Station height μs. International Space Station

Hello, if you have questions about the International Space Station and how it functions, we will try to answer them.

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Today you will learn about this interesting project NASA as the ISS online web camera in HD quality. As you already understand, this webcam works in live and the video goes online directly from the international space station. On the screen above you can look at the astronauts and a picture of space.

The ISS webcam is installed on the station's shell and broadcasts online video around the clock.

I would like to remind you that the most ambitious object in space created by us is the International Space Station. Its location can be observed on tracking, which displays its real position above the surface of our planet. The orbit is displayed in real time on your computer; literally 5-10 years ago this would have been unimaginable.

The dimensions of the ISS are amazing: length - 51 meters, width - 109 meters, height - 20 meters, and weight - 417.3 tons. The weight changes depending on whether the SOYUZ is docked to it or not, I want to remind you that the Space Shuttle space shuttles no longer fly, their program has been curtailed, and the USA uses our SOYUZs.

Station structure

Animation of the construction process from 1999 to 2010.

The station is built on a modular structure: various segments were designed and created by the efforts of the participating countries. Each module has its own specific function: for example, research, residential, or adapted for storage.

3D model of the station

3D construction animation

As an example, let's take the American Unity modules, which are jumpers and also serve for docking with ships. On this moment the station consists of 14 main modules. Their total volume is 1000 cubic meters, and their weight is about 417 tons; a crew of 6 or 7 people can always be on board.

The station was assembled by sequentially docking the next block or module to the existing complex, which is connected to those already operating in orbit.

If we take information for 2013, then the station includes 14 main modules, of which the Russian ones are Poisk, Rassvet, Zarya, Zvezda and Piers. American segments - Unity, Domes, Leonardo, Tranquility, Destiny, Quest and Harmony, European - Columbus and Japanese - Kibo.

This diagram shows all the major, as well as minor modules that are part of the station (shaded), and those planned for delivery in the future - not shaded.

The distance from Earth to the ISS ranges from 413-429 km. Periodically, the station is “raised” due to the fact that it is slowly decreasing, due to friction with the remnants of the atmosphere. At what height it is also depends on other factors, for example space debris.

Earth, bright spots - lightning

The recent blockbuster “Gravity” clearly (albeit slightly exaggeratedly) showed what can happen in orbit if space debris flies into close proximity. Also, the altitude of the orbit depends on the influence of the Sun and other less significant factors.

Exists special service, which ensures that the ISS flight altitude is as safe as possible and that nothing threatens the astronauts.

There have been cases when, due to space debris, it was necessary to change the trajectory, so its height also depends on factors beyond our control. The trajectory is clearly visible on the graphs; it is noticeable how the station crosses seas and continents, flying literally over our heads.

Orbital speed

Spaceships of the SOYUZ series against the backdrop of the Earth, filmed with long exposure

If you find out how fast the ISS flies, you will be horrified; these are truly gigantic numbers for the Earth. Its speed in orbit is 27,700 km/h. To be precise, the speed is more than 100 times faster than a standard production car. It takes 92 minutes to complete one revolution. Astronauts experience 16 sunrises and sunsets in 24 hours. The position is monitored in real time by specialists from the Mission Control Center and the flight control center in Houston. If you are watching the broadcast, please note that the ISS space station periodically flies into the shadow of our planet, so there may be interruptions in the picture.

Statistics and interesting facts

If we take the first 10 years of operation of the station, then total it was visited by about 200 people as part of 28 expeditions, this figure is an absolute record for space stations (our Mir station was visited by “only” 104 people before that). In addition to holding records, the station became the first successful example commercialization of space flights. The Russian space agency Roscosmos, together with American company Space Adventures took space tourists into orbit for the first time.

In total, 8 tourists visited space, for whom each flight cost from 20 to 30 million dollars, which in general is not so expensive.

According to the most conservative estimates, the number of people who can go on a real space journey is in the thousands.

