What Is ISS: International Space Station?

Q.

I would like to know, every person talks about ISS (International Space Station) but what is it actually and what are its aims and objectives?

A.

The ISS, or International Space Station, is the largest space station ever constructed. Comprised of mission-specific modules from many nations, the ISS allows for a variety of experiments and tasks to be performed in order to further the advancement of mankind both in space and on Earth.

A space station differs from a space craft, like the Space Shuttle Orbiter, in that it is designed to remain in orbit around the Earth. Astronauts and Cosmonauts are ferried up to the ISS and back down by the Space Shuttle, and spend their time living on the ISS performing experiments and many tasks designed to keep the ISS running smooth.

Man in Space

While construction of the ISS began in 1998, the first full time resident didn’t come aboard until November 2nd, 2000. Since this time mankind has held a permanent residency in space - something that may soon expand beyond the space station. The effects of long term living on the ISS is one of the many things being studied to pave the way for the successful establishment of permanent lunar bases; a moon station.

The various modules are flown into orbit one at a time and then attached in orbit to the ISS. Each module brings something needed to the project, be it extra living and storage space, scientific equipment, power cells or even a gigantic robot arm. Construction of the ISS is still on-going, and is slated for completion in 2011, when NASA will retire the Space Shuttle Program; before the launch of the Constellation program that will replace it, Russia will provide shuttle services for all nations to and from the ISS.

More than a Space Station

The ISS is more than an orbital research facility; it is also a symbol of the change in the tenor of the Space Race. Prior to the start of the ISS the United States of America and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics each had their own space stations, the end-cap of the individual nation’s pursuits of space exploration. Now, while individual nations - including India, Japan, Canada and China - all have specific goals in mind when it comes to space, the ISS provides a platform where all nations may contribute to, and benefit from, the exploration of 'the final frontier'.