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International Space Station: Assembly Complete with Shuttle
This illustration depicts the International Space Station in its completed and fully operational state with elements from the United States, Europe, Canada Japan, and Russia The Space Shuttle transports a crew of six scientist astronauts to relieve the crew already aboard the International Space Station.
The early space program and experiments conducted on the Space Shuttle have made remarkable contributions to medical research and the study of life on Earth. The Space Station is the next step: a permanent laboratory for long-term research, drawing upon the resources and scientific expertise of 13 nations in a cooperative effort. The new design of the Space Station will provide more laboratory space, more electrical power, a larger crew, and greater international participation. The nations involved include: the United States, Canada, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, France, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and now, Russia.
The Space Station will be a testbed for the technologies of the future, and a laboratory for research on new, high-technology industrial materials. Experimental research in the near absence of gravity produces new insights into industrial processes in materials that cannot be replicated on Earth-including increased understanding of fluid physics and combustion that can lead to making lighter, stronger super alloys and energy conservation on Earth. Space vehicles research will improve communications, computer software, utility, and transportation industries.
As an industrial research and development laboratory, Space Station will test lower-cost heating and cooling systems, long-life power converters, safer chemical storage and transfer processes, air and water purification waste management, and recycling systems.
The Space Station will provide a unique environment for research on the growth of protein crystals, which aid in determining the structure and function of proteins. Such information will greatly enhance drug design and research in treatment of diseases. Crystals already grown on the Space Shuttle are superior to anything grown on Earth for research into cancer, diabetes, emphysema, parasitic infections, and immune system disorders.
On board, crew members will study materials that could not exist and processes that could not take place in full Earth gravity. Materials include polymers for everything from paint to contact lenses, semiconductors for high-speed computers and electronics, and high-temperature superconductors for efficiency in electrical devices.
Facts & Figures
|
Wingspan End-to-End Width Length Mass (weight) Operating Altitude Inclination Atmosphere
Crew Size |
361 feet (110.03 meters) 290 feet (88.39 meters) 924,000 pounds (419,126.4 kilograms) 220 miles average (407.44 kilometers) Inclination 51.6 degrees to the Equator Atmosphere 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi) (101.36 kilonewtons per square meter) atmospheric pressure is same as Earth Crew Size 6 people at assembly complete |
Significant Dates
|
Date |
Schedule |
Payload |
|
11/97 |
First Element Launch |
FGB (on Proton rocket) |
|
5/98 |
Capability for 3-person crew |
Soyuz |
|
11/98 |
US Laboratory Launched |
US Lab Module |
|
12/98 |
SSRMS (Canada) |
Canadian Remote Manipulator System |
|
2/99 |
First Utilization Flight |
International Standard Payload Rack |
|
11/99 |
First Russian Research Module Launch |
Russian RM-1 |
|
3/2000 |
Japanese Lab Launch |
JEM Pressurized Module |
|
8/2001 |
Centrifuge Launch |
Centrifuge Accommodation Module |
|
9/2001 |
European Lab Launch |
Columbus Orbital Facility (on Ariane rocket) |
|
2/2002 |
Habitation Module Launch |
US Hab Module |
|
6/2002 |
Assembly Complete |
Full 6-person crew capability; Crew Transfer Vehicle |
Transportation Flights (1997-2002)
Space Shuttle Flights
- Assembly = 21
- Utilization and Outfitting = 6
- Total Shuttle Flights = 27
Russian Flights
- Assembly = 15
- Crew Transport = 10
- Reboost (propulsion) = 19
- Total Russian Flights = 44
ESA Assembly Flights (on Ariane 5 rocket) =1
Launcher for Crew Transport Vehicle = 1
Total Assembly/Transportation Flights = 73