International Space Station: All You Need To Know About This NASA Science Lab – News18

Whenever we talk about research in space, we often hear about the International Space Station. Do you know what is it? The space station is a unique science laboratory; it is stationed in space. Several nations worked together to build and use the space station. Have you ever wondered how far is the International Space Station from Earth? Can we see it with our naked eyes? Some users asked these same questions on Quora, which has received various intriguing answers. Let us take a look.

International Space Station:

According to reports, the International Space Station is a large spacecraft in orbit around Earth. Crews of astronauts and cosmonauts reside there. It orbits Earth at an average altitude of approximately 250 miles. It has a speed of 17,500 mph. It orbits Earth every 90 minutes. The space station is being used by NASA to learn more about living and operating in space.

History:

Reports suggest the construction of the International Space Station started in the year 1998. America prepared it in collaboration with Russia. Later, a total of 15 agencies including Japan’s space agency JAXA, European agency ESA and Canada’s CSA joined it. Meanwhile, NASA and its partners from around the world completed construction of the space station in 2011.

Why is the Space Station important?

The space station is important as it makes it possible for research in space to be conducted. Since the first crew’s arrival, people have been residing in space in this space station. The laboratories enable crew members to do their research.

As per reports, a few days ago, NASA said that the space station will work until 2031; and only after that, its removal will be considered. At present, there is no thought of decommissioning it. The space station has faced threats many times; since 1999, its location has changed more than 30 times due to space debris.