Subject

International Space Station

Definition

The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station or a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. It is a modular structure whose first component was launched in 1998. Now the largest artificial body in orbit it can often be seen at the appropriate time with the naked eye from Earth.

The ISS consists of pressurised modules external trusses solar arrays and other components. ISS components have been launched by American Space Shuttles as well as Russian Proton and Soyuz rockets. In 1984 the ESA was invited to participate in Space Station Freedom. In 1993 after the USSR ended the United States and Russia merged Mir-2 and Freedom together.

The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which crew members conduct experiments in biology human biology physics astronomy meteorology and other fields. The station is suited for the testing of spacecraft systems and equipment required for missions to the Moon and Mars.