Related topics: space station , nasa , space shuttle discovery , space , shuttle
International Space Station
hideThe International Space Station (ISS) is an internationally developed research facility currently being assembled in Low Earth Orbit. On-orbit construction of the station began in 1998 and is scheduled to be complete by 2011, with operations continuing until at least 2015. As of 2009[update], the ISS is the largest artificial satellite in Earth orbit, with a mass larger than that of any previous space station.
The ISS is a joint project among the space agencies of the United States (National Aeronautics and Space Administration—NASA), Russia (Russian Federal Space Agency—RKA), Japan (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency—JAXA), Canada (Canadian Space Agency—CSA) and ten European nations (European Space Agency—ESA).[a] The Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) participates through a separate contract with NASA. The Italian Space Agency (ASI) similarly has separate contracts for various activities not done within the framework of ESA's ISS projects (where Italy also fully participates). China has reportedly expressed interest in the project, especially if it would be able to work with the RKA, although as of 2009[update] it is not involved due to objections from the United States.
The space station can be seen from Earth with the naked eye, orbiting at an altitude of approximately 350 kilometres (220 mi) above the surface of the Earth, travelling at an average speed of 27,724 kilometres (17,227 mi) per hour, completing 15.7 orbits per day.
The ISS has been continuously staffed since the first resident crew, Expedition 1, entered the station on 2 November 2000. This has provided an uninterrupted human presence in space for the last &0000000000000008.0000008 years, &0000000000000269.000000269 days. Prior to May 2009, the station had the capacity for a crew of three. However, to fulfil an active research programme, since the arrival of Expedition 20, it has been staffed by a resident crew of six. The crew of Expedition 20 is currently aboard.
Early crew members all came from the American and Russian space programmes until German ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter joined the Expedition 13 crew in July 2006. The station has been visited by astronauts from 16 different nations, and it was the destination of the first six space tourists.
For more information about International Space Station, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with international space station
Atlantis 'Go' For Launch to Station on Nov. 16
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 29, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's space shuttle Atlantis is targeted to begin an 11-day flight to the International Space Station with a Nov. 16 launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is scheduled ...
NASA tries 2nd time to launch experimental rocket
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 28, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Bad weather was interfering with NASA's attempt to launch a new, experimental rocket for the second day in a row early Wednesday.
New from NASA, an iPhone application
Oct 23, 2009 |
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NASA is coming to the iPhone. The US space agency announced on Friday that it has created a free NASA application for the popular Apple smartphone and the iPod Touch.
Panel says NASA should skip moon, fly elsewhere (Update)
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 23, 2009 |
3.3 / 5 (12) |
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(AP) -- NASA needs to make a major detour on its grand plans to return astronauts to the moon, a special independent panel told the White House Thursday.
Cargo craft docks with space station
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 18, 2009 |
4 / 5 (1) |
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(AP) -- A cargo ship has delivered food, fuel, oxygen and other supplies to the International Space Station.
NASA Launches Tweetup for Space Shuttle Atlantis Liftoff in Florida
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 14, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- For the first time, NASA Twitter followers are invited to view a space shuttle launch in person at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Circus founder calls his trip to space a success
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 13, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte on Tuesday called his 10-day space mission "a great success" because it drew attention to his efforts to guarantee access to clean water worldwide.
Circus billionaire hosts show aboard space station
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 11, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
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(AP) -- Canadian space tourist and circus billionaire Guy Laliberte mixed star power, science lectures, music and poetry in hosting a show from the International Space Station that was broadcast on television ...
Russian spacecraft with circus tycoon lands safely
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 11, 2009 |
3.7 / 5 (3) |
1
(AP) -- The Russian Soyuz capsule carrying Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte and two other space travelers landed safely in Kazakhstan on Sunday, ending the entertainment tycoon's mirthful space odyssey.
ISS Expedition 20 Prepares for Departure
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 09, 2009 |
5 / 5 (2) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- The nine residents of the International Space Station were busy with crew handover activities and science-related tasks Thursday as they prepared for the departure of the Expedition 20 crew ...
NASA Tests Load Limits for Ares I Rocket Main Parachute
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 09, 2009 |
not rated yet |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA and industry engineers conducted a design limit load test of the Ares I rocket's main parachute Oct. 8 at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground near Yuma, Ariz. The Ares I is the first ...
NASA Invites Young People to Take Virtual Space Station Spacewalks
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 06, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Imagine the thrill of floating out of the International Space Station and into the emptiness of space and what it would be like to work on the orbiting science laboratory.
First NASA Astronaut on Twitter Tops a Million Followers
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 06, 2009 |
not rated yet |
1
(PhysOrg.com) -- The first astronaut to tweet from space has passed another social media milestone. NASA's Mike Massimino, known as @Astro_Mike on Twitter, now shares his daily experiences with more than a million followers ...
Rich circus man says space trip worth $35 million
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 06, 2009 |
2.5 / 5 (2) |
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(AP) -- The rich circus showman who bought a $35 million ticket to the International Space Station says it's been worth every penny.
Plasma Rocket Could Travel to Mars in 39 Days
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Oct 06, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (118) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Last Wednesday, the Ad Astra Rocket Company tested what is currently the most powerful plasma rocket in the world. As the Webster, Texas, company announced, the VASIMR VX-200 engine ran at ...