In the future, with mass launches, the cost of the flight will decrease, and the number of applicants will increase. Already in 2014, private companies are offering a worthy alternative to such flights - a suborbital shuttle, a flight on which will cost much less, the requirements for tourists are not so stringent, and the cost is more affordable. From high suborbital flight(about 100-140 km), our planet will appear to future travelers as an amazing cosmic miracle.

Live broadcast is one of the few interactive astronomical events that we see not recorded, which is very convenient. Remember that the online station is not always available; technical interruptions are possible when flying through the shadow zone. It is best to watch video from the ISS from a camera that is aimed at Earth, when you still have the opportunity to view our planet from orbit.

The Earth from orbit looks truly amazing; not only continents, seas, and cities are visible. Also presented to your attention auroras and huge hurricanes that look truly fantastic from space.

To give you some idea of what the Earth looks like from the ISS, watch the video below.

This video shows a view of the Earth from space and was created from time-lapse photographs of astronauts. Very high quality video, watch only in 720p quality and with sound. One of the best videos, assembled from images from orbit.

The real-time webcam shows not only what is behind the skin, we can also watch the astronauts at work, for example, unloading the Soyuz or docking them. Live broadcasts can sometimes be interrupted when the channel is overloaded or there are problems with signal transmission, for example, in relay areas. Therefore, if the broadcast is impossible, then a static NASA splash screen or “blue screen” is shown on the screen.

The station in the moonlight, SOYUZ ships are visible against the background of the Orion constellation and auroras

However, take a moment to look at the view from the ISS online. When the crew is resting, users of the global Internet can watch an online broadcast of the starry sky from the ISS through the eyes of the astronauts - from a height of 420 km above the planet.

Crew work schedule

To calculate when astronauts are asleep or awake, it is necessary to remember that in space Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is used, which in winter lags behind Moscow time by three hours, and in summer by four, and accordingly the camera on the ISS shows the same time.

Astronauts (or cosmonauts, depending on the crew) are given eight and a half hours to sleep. The rise usually begins at 6.00, and the end at 21.30. There are mandatory morning reports to Earth, which begin at approximately 7.30 - 7.50 (this is on the American segment), at 7.50 - 8.00 (in Russian), and in the evening from 18.30 to 19.00. The astronauts' reports can be heard if the web camera is currently broadcasting this particular communication channel. Sometimes you can hear the broadcast in Russian.

Remember that you are listening and watching a NASA service channel that was originally intended only for specialists. Everything changed on the eve of the station’s 10th anniversary, and the online camera on the ISS became public. And, so far, the International Space Station is online.

Docking with spacecraft

The most exciting moments broadcast by the web camera occur when our Soyuz, Progress, Japanese and European cargo spaceships dock, and in addition there is an exit into open space cosmonauts and astronauts.

A small nuisance is that the channel load at this moment is enormous, hundreds and thousands of people are watching the video from the ISS, the load on the channel increases, and the live broadcast may be intermittent. This spectacle can sometimes be truly fantastically exciting!

Flight over the surface of the planet

By the way, if we take into account the regions of flight, as well as the intervals when the station is in areas of shadow or light, we can plan to watch the broadcast ourselves graphic diagram at the top of this page.

But if you can only devote to views certain time, remember that the webcam is online all the time, so you can always enjoy the cosmic landscapes. However, it is better to watch it while the astronauts are working or the spacecraft is docking.

Incidents that happened during work

Despite all the precautions at the station, and with the ships that served it, accidents happened unpleasant situations, one of the most serious incidents is the Columbia shuttle disaster that occurred on February 1, 2003. Although the shuttle did not dock with the station and was conducting its own mission, this tragedy led to all subsequent space shuttle flights being banned, a ban that was only lifted in July 2005. Because of this, the construction completion time increased, since only flights to the station were possible. Russian ships"Union" and "Progress", which became the only way delivery of people and various cargo into orbit.

Also, in 2006, there was a small amount of smoke in the Russian segment, computer failures occurred in 2001 and twice in 2007. The autumn of 2007 turned out to be the most troublesome for the crew, because... I had to fix a solar battery that broke during installation.

