Parameters Mass: Orbiter Liftoff: 120,742 kg Orbiter Landing: 89... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... Zarya module as seen from STS-88 (NASA) Zarya (meaning sunrise), also known as the Functional Cargo Block or the FGB (the Russian Acronym), was the first module launched of the International Space Station. ... For other uses, see Zvezda. ... Josephson junction array chip developed by NIST as a standard volt. ... Direct current (DC or continuous current) is the continuous flow of electricity through a conductor such as a wire from high to low potential. ... NASAs Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States governments current manned launch vehicle. ... International safety symbol Caution, risk of electric shock (ISO 3864), colloquially known as high voltage symbol. ... ISS Science Power Platform (NASA) The Science Power Platform (SPP) is a Russian element of the International Space Station (ISS) brought up by the Space Shuttle to provide additional power for the ISS as well as roll axis control capability for the orbital facility. ...

Using a high-voltage (130 to 160 volts) distribution line in the U.S. part of the station led to smaller power lines and thus weight savings. In electrical engineering High voltage refers to a voltage which is high. ...

The solar array normally tracks the sun to maximize the amount of solar power. The array is about 375 m² in area and 190 feet (58 m) long. In the fully-complete configuration, the solar arrays track the sun in each orbit by rotating the alpha gimbal; while the beta gimbal adjusts for the angle of the sun from the orbital plane. (However, until the main truss structure was brought up, the arrays were in a temporary position perpendicular to the final orientation, and in this configuration, as shown in the image to the right, the beta gimbal was used for the main solar tracking.) Another slightly different tracking option, Night Glider mode, can be used to reduce the drag slightly by orienting the solar arrays edgewise to the velocity vector. A gimbal is a mechanical device that allows the rotation of an object in multiple dimensions. ... ISS elements as of December 2006 The Integrated Truss Structure forms the backbone of the International Space Station, with mountings for unpressurized logistics carriers, radiators, solar arrays, and other equipment. ... Night Glider Mode (or XVV Night Glider mode) is one of the procedures for orienting the solar arrays on the International Space Station. ...

Life support

Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS).

The ISS Environmental Control and Life Support System provides or controls elements such as atmospheric pressure, oxygen levels, water, and fire extinguishing, among other things. The Elektron system generates oxygen aboard the station. The highest priority for the life support system is the ISS atmosphere, but the system also collects, processes, and stores waste and water produced and used by the crew. For example, the system recycles fluid from the sink, shower, urine, and condensation. Activated charcoal filters are the primary method for removing byproducts of human metabolism from the air.^[12] Accelerared Learning Cycle This file has been listed on Wikipedia:Possibly unfree images, because it is missing information on its source or copyright status. ... Accelerared Learning Cycle This file has been listed on Wikipedia:Possibly unfree images, because it is missing information on its source or copyright status. ... The life support system is a group of devices that allow a human being to survive in an environment hostile to human life, eg. ... Elektron is a Russian oxygen generator used on board the International Space Station (ISS). ... Activated carbon Activated carbon, also called activated charcoal or activated coal, is a general term which covers carbon material mostly derived from charcoal. ...

Attitude control

The attitude (orientation) of the station is maintained by either of two mechanisms. Normally, a system using several control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) keeps the station oriented, i.e. with Destiny forward of Unity, the P truss on the port side and Pirs on the earth-facing (nadir) side. When the CMG system becomes saturated, it can lose its ability to control station attitude. In this event, the Russian Attitude Control System is designed to take over automatically, using thrusters to maintain station attitude and allowing the CMG system to desaturate. This happened during Expedition 10.^[13] When a shuttle orbiter is docked to the station, it can also be used to maintain station attitude. This procedure was used during STS-117 as the S3/S4 truss was being installed. Control Moment Gyro(scope) is an attitude control device generally used in satellite attitude control systems. ... Expedition 10 (2004–2005) was the 10th expedition to the International Space Station, using the Soyuz TMA-5, which stayed during the expedition for emergency evacuation. ... STS-117 is the current Space Shuttle mission being flown by Space Shuttle Atlantis, which launched from pad 39A of the Kennedy Space Center on June 8, 2007. ...

Altitude control

The ISS is maintained at an orbit from a minimum altitude limit of 278 km to a maximum limit of 460 km. The normal maximum limit is 425 km to allow Soyuz rendezvous missions. Because ISS is constantly falling due to minute atmospheric drag and gravity gradient effects, it needs to be boosted to a higher altitude several times each year.^[14] A graph of altitude over time shows that it drifts down almost 2.5 km per month.^[15] The boosting can be performed by two boosters on the Zvezda module, a docked Space Shuttle, or by a Progress resupply vessel and takes approximately two orbits (three hours) in which it is boosted several kilometers higher.^[14] While it is being built the altitude is relatively low so that it is easier to fly the Space Shuttle with its big payloads to the space station. Atmospheric drag is a form of drag, which is the force that opposes an object moving through a liquid or gas. ... Gravity-gradient stabilization is a method of stabilizing artificial satellites in a fixed attitude using only the orbited bodys gravitational field. ... For other uses, see Zvezda. ... ISS Progress cargo spacecraft The Progress is a Russian expendable freighter spacecraft. ...

Scientific research

Columbus at Kennedy Space Center

One of the main goals of the ISS is to provide a place to conduct experiments that require one or more of the unusual conditions present on the station. The main fields of research include biology (including biomedical research and biotechnology), physics (including fluid physics, materials science, and quantum physics), astronomy (including cosmology), and meteorology.^[16][17] The 2005 NASA Authorization Act designated the U.S segment of the International Space Station as a national laboratory with a goal to increase the utilization of the ISS by other Federal entities and the private sector. As of 2007, little experimentation other than the study of the long-term effects of microgravity on humans has taken place. With four new research modules set to arrive at the ISS by 2010, however, more specialized research is expected to begin. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 768 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1168 × 912 pixel, file size: 130 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 768 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1168 × 912 pixel, file size: 130 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the c