The International Space Station (ISS)

Construction of the International Space Station started in 1998, as a result of a joint initiative taken by different space agencies of the world including the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The space station has had continuous human presence for the last 8 years starting from the 2nd of November, 2000. The construction of the space station, 81% of which has been completed till date, will end in 2011.

Facts about the International Space Station
The 'Integrated Truss Structure' forms the framework of the International Space Station. Accessories such as solar panels, radiators and unpressurized logistics carriers are mounted on this framework. The International Space Station has 10 pressurized modules. These modules were integrated with the space station gradually and have been manufactured by different nations. The USA has contributed to the space station by providing the four modules, Quest, Destiny, Harmony and Unity. Zvezda, Pirs and Zarya are Russian modules while Japan provided Kibo's Experiment Logistics Module and the Kibo's Pressurized Module. The only module manufactured by the European Space Agency is the Columbus. Four modules are to be installed in the future.

The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, also known as the MPLM, plays an important role in the working of the International Space Station; it is attached to the International Space Stations when space shuttle missions are sent from the earth. It is also used for logistics.

Operations and Missions
The activities and operations carried out at the International Space Station are controlled from the 'Mission Control Centres' (MCC). The MCC of NASA is located at Houston in Texas, while Russia's MCC is situated at Korolyov, Moscow.

Spaceships visit the International Space Station to serve various purposes. The 'Automatic Transfer Vehicle' of the European Space Agency and Russia's 'Roskosmos Progress Spacecraft' carry out tasks related to logistics. Another spacecraft from Russia, the 'Soyuz', is engaged in crew rotation i.e. transportation of the crew to and from the space station. The Space Shuttle program of the USA is more or less involved in the same tasks described above. Providing logistics, crew rotation and assembly are some of its routine operations.

Till date, six space tourists have visited the International Space Station. The Soyuz spacecraft was used for these tours. There are no future plans for space tours, as the space station will host 6 crew members on a permanent basis.

Spacewalk is an activity performed in order to carry out maintenance tasks of the space station. It is also carried out to install new components and modules at the space station.

Columbia Disaster and other Incidents
The space shuttle, Columbia, sent by the USA exploded in mid-air while it was entering the earth's orbit. The 'Columbia Disaster' was a huge setback for NASA and it affected the space program for a considerable period, thereafter. The tragic incident took place on 1st February, 2003, resulting in the loss of all the seven crew members. In the meantime, the Russian spacecraft, Soyuz carried out the transportation of crew members from the year 2003 through 2006.

A computer malfunction on 14th June, 2007 created a problematic situation at the space station. It disabled the carbon dioxide scrubber, oxygen generation, and other systems. The situation, however was brought under control within few hours, after the computers were restarted.

The establishment of the International Space Station symbolizes the integrated efforts on part of developed nations; to grow in the arena of space technology by setting aside mutual differences. The history of the International Space Station dates back to the 1980s. Russia had set up two space stations, Salyut and Mir by the '80 decade. USA wanted to have their own space station Freedom; however, the plans to build this space station didn't work out. Russia's plans to bring the new version of Mir, the Mir-2 faced problems with the disintegration of the U.S.S.R. Thus, a new option of establishing an International Space Station came to the fore. It was the beginning of a new era in the field of space exploration.