International Space Station (photos taken by astro enthusiasts)

Using the data on this page, finding out where the ISS is now is not difficult. The station looks quite bright from Earth, so that it can be seen with the naked eye as a star that is moving, and quite quickly, from west to east.

The station was shot with a long exposure

Some astronomy enthusiasts even manage to get photos of the ISS from Earth.

These pictures look quite high quality; you can even see docked ships on them, and if astronauts go into outer space, then their figures.

If you are planning to observe it through a telescope, then remember that it moves quite quickly, and it is better if you have a go-to guidance system that allows you to guide the object without losing sight of it.

Where the station is flying now can be seen in the graph above

If you don’t know how to see it from Earth or you don’t have a telescope, the solution is video broadcast for free and around the clock!

Information provided by the European Space Agency

Using this interactive scheme, the observation of the station's passage can be calculated. If the weather cooperates and there are no clouds, then you will be able to see for yourself the charming glide, a station that is the pinnacle of the progress of our civilization.

You just need to remember that the station’s orbital inclination angle is approximately 51 degrees; it flies over cities such as Voronezh, Saratov, Kursk, Orenburg, Astana, Komsomolsk-on-Amur). The further north you live from this line, the worse the conditions for seeing it with your own eyes will be or even impossible. In fact, you can only see it above the horizon in the southern part of the sky.

If we take the latitude of Moscow, then the most best time to observe it - a trajectory that will be slightly above 40 degrees above the horizon, this is after sunset and before sunrise.

One of humanity's greatest assets is the International Space Station, or ISS. Several states united to create it and operate it in orbit: Russia, some European countries, Canada, Japan and the USA. This apparatus shows that much can be achieved if countries constantly cooperate. Everyone on the planet knows about this station and many people ask questions about at what altitude the ISS flies and in what orbit. How many astronauts have been there? Is it true that tourists are allowed there? And this is not all that is interesting to humanity.

Station structure

The ISS consists of fourteen modules, which house laboratories, warehouses, rest rooms, bedrooms, and utility rooms. The station even has a gym with exercise equipment. This entire complex runs on solar panels. They are huge, the size of a stadium.

Facts about the ISS

During its operation, the station aroused a lot of admiration. This apparatus is the greatest achievement of human minds. In its design, purpose and features, it can be called perfection. Of course, maybe in 100 years they will start building spaceships of a different type on Earth, but for now, today, this device is the property of humanity. This is evidenced by the following facts about the ISS:

During its existence, about two hundred astronauts visited the ISS. There were also tourists here who simply came to look at the Universe from orbital heights.
The station is visible from Earth with the naked eye. This design is the largest among artificial satellites, and can be easily seen from the surface of the planet without any magnifying device. There are maps on which you can see what time and when the device flies over cities. It's easy to find information about your locality: See the flight schedule over the region.
To assemble the station and maintain it in working order, the astronauts went into outer space more than 150 times, spending about a thousand hours there.
The device is controlled by six astronauts. The life support system ensures the continuous presence of people at the station from the moment it was first launched.
The International Space Station is a unique place where a variety of laboratory experiments. Scientists make unique discoveries in the fields of medicine, biology, chemistry and physics, physiology and meteorological observations, as well as in other fields of science.
The device uses giant solar panels the size of a football field with its end zones. Their weight is almost three hundred thousand kilograms.
The batteries are capable of fully ensuring the operation of the station. Their work is carefully monitored.
The station has a mini-house equipped with two bathrooms and a gym.
The flight is monitored from Earth. Programs consisting of millions of lines of code have been developed for control.

Astronauts

Since December 2017, the ISS crew consists of the following astronomers and cosmonauts:

Anton Shkaplerov - commander of ISS-55. He visited the station twice - in 2011-2012 and in 2014-2015. During 2 flights he lived at the station for 364 days.
Skeet Tingle - flight engineer, NASA astronaut. This astronaut has no space flight experience.
Norishige Kanai - flight engineer, Japanese astronaut.
Alexander Misurkin. Its first flight was made in 2013, lasting 166 days.
Macr Vande Hai has no flying experience.
Joseph Akaba. The first flight was made in 2009 as part of Discovery, and the second flight was carried out in 2012.

