Long ago, humans could do nothing but dream about going to space. They would gaze up at the sparkling stars, wondering what existed beyond the endless sky. But as technology improved, rockets took astronauts past Earth’s atmosphere, and new doors opened. Among them was a daring notion, what if countries could put aside their rivalries and cooperate to create something remarkable in space? This vision brought forth the International Space Station (ISS), the biggest and most ambitious space endeavor in history.
Why Did We Build the ISS?
The concept of the ISS was born of necessity, curiosity, and cooperation. Scientists required a permanent laboratory in space to research how the space environment affects the human body, experiment with new technologies, and conduct research impossible on Earth. Engineers desired a base for future deep-space missions, and astronomers wanted a clearer view of the universe without the interference of Earth’s atmosphere.
But aside from scientific purposes, the ISS had a more significant mission to unite nations. In the Cold War era, the United States and the Soviet Union were space rivals, competing to reach milestones such as launching the first satellite, sending the first man to space, and landing on the moon. But as the years went by, leaders came to understand that collaboration could do much more than competing individually. Rather than constructing individual space stations, several nations came together to work beyond borders, and the ISS became a symbol of peace and collective progress.
The History Behind the ISS: From Competition to Cooperation
The first steps toward a space station were taken during the Cold War, a period of intense rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviets launched the world’s first space station, Salyut 1, in 1971, followed by a series of Salyut stations. The United States responded with Skylab in 1973, which provided valuable insights into long-duration spaceflight. The largest leap toward the ISS, however, was the Mir space station, which was launched by the Soviet Union in 1986. Mir was modular, i.e., it was constructed in space, piece by piece. It accommodated astronauts from different nations, remain operational for 15 years, demonstrating that long duration space habitation was feasible.
When the Cold War ended, NASA and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, started collaborating. This resulted in the Shuttle-Mir program during the 1990s, during which American cosmonauts resided on Mir. It was a landmark moment, it was the first time that countries proved they could put aside their disputes and collaborate in space, even when there were disagreements on planet Earth.
Inspired by this achievement, 15 countries joined together in 1998 to construct the ISS. These were the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and 11 members of the European community. The ISS was the first international space dwelling and demonstrated that science and exploration can bring humans together across political and geographic lines.
Building the ISS: A Space Puzzle Assembled by the World
Picture constructing a giant house not on the planet Earth, but 250 miles into the sky, where there is no air, no ground, and everything floats. Now picture that various components of the house are constructed by various nations, transported into space on rockets, and carefully assembled by astronauts in space suits. That’s how the International Space Station (ISS) was constructed a space puzzle built by the world.
Unlike structures on planet Earth, where buildings are constructed on firm foundation, the ISS had to be constructed in orbit one piece at a time. Individual modules were shipped up separately and assembled into place, often with astronauts executing spacewalks to hook cables, install panels, and drive bolts. The process took longer than a decade and involved more than one nation, so the ISS is now considered one of the greatest engineering accomplishments in human history.
Size and Scale: A City in the Sky
The ISS is a marvel of engineering, both in its size and complexity. Spanning approximately 109 meters (357 feet) in length and 73 meters (240 feet) in width, the ISS is comparable in size to a football field. Its habitable volume is roughly equivalent to a six-bedroom house, providing about 388 cubic meters (13,696 cubic feet) of living and working space for astronauts. Weighing in at a staggering 420 metric tons, the ISS is the largest human-made structure ever assembled in space.
A Global Effort: Who Built What?
Every partner country was involved in constructing the ISS, with each contributing a portion based on their resources and skills. Here’s how the world collaborated to construct this floating laboratory.
Russia (Roscosmos) – The Foundation of the ISS
- Zarya (1998): The first module of the ISS, launched by Russia, provided power, propulsion, and storage.
- Zvezda (2000): A life-support module with crew living accommodations, oxygen generation, and water recycling.
- Soyuz & Progress: Spacecraft for transporting crew and cargo.
United States (NASA) – Science and Power
- Unity (1998): The initial U.S. module, serving as a connector between Russian and American segments.
- Destiny (2001): The primary U.S. science lab, carrying out experiments in physics, biology, and medicine.
- Tranquility (2010): A habitat module, featuring the iconic Cupola window.
- Solar Arrays: Huge panels that produce energy for the station.
Europe (ESA) – Research and Innovation
- Columbus (2008): A science laboratory for microgravity research.
- Cupola (2010): An observation window with seven panes of glass, providing breathtaking views of Earth.
Japan (JAXA) – The High-Tech Lab
- Kibo (2008-2009): The largest single module, designed for science experiments and robotic operations.
