10 Interesting Facts about the International Space Station

In this article, we will talk about the interesting facts about the International Space Station. The International Space Station (ISS) is a station which located in the space, or a satellite which habitable artificial , in low Earth orbit.  It is a modular structure whose first component was launched in 1998. To know more about it, these are some important facts about the International Space Station which can enrich your reading resources.

Facts about the International Space Station 1: Purposes

Based on the original Memorandum of Understanding between NASA and Rosaviakosmos, the ISS was built to be a laboratory, observatory and factory in low Earth orbit. It was also planned to provide transportation, maintenance, and act as a staging base for possible future missions to the Moon, Mars and asteroids. In the 2010 United States National Space Policy, it was adding other purposes such as serving commercial, diplomatic and educational.

Facts about the International Space Station 2: Two Sections

The station is divided into two sections, the United States Orbital Segment (USOS) and the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) , which then shared onmany nations. Find more facts about the Hubble Telescope here

Facts about the International Space Station 3: Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer is a particle physics experiment module that is mounted on the International Space Station. It is designed to measure antimatter in cosmic rays and search for evidence of dark matter.

Facts about the International Space Station 4: Scientific Research

The ISS provides a platform to conduct scientific research. The wide variety of research fields include astrobiology, astronomy, human research including space medicine and life sciences, physical sciences, materials science, space weather, and weather on Earth (meteorology).

Facts about the International Space Station 5: Education Outreach

The ISS crew provides opportunities for students on Earth by running student-developed experiments, making educational demonstrations, allowing for student participation in classroom versions of ISS experiments, and directly engaging students using radio, video link and email.

Facts about the International Space Station 6: Future Research Plans

The researchers have plans to the next research aboard the ISS such as to examine ozone, aerosols, water vapor,   and oxides in the atmosphere of Earth, as well as cosmic dust, antimatter, cosmic rays,  and dark matter in the universe.

Facts about the International Space Station 7: Weightlessness

The Earth’s gravity is only slightly weaker at the altitude of the ISS than at the surface. However, objects in orbit are in a continuous state of freefall, resulting in an apparent state of weightlessness. Researchers are investigating the effect of the station’s near-weightless environment on the evolution, development, growth and internal processes of plants and animals.  Find more facts about the Hindenburg here

Facts about the International Space Station 8: Amateur Radio on the ISS

It is a volunteer program which encourages students worldwide to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics through amateur radio communications opportunities with the ISS crew. As an international working group, it consists of delegations from 9 countries including several countries in Europe as well as Japan, Russia, Canada, and the United States.

Facts about the International Space Station 9: First Module to be launched

Zarya or the Functional Cargo Block (FGB) was the first module of the International Space Station to be launched. The FGB provided electrical power, storage, propulsion, and guidance to the ISS during the initial stage of assembly.

Facts about the International Space Station 10:  The Largest Single ISS Module

Kib? is the largest single ISS module. This laboratory is used to carry out research in space medicine, biology, Earth observations, materials production, biotechnology, communications research, and has facilities for growing plants and fish.

We will appreciate any comment related to facts about the International Space Station.