Earth from space

There are unique views of Earth from space. This is evidenced by photographs and videos of astronauts and cosmonauts. You can see the work of the station and space landscapes if you watch online broadcasts from the ISS station. However, some cameras are turned off due to maintenance work.

2018 marks the 20th anniversary of one of the most significant international space projects, the largest artificial habitable satellite of the Earth - the International Space Station (ISS). 20 years ago, on January 29, the Agreement on the creation of a space station was signed in Washington, and already on November 20, 1998, construction of the station began - the Proton launch vehicle was successfully launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome with the first module - the Zarya functional cargo block (FGB) " In the same year, on December 7, the second element was docked with the Zarya FGB orbital station- connecting module "Unity". Two years later, a new addition to the station was the Zvezda service module.

On November 2, 2000, the International Space Station (ISS) began its operation in manned mode. Spaceship Soyuz TM-31 with the crew of the first long-term expedition docked to the Zvezda service module.The ship's approach to the station was carried out according to the scheme that was used during flights to the Mir station. Ninety minutes after docking, the hatch was opened and the ISS-1 crew stepped aboard the ISS for the first time.The ISS-1 crew included Russian cosmonauts Yuri GIDZENKO, Sergei KRIKALEV and American astronaut William SHEPHERD.

Arriving at the ISS, the cosmonauts reactivated, retrofitted, launched and configured the systems of the Zvezda, Unity and Zarya modules and established communications with mission control centers in Korolev and Houston near Moscow. Over the course of four months, 143 sessions of geophysical, biomedical and technical research and experiments. In addition, the ISS-1 team provided dockings with the Progress M1-4 cargo spacecraft (November 2000), Progress M-44 (February 2001) and the American shuttle Endeavor (Endeavour, December 2000) , Atlantis (“Atlantis”; February 2001), Discovery (“Discovery”; March 2001) and their unloading. Also in February 2001, the expedition team integrated the Destiny laboratory module into the ISS.

On March 21, 2001, with the American space shuttle Discovery, which delivered the crew of the second expedition to the ISS, the team of the first long-term mission returned to Earth. The landing site was Space center named after J.F. Kennedy, Florida, USA.

In subsequent years, the Quest airlock, the Pirs docking compartment, the Harmony connecting module, and the ISS were docked to the International Space Station. laboratory module"Columbus", cargo and research module "Kibo", small research module "Search", residential module "Tranquility", observation module "Dome", small research module "Rassvet", multifunctional module"Leonardo", transformable test module "BEAM".

Today the ISS is the largest international project, a manned orbital station used as a multi-purpose space research facility. The space agencies ROSCOSMOS, NASA (USA), JAXA (Japan), CSA (Canada), ESA (European countries) participate in this global project.

With the creation of the ISS, it became possible to perform scientific experiments in the unique conditions of microgravity, in vacuum and under the influence of cosmic radiation. Main directions of research - physical chemical processes and materials in space conditions, Earth exploration and development technologies outer space, man in space, space biology and biotechnology. Considerable attention in the work of astronauts on the International Space Station is paid to educational initiatives and the popularization of space research.

ISS is unique experience international cooperation, support and mutual assistance; construction and operation in low-Earth orbit of large engineering structure, which is of paramount importance for the future of all humanity.

MAIN MODULES OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION	CONDITIONS DESIGNATION	START	DONKING

The ISS is the successor to the MIR station, the largest and most expensive object in the history of mankind.

What size is the orbital station? How much does it cost? How do astronauts live and work on it?

We will talk about this in this article.

What is the ISS and who owns it?

The International Space Station (MKS) is an orbital station used as a multi-purpose space facility.

This science project, in which 14 countries take part:

Russian Federation;
USA;
France;
Germany;
Belgium;
Japan;
Canada;
Sweden;
Spain;
Netherlands;
Switzerland;
Denmark;
Norway;
Italy.

In 1998, the creation of the ISS began. Then the first module of the Russian Proton-K rocket was launched. Subsequently, other participating countries began delivering other modules to the station.