Canada (CSA) – The Robotic Hand
- Canadarm2 (2001): A 17-meter-long robotic arm, used for capturing cargo spacecraft and assisting in spacewalks.
Each module was specially designed, tested, and subsequently deployed on rockets or space shuttles, where astronauts and robotic arms would construct them in space. It was a hugely complicated and intricate process, which took years of planning and execution.
The Costliest Construction Project in Human History
The ISS is not only one of the most sophisticated engineering achievements, it is also the costliest building ever constructed. The ISS is estimated to have cost a total of $150 billion. This comprises
- Rocket launches to transport modules and provisions: ~$50 billion
- Annual operations and maintenance: ~$3-4 billion annually
To place this into context –
- The ISS costs more than the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Burj Khalifa, and the Large Hadron Collider together.
- The whole Apollo program, which landed man on the Moon, cost approximately $153 billion (inflation-adjusted)—approximately the same as the ISS.
- The most expensive individual piece of the ISS is the solar power system, which alone cost approximately $2 billion.
- This amount of investment indicates the value and significance that the ISS holds to world science, space travel, and global cooperation.
The Challenge of Building in Space
In contrast to Earth, where cranes and scaffolding are used by construction workers, astronauts had to construct the ISS in zero gravity, in bulky spacesuits, and with temperatures that fluctuate from -250°F (-157°C) to 250°F (121°C) within minutes. Among the greatest challenges were:
- Small launch quantities: Each component of the ISS needed to be contained within a rocket, so components were made to be light but durable.
- Assembly spacewalks: More than 230 spacewalks were conducted by astronauts to assemble, repair, and maintain the ISS.
- Microgravity construction: Simple tasks like tightening a bolt became difficult, as there was no weight or resistance to help with stability.
Despite these obstacles, global crews of astronauts and engineers managed to construct a space station as big as a football field, an effort previously deemed impossible.
The Largest and Brightest Structure in Space
The ISS is truly gigantic:
- Size: Approximately the size of a football field (109 meters in length).
- Mass: Weighs 420,000 kg (925,000 lbs)
- Living area: Comparable to a five bedroom home, with six bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a gym.
- Orbit: Moves at 28,000 km/h (17,500 mph), orbiting the Earth every 90 minutes.
It is so large that, on a clear night, you can see it from Earth without a telescope, appearing as a bright, fast-moving dot in the sky.
Key Modules and Their Functions
The ISS is composed of multiple modules, each serving a specific purpose. The U.S. Destiny Laboratory is the primary research facility, while the European Columbus Module and the Japanese Kibo Module provide additional space for experiments. The Russian Zvezda Module serves as the living quarters and life-support hub. Together, these modules create a self-sustaining environment capable of supporting human life in space.
Life on the ISS: A Floating World Without Borders
Picture waking up suspended in midair, gazing out of a window to behold Earth rotating beneath you, no countries, no borders just one lovely blue planet. This is everyday life on the International Space Station (ISS), where astronauts reside and work in microgravity, performing experiments, keeping the station running, and adjusting to a world that is not like anything on Earth.
The ISS is not merely a spacecraft it’s a home, a laboratory, and a symbol of global cooperation, where astronauts of various nations share meals, conduct revolutionary research, and test the limits of what is possible for human beings in space. But how does one sleep, exercise, go to the bathroom, or even eat in space? Let’s dive into the day-to-day life on the ISS in depth.
Living in Space: A Home Above Earth
ISS accommodates six astronauts at once, although that can be exceeded briefly during the handing over of the crew. ISS is subdivided into many modules, all fulfilling distinct functions—bedrooms, labs, kitchen, and a gym.
A Day in the Life of an Astronaut
Life on the ISS is unlike anything on Earth. Astronauts follow a strict schedule, balancing work, exercise, and leisure. A typical day includes conducting scientific experiments, maintaining the station, and communicating with ground control. In their free time, astronauts can gaze at Earth, take photographs, or simply enjoy the sensation of floating in microgravity.
Sleeping in Zero Gravity
As opposed to on Earth, where we sleep on a bed, the astronauts sleep in sleeping bags mounted on the wall. There is no “up” or “down” in microgravity, so they can sleep in any position. The sleeping quarters are roughly telephone-booth-sized, with a small porthole, a laptop computer, and some personal belongings.
- They zip up into their sleeping bags in order not to drift away.
- They see 16 sunrises and sunsets daily because the ISS orbits the Earth every 90 minutes !
Consumption in Space
- On Earth, gravity holds food in place on the plate, but in space, food would drift away if not secured. That’s why ISS food is vacuum-sealed, freeze-dried, or stored in squeeze pouches.
