Journey of International Space Station

Humans are always fascinated about outer space and have done multiple projects to explore space. The International Space Station (ISS) is seen as a milestone in human history. International Space Station is a multi-nation construction project, which orbits on lower earth orbital and one of the largest structures ever placed on the space. 

ISS is a place of conducting scientific research, which could be done only in space and microgravity research, observing the earth from space and to serve as a transportation and servicing intermediate for space vehicles and satellites and as a base for deep-space exploration. 

Idea of developing a space station

 

The Konstantin E. Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935) wrote an book in 1883 “Free Space,” in which he executed sketches of what a spaceship orbiting the earth might look like, it additionally included occupants in it. This leads to inspiration for many future space engineers and scientists to develop an space station. 

Furthermore one of the inspired scientist Sergei P. Korolev designed an space station module before his death and his colleagues were successful in placing experimental space station in earth orbit named Salyut, under soviet Union. 

Origin of the space station 

It took many years to bring the space station to reality. 

In 1984, The American President Ronald W. Reagan directs NASA to build the ISS within the next 10 years. 

In 1988, President Reagan announced that the orbital facility would be called Space Station Freedom.

Then NASA began the process of designing efficient modules of station and Unites States, Japan, Canada and nine ESA member states signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for space station construction and utilization.

In meantime, the soviet union launched its another space station Mir in 1986, with several elements added to increase the facility’s research and habitation capabilities. 

As the soviet union broke down in 1991, the fate of Mir and plan to launch Mir 2 was uncertain. By using the situation effectively, President William J. Bill Clinton invited Russia to hitch the space station Freedom program for essentially adding modules planned for Mir-2. This union was later called as International Space Station (ISS). 

Construction of the international space station

The construction of international space station was initiated and planned to build in pieces on earth and launched into space and assembled in earth orbit due to its larger size. 

In November 20,1998, the Russians launched the Zarya ("sunrise"). Module, the primary element of the ISS on-orbit segment. 

Then on December 4, 1998

Unity, the first U.S.-built component of the International Space Station launched.

On November 2, 2000

Astronaut Bill Shepherd and cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev become the primary crew to reside onboard the station. 

In February 7, 2001

Destiny, the U.S. Laboratory module, becomes part of the station. 

On February 7, 2008

The European Space Agency’s Columbus Laboratory becomes a part of the station.

On March 11, 2008

The first Japanese Kibo laboratory module becomes a part of the station.

It took nearly 10 years to establish complete international space station with more than 40 Mission to assemble. 

 

How big is an international space Station? 

The ISS has a volume 35,000 cu feet, a mass of approximately 4,20,000 kilograms, generating 100 kilowatts of power output through solar panels, a truss 108.4 metres long, modules 74 metres long, and a crew of six. 

How do crew members live on an ISS?

The ISS consist of pressurized Chambers and environmental conditions favoured for astronauts.

There are numerous challenges for eating in space and low gravity conditions. Food and drink are packaged using zip lock bags, retort pouches and cans are used due to their slight weight, compact size and airtight seals, which prevented spoilage and spillage. An spacecraft docked with fresh water and pre-packaged meals are sent in an interval of every two months to international space station. 

Another difficulty was with water, the water would float away from the container in microgravity, drinking fluids in space require astronauts to suck liquid from a bag through a straw. These bags can be refilled at water stations through a low pressurized hose. 

The air for ventilation in ISS is manufactured by the process of electrolysis of water, which yields 

oxygen and hydrogen. 

Oxygen is utilized for air circulation and hydrogen is utilized for fuel purposes.

We as humans can achieve anything we admire or desire. We can create anything Extraordinarily or demolish anything to its extinction. Therefore, we should utilize it in an appropriate way.