The International Space Station is a low-orbit space station used as a research laboratory and is inhabited year-round by humans. There are 17 countries cooperating on the ISS project and the first modules were launched in 1998.
The International Space Station is a space station inhabited by astronauts from around the world. It is a program organized by five different space agencies: NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). The ISS is in orbit with an average altitude of 330 km. The space station makes a full orbit of the Earth every 90 minutes, meaning the space station has an average speed of five miles per second. The strength of gravity at the position of the ISS’s orbit is only slightly weaker than it is on Earth. This microgravity environment is caused by the ISS being in freefall as it orbits the Earth.
The ISS was assembled in modules with the first going into orbit in 1998. Since then, more modules from the international cooperating states have been added. Currently there are 15 modules which are connected together.
The main purpose of the ISS is to provide a place in microgravity to carry out research in space. Research is carried out in a wide range of different scientific fields such as meteorology, astrobiology, and materials sciences. Research is also carried out on the astronauts themselves while they are in space; scientists want to find out how the human body reacts to spending large amounts of time in a microgravity environment. It could also be used as a base for future missions to other places in our solar system.
The ISS is powered by large double-sided solar arrays. This way the arrays can absorb light from the Sun, but also absorb reflected light from the Earth. These solar panels are connected to batteries, allowing the station to be powered when it is not in the sunlight.
The USA and Russia have confirmed that they will continue funding the space station until 2024.
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Try it for Free!Other Space Stations
- Salyut/Almaz - Russia (1971 - 1986)
- Skylab - USA (1973 - 1979)
- Mir - Russia (1986 - 2000)
- Tiangong - China (2011 - Present Day)
How Tos about What is the International Space Station?
How to Create an Interactive ISS Learning Experience in Your Classroom
Introduce the ISS with engaging visuals. Show students pictures and videos of the International Space Station to spark curiosity. Visuals help students connect facts to real-life examples.
Guide students to research ISS facts collaboratively.
Assign small group projects where students find and share interesting facts about the ISS. Collaboration encourages deeper understanding and builds teamwork skills.
Encourage hands-on ISS model building.
Provide simple materials for students to construct their own ISS models. Building models reinforces key concepts and makes learning memorable.
Facilitate a virtual tour or simulation.
Use online resources to take your class on a virtual tour of the ISS. Simulations allow students to explore the space station’s structure and daily life in space.
Host a classroom discussion about life on the ISS.
Lead a conversation about what it’s like to live and work on the ISS. Discussions help students develop critical thinking and empathy for astronauts.
Frequently Asked Questions about What is the International Space Station?
What is the International Space Station (ISS)?
The International Space Station (ISS) is a large spacecraft orbiting Earth, serving as a research laboratory and living space for astronauts from many countries. It helps scientists study space and how living things react to being in orbit.
Who lives and works on the ISS?
Astronauts and cosmonauts from different countries live and work on the ISS. They stay for months to conduct experiments in science, medicine, and technology.
Why was the ISS built?
The ISS was built to be a unique space laboratory where scientists can study the effects of living in space, test new technologies, and foster international cooperation in space exploration.
How does the ISS stay in orbit around Earth?
The ISS stays in orbit by moving fast enough (about 17,500 miles per hour) to balance Earth's gravity with its forward motion, keeping it circling our planet without falling down.
What kinds of experiments are done on the ISS?
On the ISS, astronauts carry out experiments in areas like biology, physics, medicine, and engineering, including studies on how microgravity affects humans, plants, and materials.
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