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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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:
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 ISS is truly gigantic:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Since astronauts stay for months in microgravity, their bodies are altered in various ways, including:
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:
These experiments help scientists figure out how human life can be sustained beyond Earth.
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.
Without gravity, muscles and bones weaken rapidly. To avoid this happening, astronauts exercise for two hours a day using special equipment
These exercises keep astronauts fit and prevent them from losing bone density, a major concern for long-duration missions.
Spacewalks are one of the most thrilling, yet dangerous activities astronauts perform as part of an Extravehicular Activity-EVA.
Despite being far from home, astronauts stay connected in various ways:
Fun fact: The first TikTok video from space was posted in 2022 by ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti !
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 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
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 !
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