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International Space StationThe International Space Station is a roughly football-field-sized structure built through collaboration among the US, Russian, European, Japanese, and Canadian space agencies. Despite a mass of nearly 420,000 kilograms, it orbits Earth about once every 90 minutes at an average altitude of 400 kilometers.
Since the US’ Unity module connected to Russia’s Zarya control module in 1998, the ISS has been incrementally assembled in space and contains 43 components as of 2025. These include solar arrays for power, four labs, six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, and a gym where mandatory exercise helps astronauts maintain muscle mass in microgravity. Observational instruments have collected geological, meteorological, climate, and cosmic particle data.
Over 280 individuals from 26 countries have visited the ISS and conducted over 4,000 experiments, ranging from growing protein crystals for pharmaceuticals to testing the effectiveness of microbes at mining space minerals. The ISS is expected to be retired in 2030.Explore International Space Station
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Watch a 4K time-lapse of auroras seen from the International Space StationThe video was created from 711 photos taken by European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli on Sept. 15, 2017, as part of the Vitality, Innovation, Technology, and Ability mission. European Space Agency, ESAExplore an interactive diary of the International Space StationThe tool enables users to learn about the daily events that occurred on the ISS since continuous human occupancy began on November 2, 2000. Upon selecting a date in the calendar, users can explore activity logs, relevant news, and multimedia content, including videos, photographs, and audiologs, from the onboard crew. ISS in Real TimeSpace trash forced astronauts on the International Space Station to take shelterAn inactive Russian satellite broke up into nearly 200 pieces, prompting astronauts on the space station to take shelter in a docked spacecraft and a capsule that could be used to escape in case of emergency. The GuardianExplore a timeline of the International Space Station National LabIn 1984, President Ronald Reagan called for establishing a human presence in space, which began with NASA astronaut Bill Shepherd and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev on November 2, 2000. Humans have continuously occupied the ISS every day since. ISS National LabRead about every visitor to the International Space StationThe US has sent the most astronauts to the ISS, with 170 visitors, followed by 64 from Russia, 11 from Japan, and nine from Canada. American astronauts Michael E. Lopez-Alegria and Peggy A. Whitson and Russian cosmonauts Yuri Malenchenko and Fyodor Yurchikhin have the most trips, with five each. NASAThe International Space Station is slowly falling due to atmospheric dragTo stay in orbit, the largest human-made object in space needs periodic rocket boosts to maintain its orbital speed and height. Its solar panels collect enough energy to power over 60 average US homes each year. NASAWhen retired, the International Space Station will undergo a controlled de-orbitWith plans to transition low-Earth orbit operations to private entities, the ISS is expected to be retired by 2030, using a SpaceX de-orbit vehicle. Although reentry will burn up most hardware, NASA intends for any surviving debris to fall into an uninhabited ocean area. The ConversationTake a virtual tour of the International Space StationThe ISS is the largest human-made object in space. Its modules were meticulously connected by robotic arms and astronauts during slow, careful spacewalks, creating a structure with over eight miles of electrical wire. Google Arts and CultureMost elements of the International Space Station were installed over two decadesSpace shuttles delivered storage carriers, docking compartments, airlocks, solar arrays, and labs, which were assembled in low Earth orbit. The station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm, alongside maneuvering spacewalkers, has assisted with this assembly since its installation in 2001. NASAWatch a livestream of Earth from the International Space StationThe feed is made possible by the SpaceTV-1 camera system, which is live over 20 hours a day. Video replays are shown during routine loss of signal communications with the inter-satellite link relaying the video data. SenAstronauts exercise on the International Space StationAstronauts maintain bone, muscle, and cardiovascular health with physical activity. It's crucial astronauts make time to exercise for approximately two hours per day. This resource offers a behind-the-scenes look at how high-intensity workouts help prevent muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and aerobic decline during months-long space missions. NASAWatch a lightning storm from the International Space StationWhile passing over the Alabama and Georgia regions, NASA astronauts photographed passing thunderstorms from the ISS. The illuminated clouds are described as "nebula-like formations." IFLScienceThe International Space Station is powered entirely by large solar arraysLaunched in 1998, its original solar panels were designed to withstand no more than 20 years of wear from temperature swings and micrometeoroid impacts in space. Replacement panels that roll out like carpets have since been installed. NASAThe International Space Station is made up of two incompatible segmentsBefore collaborating due to financial difficulties, Russia and the US had independently been working on developing their own space stations. A specialized adapter was created to connect the Zarya and Unity modules and create the foundation for the ISS. Jared OwenWatch what it’s like to spend a day on the International Space StationMicrogravity makes personal care more complex on the International Space Station, where stray, floating materials must be captured to prevent them from entering vents and clogging filtration vents. No-rinse shampoo, water pouches, and other strategies help minimize obstructions. Marie ClaireWatch the Space Olympics from the International Space StationFrom "synchronized space swimming" to "weightless sharpshooting," crew members in 2021 competed in microgravity versions of events from the summer Games. The "lack-of-floor routine" featured mid-air gymnastics as astronauts floated through space station modules. GizmodoVisitors of the International Space Station are trained in English and RussianDifferent space agencies develop different modules of the ISS, meaning their controls, documentation, and instrumentation are not always written in English. Because the first modules were delivered using US and Russian spacecraft, astronauts have been historically trained in both languages. European Space AgencyColorful thunderstorm phenomena can be viewed from the International Space StationTransient luminous events are lightning-related phenomena that occur in the atmosphere above storm clouds. These events often look like columns of red light resulting from electrical discharge, but may also appear as purple tendrils or long blue jets. NASAGuide a ship to dock at the International Space StationDozens of ships dock at the ISS yearly, rotating astronaut crews and delivering supplies. This simulation lets you try docking a SpaceX Dragon 2 using the same interface and controls as NASA astronauts. SpaceXExplore Earth's atmosphere and what its layers contain in this interactive adventureIn this interactive, users can move from Earth's surface up through its atmosphere, exploring the natural phenomena found in each layer, including atmospheric rivers, auroras, and meteor showers. Artificial structures such as weather balloons and the International Space Station can also be found on the adventure. NASASpaceX's Crew Dragon was the first crewed spacecraft piloted by touchscreenIn May 2020, NASA astronauts flying SpaceX's Crew Dragon to the International Space Station used touchscreen controls instead of traditional switches and dials, a significant shift for astronauts and how they pilot and interact with spacecraft. (Some users may experience a paywall.) The VergeMold growth in space raises the hypothesis of life being brought to EarthPanspermia suggests that life could be carried throughout the cosmos by asteroids, comets, and other objects, but it requires organisms that can withstand the extreme cold of space travel, stellar radiation, lack of water, and intense heat of planetary impacts. The discovery of mold on the International Space Station and experiments showing it can withstand radiation in outer space-like conditions increase the plausibility of the hypothesis. StarTalkMicrogravity can alter the evolution of viruses and bacteriaExperiments conducted on the International Space Station have shown that microgravity environments can delay viral and bacterial infections and induce mutations not seen on Earth. These mutations could have implications for long-term space missions and human health and suggest space can serve as a testing ground for developing new therapeutic approaches. Space.comWatch the lessons Christa McAuliffe was supposed to teach aboard ChallengerAfter the Challenger disaster prevented McAuliffe from teaching in orbit, educators-turned-astronauts Joe Acaba and Ricky Arnold filmed her planned science demonstrations aboard the International Space Station during the 2017-18 school year. NASAEmulating Earth’s light-dark cycle is important for astronaut health and safetyAstronauts aboard the International Space Station experience 16 daily sunrises, but scientists have learned to try to promote circadian rhythms by phasing through several light settings aboard the ISS to improve astronauts’ sleep and productivity. NASANASA plans to bring down the ISS at a location farthest from landPoint Nemo is located in the South Pacific Ocean at coordinates 48°52.6'S 123°23.6'W, approximately 2,688 kilometers (1,670 miles) from Ducie Island, Motu Nui, and Maher Island. The location has served as an underwater graveyard for hundreds of satellites and is expected to be harbor the International Space Station in 2030. Space.comAstronauts have repaired DNA in space using CRISPRThe Genes In Space-6 experiment, conducted aboard the International Space Station, investigated the application of the gene editing tool in microgravity, a crucial experiment for long-duration space travel. The work was done three years after four Minnesota students proposed the experiment as part of a national contest in 2018. Space.comThe crew of the ISS creates unique memorials for deceased colleaguesThe continued human occupancy of the International Space Station since 2000 has led to the development of social and cultural elements by crew members, which the ISS Archaeology Project has catalogued. Records of handmade cakes, decorations, and memorabilia highlight the human aspect of living in space. The ConversationA holoported medical team has been beamed into the ISSIn 2021, using the Microsoft HoloLens Kinect camera and custom Aexa Aerospace software, NASA's flight surgeon led a team of hologram doctors on a pioneering visit to the International Space Station, marking a significant advancement in communication and telemedicine technologies that will be crucial for future deep-space missions. SpaceMixed reality technology helped make repairs to a quantum physics facility in spaceIn 2021, astronaut Megan McArthur used a HoloLens to work alongside Earth-based engineers and make hardware replacements to the International Space Station's Cold Atom Lab, the first quantum science facility in Earth orbit. The facility cools atoms to near absolute zero to perform quantum chemistry experiments in a microgravity environment. NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryIn 2013, an astronaut's helmet began filling with water during a spacewalkA leak in the cooling system of Luca Parmitano's spacesuit caused water to obscure his vision and silence his radio as the International Space Station entered Earth's shadow, forcing him to feel his way back to the airlock in darkness. NOVA PBS OfficialIt is impossible for astronauts to burp in spaceDue to Earth's gravity, liquids and solids sink in our digestive system, while gases rise, allowing them to be forced back up the esophagus to be expelled through burping. In the microgravity environment of the International Space Station, burping would result in vomiting if it were possible. QuartzExplore a collection of resources celebrating the 20th anniversary of the ISSThe media includes a 3D model of the International Space Station, a gallery of images taken from there of Earth, a set of virtual puzzles created from images related to the