INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

The International Space Station( ISS) is the largest man made object to orbit Earth. It orbits Earth at a speed of 7.66 km per second
completing one round in 90 mins. The ISS holds many records including being the most expensive item build, its estimated building price
is 150 billion USD . The ISS is 109 meters long end to end. The weight of this project after completion is 4,20,000 kg about the weight of
10 airplanes. The station orbits Earth in the Exosphere about 400km above ground.
The ISS serves as a home where astronauts live. It has all the essential accommodations like bedrooms, washrooms, a kitchen and a gym.
It is also a unique science laboratory. It can hold 6 crew members. The main reason for building the ISS was to study more about
astronomy, astrobiology, meteorology and physics from space.
How the ISS was made
It all started when 16 nations signed the Space Station
Intergovernmental Agreement laying out each partners
expected contribution to the ISS.
USA (NASA)
11 European countries (ESA)
Japan (JAXA)
Canada(CSA)
Russia (Roscosmos)
Brazil (BSP)
The ISS was sent in space part by part and assembled in space . It has 16 modules and was
completed in 2011.
Module 1 : ZARYA (RUSSIA) Launch date : 20 nov 1998
Zarya was the first module of the ISS and was powered by solar panels. Zarya is a functional cargo block.
Module 2 : UNITY (USA) Launch date : 4 dec 1998
Unity also called node 1 is a docking segment to connect other modules.
Module 3 : ZVEZDA (RUSSIA) Launch date : 12 jul 2000
Zvezda provided the living system and communication system.
Module 4 & 5 : Z1 / P6 TRUSS (USA) Launch date : oct & nov 2000
Z1 truss holds equipment for the station. P6 has the first solar array wings and radiator panels to help remove excess heat for the station.
Module 6 : DESTINY (USA) Launch date : 7 feb 2001
Destiny is the US laboratory module used for experiments and studies.
Module 7 : EXTERNAL STOWAGE PLATFORM 1 (USA) Launch date : 13 mar 2001
Used for extra storage.
Module 8 : CANADARM2 (CANADA) Launch date : 22 apr 2001
Canadarm2 is a very useful feature as it can help in work outside the station.
Module 9 : QUEST AIRLOCK (USA) Launch date : 14 jul 2001
Helps astronauts to step out to perform EVA
Module 10 : PIRS (RUSSIA) Launch date :
Module 11 : S0 TRUSS (USA) Launch date : 8 apr 2002
Part of the integrate truss structure.
Module 12 : MBS (CANADA) Launch date : jun 2002
The Mobile Remote Servicer Base System.
Module 13 : S1 / P1 TRUSS (USA) Launch date : 7 oct 2002 / 23 nov 2002
S ( starboard side ) & P ( port side )
Module 14 : EXTERNAL STOWAGE PLATFORM 2 (USA) Launch date : jul 2005
For extra storage.
Module 15 : P3 / P4 / P5 / S3 / S4 / S5 TRUSS (USA) Launch date : 9 sep 2006 / 9 dec 2006 / 8 jun 2007 / 8 aug 2007
Have solar panels and are part of the integrated truss structure.
Module 16 : HARMONY (USA) Launch date : 23 oct 2007
Also called node 2 it has 6 docking ports.
Module 17 : COLUMBUS (ESA) Launch date : 7 feb 2008
Columbus is the European laboratory.
Module 18 : DEXTRE (CANADA) Launch date : 11 mar 2008
Dextre is a robot that can be attached to the Canadarm2.
Module 19 : KIBO (JAPAN) Launch date : 5 may 2008
Kibo is the Japanese laboratory and the largest module of the ISS.
Module 20 : S6 TRUSS (USA) Launch date :
Module 21 : JEF (JAPAN) Launch date :
Japanese exposed facility is an addition to the laboratory.
Module 23 : POISK (RUSSIA) Launch date :
Russian docking port.
Module 24 : ELC1 / ELC2 (USA) Launch date :
Express logistics carrier. To store hardware.
Module 25 : TRANQUILITY (USA) Launch date :
This is another docking module called node 3.
Module 26 : CUPOLA (USA) Launch date :
Cupola has 7 windows to see the view.
Module 27 : RASSVET (RUSSIA) Launch date :
Mini research module.
Module 28 : LEONARDO (USA) Launch date :
This module is used for storage.
Module 29 : ELC3 / ELC4 (USA) Launch date :
Express logistics carrier. To store hardware.
Module 30 : AMS (USA) Launch date :
Alpha magnetic spectrometer. This is a science experiment.
Module 31 : BEAM (USA) Launch date :
Bigelow expandable activity module.
LIFE ON THE ISS
Life on the ISS seems easy but along with fun there is a strict routine the astronauts have to follow. The first crew there arrived on 2 nov
2000. There are all facilities on the station. The astronauts have to sleep in sleeping bags tied to one spot else they would float while sleeping
because they are living in a microgravity environment, and also the sun rises every 45 minutes. They also have a gym and exercise daily is
very important. They also have special bathrooms on the ISS. However the problem is the need of water, that’s why NASA has developed a
system which converts urine into drinkable water. They also have a kitchen with a variety of food which is refilled every time a rocket comes
at the station. Amazingly in space you don’t feel any weight.
The ISS also has an emergency escape rocket incase of a big fire or depressurization.

Future of ISS
The ISS is selected for retirement in 2030 , and as countries are planning for there own space stations the ISS would not get additions.
Importance of the ISS
ISS is a great example of what we can do by working together. It has also contribute to science and can help make future space missions.
it will allow for advancements in medicine, technology and science. For example, studies in micro and hyper gravity will help
researchers better understand its effects on humans and offer insight into how the human body works. Growing protein crystals in
a space environment can help scientists create better treatment for numerous diseases that currently have no cure. In addition,
the laboratories on the Space Station will allow for innovative space research projects to improve our understanding of the Earth's
environment and the universe in which we live. the Space Station will also serve as the gateway to new frontiers in human space
exploration, a place where we can learn how to live and work "off planet." It will allow for the study of long-term effects of
weightlessness on the human body and as a test bed to understand what adjustments need to be made to current methods
before astronauts are sent to Mars and beyond. In addition, it will allow for critical research in fluids, combustion, life support
systems and the radiation environment, which is needed for future human space exploration.
The major research disciplines for which ISS laboratories are designed are:
•Microgravity Science
•Life Science
•Space Science
•Earth Science
•Engineering Research and Technology
•Space Product Development.
•Advances in telemedicine, disease models, psychological stress response systems, nutrition, cell behavior and
environmental health are just a few examples of benefits that have been gained from the unique space station microgravity
environment.
These are some old designs of the space station by
NASA.