- Food consists of rehydrated soups, rice, tortillas, and shrimp cocktails.
- Astronauts utilize tortillas rather than bread (as crumbs may drift and clog equipment).
- Beverages are provided in sealed bags with straws since liquids create spheres that float in microgravity.
Going to the Bathroom in Space
This is one of the most common questions about life in space! Because gravity doesn’t pull waste downwards, toilets on the ISS utilize airflow suction to propel waste into collection tanks.
- Urine is purified and recycled into drinking water !
- Solid waste is compressed and stored in containers, which eventually burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.
Science in Space: The ISS as a Floating Laboratory
The major purpose of the ISS is to act as a laboratory in space to conduct research in the effects of microgravity on the human body, materials, and biological processes.
Human Research
Since astronauts stay for months in microgravity, their bodies are altered in various ways, including:
- Bone loss and muscle weakness because of no gravity.
- Fluid shifts that give their faces a puffy appearance as fluids move upwards.
- Such phenomena are known as “Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS)”
- NASA and other space faring agencies research the effects to prepare for long-duration missions to Mars and beyond.
Space Medicine
- The ISS has a small medical facility where astronauts treat minor injuries and illnesses.
- Telemedicine is used for remote diagnosis where doctors provide their guidance from Earth.
- Periodic health check-ups are provided by astronauts to monitor one’s condition.
Growing Plants in Space
As food needs to be self-sufficient during future Mars missions, the ISS has Veggie and Advanced Plant Habitat experiments wherein astronauts grow crops such as:
- Lettuce
- Radishes
- Peppers
These experiments help scientists figure out how human life can be sustained beyond Earth.
Breakthroughs in Medicine, Biology, and Materials Science
Research on the ISS has led to numerous breakthroughs. For example, studies on protein crystallization have advanced drug development, while experiments on tissue regeneration have provided insights into treating diseases. The unique environment of the ISS has also enabled the creation of new materials with applications in industries ranging from aerospace to healthcare.
Exercising in Space: Staying Strong in Zero Gravity
Without gravity, muscles and bones weaken rapidly. To avoid this happening, astronauts exercise for two hours a day using special equipment
- Treadmill with harnesses: The astronauts are strapped down, so they do not float around.
- Stationary bicycle: No seat required, since astronauts don’t sit in space !
- Resistance exercise machine (ARED): Vacuum cylinders are used instead of weights.
These exercises keep astronauts fit and prevent them from losing bone density, a major concern for long-duration missions.
Spacewalks: Stepping Into the Void
Spacewalks are one of the most thrilling, yet dangerous activities astronauts perform as part of an Extravehicular Activity-EVA.
- The astronauts wear oxygen tanks and a pressurized suit with some thermal control.
- They exit the station through the Quest Airlock.
- A single spacewalk lasts 6-8 hours, and it’s used for repairing, maintenance, or experiments.
- An example of this kind of repair is the fixing of the Hubble Space Telescope lens. Astronauts fixed the lens while in space.
Communication and Social Life: Talking to Earth
Despite being far from home, astronauts stay connected in various ways:
- Email and video calls with family.
- Live streams and Q&A sessions with students on Earth.
- Posting updates and pictures on social media (e.g., Twitter, Instagram).
Fun fact: The first TikTok video from space was posted in 2022 by ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti !
A Symbol of Global Unity: Life Without Borders
One of the most beautiful aspects of the ISS is that it belongs to no single country. It is a collaborative effort between the USA, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada, proving that even in times of political tensions, science unites humanity.
Astronauts from different countries share meals, celebrate holidays together, and work side by side. Even during times of conflict on Earth, the ISS remains a peaceful symbol of international cooperation—a place where astronauts see the world without borders.
The Future of the ISS: What Comes Next?
The ISS has indeed been an awesome feat, but not forever in place. According to NASA’s and its international partners’ plans, it will close by 2030. But even so, its successors are coming to life soon: the future of space stations, such as
- Lunar Gateway – a small space station that orbits Earth’s Moon.
- Commercial Space Stations Companies like Axiom Space are building private stations for research and tourism.
- Mars Missions: Lessons learned from the ISS will also help prepare astronauts for long-duration missions to Mars.
Conclusion
The ISS is more than just a space station, it’s a reminder of what humanity can achieve when we work together. It has pushed the boundaries of science, deepened our understanding of space, and strengthened friendships between nations. As we look toward the future, the spirit of collaboration beyond borders will continue to guide us, ensuring that space exploration remains a journey for all of humanity.
And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be one of the astronauts living and working in space, representing Earth as a united world beyond the stars !