station, and an ISS digital coloring book. Google Arts and CultureAstronauts follow strict schedules to mimic Earth days and stay healthy in spaceExperiencing 15 sunrises and sunsets a day while aboard the International Space Station, visitors preserve their circadian rhythms and mental health with fixed timetables. Astronauts have described sleep as living in a vacuum cleaner due to ongoing air filtration. European Space AgencyIn 2001, Pizza Hut became the first company to deliver pizza to spaceThe chain paid the Russian space agency nearly $1M for the promotional stunt, which saw a Russian cosmonaut eat the pizza on video. Other unusual objects to make it to the International Space Station include a gorilla suit, an espresso machine, and several musical instruments. BBC Sky at Night MagazineWatch how dozens of everyday human tasks are performed in spaceThis playlist features clips of astronauts aboard the International Space Station explaining how they cook, eat, sleep, and conduct research in microgravity. Other activities to pass the time, including watering plants and playing soccer, are also shown. VideoFromSpaceHow to make a burrito in spaceJust because you’re living at the International Space Station doesn’t mean your cravings disappear. In this video, Chef Traci Des Jardins explains the best way to make a burrito while experiencing microgravity. Adam Savage’s TestedThe Russian Federal Space Agency enabled the first space tourism journeyNASA refused to take Dennis Tito, who had no formal training as an astronaut, up to the International Space Station. Instead, the American engineer and entrepreneur traveled aboard the Soyuz TM-32 mission and described the initial experience of microgravity after engine shutoff as the "most spectacular" part of the flight. BBC NewsNASA has partnered with several private companies to promote commercial space stationsThe retirement of the International Space Station in 2030 has led NASA to refocus its efforts on continuing microgravity research through private partnerships, including the support of multiple commercial space stations' design and development. NASAAs of 2022, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceX are the primary space tourism companiesBlue Origin offers 11-minute suborbital flights for $28M, while Virgin Galactic provides a 90-minute suborbital flight for $450,000. SpaceX offers orbital flights for $55M, including trips to the International Space Station, and plans to offer civilians trips to the moon by 2030. AFAR MediaResearch suggests the cleanliness of the ISS may make astronauts unhealthyThe International Space Station's sterile conditions deprive astronauts of the opportunity to strengthen their immune systems through microbial exposure. To address this problem, future missions may use probiotic-based cleaners and foster diverse microbes in space habitats. Smithsonian MagazineIn 2001, a $20M ticket officially kicked off space tourismOn that day, American businessman Dennis Tito became the first paying passenger to visit space, spending a week aboard the International Space Station. Since then, space participants have been members of sub-orbital flights, which do not require intensive training to prepare for. 1440A SpaceX spacecraft's battery debris survived reentry and crashed into a Florida homeAlthough NASA expected the debris to disintegrate after it was jettisoned from the International Space Station in 2024, the flight support component survived reentry. No injuries were reported from the incident. CNNNASA was founded in response to early Soviet space achievementsAlthough starting behind in the Space Race in 1958, NASA became a global leader in humanity's exploration of space with the Apollo program, which placed astronauts on the moon. Since then, it has been responsible for the construction of multiple telescopes, the International Space Station, and development of the Artemis program to return humans to the Moon before eventually reaching Mars. 1440Microgravity environments improve the success of 3D bioprintingGravity can cause gaps, such as those in the chambers of a 3D-printed heart, to collapse before stem cells, hydrogels, and biochemicals bind together during the bioprinting process. Rather than Earth's surface, some bioprinting is done on the International Space Station, where defective organs are also printed to test treatment methods. BBC NewsAstrobee is a free-floating robotic system helping with routine tasks on the ISSThree cube-shaped robots use electric fans to fly through the microgravity environment of the International Space Station. They are equipped with cameras and sensors that allow them to "see" and navigate their surroundings to take inventory, document experiments, and move cargo. NASA's Ames Research CenterMicrogravity environments reduce muscle mass and bone densityMuscles that assist with balance and resistance to gravity are not subjected to their usual workload on the International Space Station. See the type of exercises that astronauts must complete for roughly two hours daily and learn why these movements are necessary to preserve astronauts' muscles, bones, and cardiovascular health. The VergeVisualize the impact of satellites and space debris orbiting EarthAccording to NASA, approximately 9,000 metric tons of debris are orbiting Earth, with 70% of it located in low Earth orbit, where the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station reside. The growing reliance on space-based platforms for modern technologies, including Starlink satellites, increases the risk of debris collisions. Financial TimesView 60 years of NASA space explorationEstablished in 1958—a year after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1—the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has taken humanity into outer space and helped reveal the nature of the universe. Historic moments include the Apollo 11 mission putting humanity on the Moon and construction of the International Space Station. Interesting EngineeringTechnologies developed for the ISS have brought benefits to people on EarthAbout 93% of water used onboard the International Space Station is recycled through filtration and purification systems that have since been used in regions lacking access to clean water. Treatments to mitigate bone loss and muscle atrophy in astronauts can also help aging adults. NASA
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