Space^33
The ISS is currently the only space station in orbit around
the Earth. It has been built from more than 100 separate
main parts. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA), provided most of the station hardware and was in charge
of construction. Russia, Europe (through the European Space
Agency), Japan, and Canada have also supplied major units.
WHAT IS IT LIKE INSIDE THE ISS?
Up to six astronauts live on the ISS at one time. They have
one-person booths or sleeping stations, located around
the habitable modules. There are two space toilets but no
shower. Instead, crew members wash with special wipes
and a water jet. Four main laboratories are the places
where astronauts carry out scientific research. Work takes
up to 10 hours on weekdays. The rest of the time is spent
on meal breaks, exercise, and recreation.
In a space station, a large manned spacecraft orbiting
Earth, astronauts can live and work in space for long
periods. The. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS)
is the biggest structure ever to be built in space.
WHAT ARE SPACE STATIONS USED FOR?
Space stations are used to carry out
research. Astronauts have
examined the behaviour of
materials and living things in a
microgravity (near-weightless)
environment, and how space flight
affects the human body.
HOW ARE SPACE STATIONS BUILT?
Early space stations such as Russia’s
Salyuts and the US Skylab were built on
Earth and launched into orbit as complete units.
Larger stations, such as Mir, were assembled in orbit
from modules (sections) ferried up from Earth when
ready. The ISS is also being built like this.
1 EVA ON THE ISS
Robot arms on the shuttle and the ISS connect new sections of the
station, but spacewalking astronauts are needed to complete the job.
More than 850 hours of extravehicular activity (EVA) will be required
before assembly of the station is complete. Afterwards, astronauts will
have to make regular EVAs to carry out maintenance and repairs.
1 MIR
Russia’s Mir space station is
shown docked (linked up) with
a US Space Shuttle. Launched in
1986, Mir was permanently manned
by a crew of two or three
cosmonauts, plus guests from
dozens of nations. Mir fell
back to Earth in 2001.
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
4 THE ISS
Due for completion in 2011, the
International Space Station is
the biggest, most complex space station
ever. With a length of 73 m (240 ft)
and width of 109 m (356 ft), its final
mass is over 400 tonnes (450 tons).
1 SKYLAB
Skylab was a US space station launched
in 1973. Three three-man crews worked
in Skylab for 28, 59, and 84 days. It was
allowed to fall back to Earth in 1979.
SPACE STATIONS
Space Stations
Solar panels
power ISS
Truss acts as
framework
for ISS
External equipment
platform
Thermal panels
control temperature
Re-supply
orbiter docks
with ISS
Research
laboratories
FIND OUT MORE. Astronauts 31 • Forces 164 • Space Travel 30
space
stations