Space Stations
S
pace stations date back a long way – in fiction, but only
in modern times have they become fact. One early post-
war design was due to Wernher von Braun, who planned a
Space Wheel; the crew would live in the rim, and rotation
of the wheel would simulate gravity for the astronauts.
The Von Braun Wheel never progressed beyond the plan-
ning stage; it would certainly have been graceful.
The first real space station was the US Skylab, which
was manned by three successive crews in 1973–4, and was
very successful; a great deal of work was carried out. It
remained in orbit until 11 July 1979, when it re-entered
the atmosphere and broke up, showering fragments widely
over Australia – fortunately without causing any damage
or casualties.ATLAS OF THE UNIVERSE
Skylab. The first true
space station; during 1973–4
it was manned by three
successive crews. It
continued in orbit until 11
July 1979, when it broke up
in the atmosphere.Mir in orbit.The core
module, known as the base
block, was launched on 20
February 1986. Modules
were added to the core in
1987, 1989, 1990 and 1995.
During its lifetime, the space
station hosted 28 long-term
crews. It re-entered Earth’s
atmosphere in March 2001.The Von Braun Wheel
was never actually built, and
is shown here in an artist’s
impression. As well as
the space station, the picture
shows a space telescope, a
space taxi, and a reusable
shuttle vehicle. They are
depicted orbiting
approximately 1730 km
(1075 miles) above Central
America.Then came Soviet Russia’s Mir, launched on 20
February 1986. It remained in orbit until 23 March 2001,
when it was deliberately brought down into the Pacific.
For most of the time between 1986 and 2000 it was inhab-
ited, and research of all kinds was undertaken. Problems
arose during its last few years, after the end of its planned
lifetime, but it was an outstanding success. It was visited
by astronauts from many nations (including Britain).
Without it, the setting-up of the International Space
Station (ISS) would have been far more difficult.
The ISS was assembled in orbit, more than 350 kilo-
metres (220 miles) above the Earth. In-orbit assembly
began on 20 November 1998, with the launch of the
Russian-built Zarya (Sunrise) control module; the Station
was scheduled to be complete by 2004. It is truly interna-
tional, and crew members are changed regularly; flights to
and from it, in Space Shuttle craft, have become routine.
Research covers all fields of science, and the ISS has ush-
ered in the new era of space research.B Atl of Univ Phil'03stp 31/3/03 4:00 pm Page 28