Note: In English, the ISS is written as ISS (deciphering: International Space Station).

There are people who are convinced that the ISS does not exist, and that’s all space flights filmed on Earth. However, the reality of the manned station was proven, and the theory of deception was completely refuted by scientists.

Structure and dimensions of the international space station

The ISS is a huge laboratory designed to study our planet. At the same time, the station is home to the astronauts working there.

The station is 109 meters long, 73.15 meters wide and 27.4 meters high. The total weight of the ISS is 417,289 kg.

How much does an orbital station cost?

The cost of the facility is estimated at $150 billion. This is by far the most expensive development in human history.

Orbital altitude and flight speed of the ISS

The average altitude at which the station is located is 384.7 km.

The speed is 27,700 km/h. Full turn The station completes a round trip around the Earth in 92 minutes.

Time at the station and crew work schedule

The station operates on London time, the astronauts' working day begins at 6 am. At this time, each crew establishes contact with their country.

Crew reports can be listened to online. The working day ends at 19:00 London time .

Flight path

The station moves around the planet along a certain trajectory. There is a special map that shows which part of the route the ship is passing at a given time. This map also shows different parameters- time, speed, altitude, latitude and longitude.

Why doesn't the ISS fall to Earth? In fact, the object falls to the Earth, but misses because it is constantly moving at a certain speed. The trajectory needs to be raised regularly. As soon as the station loses some of its speed, it approaches closer and closer to the Earth.

What is the temperature outside the ISS?

The temperature is constantly changing and directly depends on the light and shadow conditions. In the shade it stays at about -150 degrees Celsius.

If the station is located under the influence of direct sun rays, then the temperature outside is +150 degrees Celsius.

Temperature inside the station

Despite fluctuations overboard, the average temperature inside the ship is 23 - 27 degrees Celsius and is completely suitable for human habitation.

Astronauts sleep, eat, play sports, work and rest at the end of the working day - conditions are close to the most comfortable for being on the ISS.

What do astronauts breathe on the ISS?

The primary task in creating the spacecraft was to provide the astronauts with the conditions necessary to maintain proper breathing. Oxygen is obtained from water.

A special system called “Air” takes carbon dioxide and throws it overboard. Oxygen is replenished through electrolysis of water. There are also oxygen cylinders at the station.

How long does it take to fly from the cosmodrome to the ISS?

The flight takes just over 2 days. There is also a short 6-hour scheme (but it is not suitable for cargo ships).

The distance from Earth to the ISS ranges from 413 to 429 kilometers.

Life on the ISS - what astronauts do

Each crew conducts scientific experiments by order from the research institute of his country.

There are several types of such studies:

educational;
technical;
environmental;
biotechnology;
medical and biological;
study of living and working conditions in orbit;
exploration of space and planet Earth;
physical and chemical processes in space;
study solar system and others.

Who's on the ISS now?

Currently, the following personnel continue to remain on watch in orbit: Russian cosmonaut Sergei Prokopiev, Serena Auñon-Chancellor from the USA and Alexander Gerst from Germany.

The next launch was planned from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on October 11, but due to the accident, the flight did not take place. At the moment, it is not yet known which astronauts will fly to the ISS and when.

How to contact the ISS

In fact, anyone has a chance to communicate with the international space station. To do this you will need special equipment:

transceiver;
antenna (for frequency range 145 MHz);
rotating device;
a computer that will calculate the ISS orbit.

Today, every astronaut has high-speed Internet. Most specialists contact friends and family via Skype, maintain personal pages on Instagram and Twitter, Facebook, where they post amazing beautiful pictures our green planet.

How many times does the ISS orbit the Earth per day?

The speed of rotation of the ship around our planet is 16 times a day. This means that in one day, astronauts can see the sunrise 16 times and watch the sunset 16 times.

The rotation speed of the ISS is 27,700 km/h. This speed prevents the station from falling to Earth.

Where is the ISS currently located and how to see it from Earth

Many people are interested in the question: is it really possible to see a ship with the naked eye? Thanks to the constant orbit and large size, anyone can see the ISS.

