Space station

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A space station is an artificial structure designed for humans to live in outer space. To date, only low earth orbital (LEO) stations have been implemented, otherwise known as orbital stations. A space station is distinguished from other manned spacecraft by its lack of major propulsion or landing facilities—instead, other vehicles are used as transport to and from the station. Space stations are designed for medium-term living in orbit, for periods of weeks, months, or even years. The only space station currently in use is the International Space Station. Previous stations include the Almaz & Salyut series, Skylab and Mir.

Space stations are used to study the effects of long-term space flight on the human body as well as to provide platforms for greater number and length of scientific studies than available on other space vehicles. Since the ill-fated flight of Soyuz 11 to Salyut 1, all manned spaceflight duration records have been set aboard space stations. The duration record for a single spaceflight is 437.7 days, set by Valeriy Polyakov aboard Mir from 1994 to 1995. As of 2009[update], three astronauts have completed single missions of over a year, all aboard Mir.

For more information about Space station, read the full article at Wikipedia.
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News tagged with space station

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NASA: Floating 'junk' no threat to space station

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

23 hours ago | 4.5 / 5 (2) | 0

(AP) -- NASA says a piece of old space junk that it's been tracking for a few days is no threat to the International Space Station.

Space shuttle Atlantis, 7 astronauts back on Earth

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 27, 2009 | 5 / 5 (2) | 0

(AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis and its seven astronauts returned to Earth with a smooth touchdown Friday to end an 11-day flight that resupplied the International Space Station.

Astronauts surprised by holiday turkey dinners

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 26, 2009 | 5 / 5 (2) | 0

(AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts thought they were going to give thanks with pantry leftovers Thursday as their mission drew to a close, but found turkey dinners awaiting them.

Thanksgiving last full day in space for shuttle

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 26, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

(AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts will spend Thanksgiving checking their ship for the ride home.

Russia: no space for space tourists

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 26, 2009 | 2.7 / 5 (3) | 1

(AP) -- A top Russian space official says there is no space for tourists wishing to fly to the International Space Station.

Shuttle Atlantis leaves space station, headed home

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 25, 2009 | 4 / 5 (1) | 0

(AP) -- Atlantis and its seven astronauts have left the International Space Station.

Nanotech in Space: Experiment To Weather the Trials of Orbit

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

Nov 24, 2009 | 4 / 5 (2) | 0

Novel nanomaterials developed at Rensselaer were sent into orbit on Nov. 16 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Shuttle, station crews seal hatches for departure

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

(AP) -- After nearly a week together, the crews of shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station said goodbye Tuesday and closed the hatches between them.

Astronauts rest up after 3 spacewalks

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 24, 2009 | 4 / 5 (1) | 0

(AP) -- The astronauts aboard the orbiting shuttle-station complex are resting after their three successful spacewalks.

Astronauts take spacewalk No. 3 after suit snag

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 23, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

(AP) -- A pair of astronauts stepped out on the third and final spacewalk of their shuttle mission Monday, helping to install an enormous oxygen tank at the International Space Station.

Astronaut's baby daughter born as he circles Earth

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 22, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

(AP) -- Astronaut Randolph Bresnik jubilantly welcomed his new daughter into the world Sunday as he floated 220 miles above it.

Baby can wait as expectant dad finishes spacewalk

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 21, 2009 | 3.7 / 5 (3) | 0

(AP) -- A spacewalking astronaut put aside the impending birth of his daughter and blazed through his first-ever venture outside the International Space Station on Saturday.

Planet 51 Star Brings NASA's Message of Exploration Down to Earth

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 20, 2009 | 4 / 5 (2) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Actor Dwayne Johnson, usually known for his action and comedic film roles, takes to the stars as an astronaut in a new animated feature that brings important messages about the importance of space exploration ...

Astronauts await word of baby girl on Earth

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

Nov 20, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

(AP) -- Atlantis' astronauts anxiously awaited word on the birth of one crewman's daughter Friday, as they moved more supplies into the International Space Station and geared up for another spacewalk.