This article applies to students in grades 5-8.

The International Space Station is a large spacecraft in orbit around the Earth. It acts as the home for astronauts and astronauts to live in. The space station is also a unique science laboratory. Several countries work together to build and use the space station. The space station is made of parts assembled by astronauts in space. Its average height orbits the earth. It travels at 17,500 mph. This means it orbits the earth every 90 minutes. NASA is using the space station to learn more about living and working in space. These courses will allow humanity to bring into space more than ever before.

The first part of the International Space Station was launched in November 1998. Russian Rockets launch control of Russian Zarya (Zar ee UH) Module. About two weeks later, the shuttle struggled to meet Zarya in orbit. The space shuttle carries the unified US node. The crew attaches the unified node to Zarya.

More works were added over the next two years before the station was ready to live there. The first crew arrived on November 2, 2000. People have lived on space stations ever since. Over time, more works have been added. NASA and its partners from all over the world completed the construction of the space station in 2011.

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If you want to know

Air lock: An airtight chamber that can be pressurized and reduced to allow access between spaces with different air pressure.

Microgravity: A condition, especially in space orbits, where gravity force is so weak that it loses weight.

Module: Individual, independent segments of spacecraft designed to perform specific missions.

truss: A structural frame based on a strong structural shape of triangles; acts as a beam that supports and connects various components.

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The space station has the volume of a six-bedroom home with six sleeping areas, two bathrooms, a gym and a 360-degree view bay window. It is able to support a crew of seven people, as well as tourists. On Earth, the space station will weigh nearly one million pounds. The station is measured from the edge of the solar array and covers the area of ​​the football field that includes the end area. It includes laboratory modules from the United States, Russia, Japan and Europe.

In addition to the laboratory where astronauts conduct scientific research, there are many other parts of the space station. The first Russian module includes the basic systems required for the operation of the space station. They also provide a living area for the crew. A module called a "node" connects a portion of a station to each other.

Extending to the side of the space station is a solar array. These arrays collect energy from the sun to provide electricity. The array is connected to the station truss. On the truss are radiators that control the temperature of the space station.

The robot arm is installed outside the space station. Robot arms are used to help build space stations. These weapons can also move astronauts while walking outside. Other weapons run scientific experiments.

Astronauts can walk in space Air lock That opens outward. The docking port allows other spacecraft to connect to the space station. New crew members and tourists arrive through the port. Astronauts flew to the space stations on SpaceX Dragon and Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Robot spacecraft uses docking ports to provide supplies

Space stations make it possible for people to persist in space. Since the arrival of the first crew, humans have lived in space every day. The space station's lab allows staff to conduct research that cannot be carried out anywhere else. This scientific research has benefited people on Earth. Space research is even used in daily life. The result is a product called a "derivative product." Scientists also study what happens to people's bodies when they live Microgravity for a long time. NASA and its partners have learned how to keep the spacecraft running well. All of these courses are important for future space exploration.

NASA is currently developing plans to explore other worlds. The space station is one of the first steps. NASA will use the lessons learned in the space station to prepare for human missions entering space more than ever before.

Are you interested in careers related to living and working in space? Many different types of work make the space station successful. Here are a few examples:

astronaut: These explorers come from a wide range of backgrounds, including military service, medical fields, scientific research and engineering design. Astronauts must have the skills of leadership, teamwork and communication. It took them two years of training before they were eligible to be assigned to space flight missions.

Microgravity Plant Scientist: These scientists have studied methods of growing plants in a microgravity environment in space. Plants grown on future space missions can provide food and oxygen. Plant scientists designed the experiments by astronauts at the space station. These test new technologies to maximize plant growth.

Fitness coach: Spending several months at the space station will cause damage to the astronaut's bodies. Fitness coaches work with astronauts before, during and after the space station mission to help them stay strong and healthy. This includes creating exercise programs for them while they live and work in space.

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