You can see a ship in the sky both day and night, but it is recommended to do this at night.

In order to find out the flight time over your city, you need to subscribe to NASA's newsletter. You can monitor the movement of the station in real time thanks to the special Twisst service.

Conclusion

If you see bright object in the sky is not always a meteorite, comet or star. Knowing how to distinguish the ISS with the naked eye, you will definitely not be mistaken in the celestial body.

You can find out more about the ISS news and watch the movement of the object on the official website: http://mks-online.ru.

The International Space Station, ISS (English: International Space Station, ISS) is a manned multi-purpose space research complex.

Participating in the creation of the ISS are: Russia (Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos); USA (US National Aerospace Agency, NASA); Japan (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA), 18 European countries(European Space Agency, ESA); Canada (Canadian Space Agency, CSA), Brazil (Brazilian Space Agency, AEB).

Construction began in 1998.

The first module is "Zarya".

Completion of construction (presumably) - 2012.

The ISS completion date is (presumably) 2020.

The orbital altitude is 350-460 kilometers from the Earth.

Orbital inclination is 51.6 degrees.

The ISS makes 16 revolutions per day.

The weight of the station (at the time of completion of construction) is 400 tons (in 2009 - 300 tons).

Internal space (at the time of completion of construction) - 1.2 thousand cubic meters.

Length (along the main axis along which the main modules are lined up) - 44.5 meters.

Height - almost 27.5 meters.

Width (according to solar panels) - more than 73 meters.

The ISS was visited by the first space tourists (sent by Roscosmos together with by Space Adventures).

In 2007, the flight of the first Malaysian astronaut, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, was organized.

The cost of building the ISS by 2009 amounted to $100 billion.

Flight Control:

the Russian segment is carried out from TsUP-M (TsUP-Moscow, Korolev, Russia);

American segment - from TsUP-X (TsUP-Houston, Houston, USA).

The operation of the laboratory modules included in the ISS is controlled by:

European "Columbus" - Control Center of the European Space Agency (Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany);

Japanese "Kibo" - Mission Control Center of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Tsukuba city, Japan).

By flight of a European automatic cargo ship The Jules Verne ATV, intended to supply the ISS, was jointly managed by the European Space Agency Center (Toulouse, France) together with MCC-M and MCC-X.

Technical coordination of work on the Russian segment of the ISS and its integration with the American segment is carried out by the Council of Chief Designers under the leadership of the President, General Designer of RSC Energia. S.P. Korolev, RAS academician Yu.P. Semenov.
Management of the preparation and launch of elements of the Russian segment of the ISS is carried out by the Interstate Commission for Flight Support and Operation of Orbital Manned Complexes.

According to the existing international agreement, each project participant owns its segments on the ISS.

The leading organization in creating the Russian segment and its integration with the American segment is RSC Energia named after. S.P. Queen, and for the American segment - the Boeing company.

About 200 organizations take part in the production of elements of the Russian segment, including: Russian Academy sciences; experimental mechanical engineering plant RSC Energia named after. S.P. Queen; rocket and space plant GKNPTs im. M.V. Khrunicheva; GNP RKTs "TSSKB-Progress"; Design Bureau of General Mechanical Engineering; RNII of Space Instrumentation; Research Institute of Precision Instruments; RGNII TsPK im. Yu.A. Gagarin.

Russian segment: service module "Zvezda"; functional cargo block "Zarya"; docking compartment "Pirce".

American segment: node module "Unity"; gateway module "Quest"; Laboratory module "Destiny"

Canada has created a manipulator for the ISS on the LAB module - the 17.6-meter robotic arm "Canadarm".

Italy supplies the ISS with so-called Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLM). By 2009, three of them had been made: “Leonardo”, “Raffaello”, “Donatello” (“Leonardo”, “Raffaello”, “Donatello”). These are large cylinders (6.4 x 4.6 meters) with a docking unit. The empty logistics module weighs 4.5 tons and can be loaded with up to 10 tons of experimental equipment and consumables.

Delivery of people to the station is provided by Russian Soyuz and American shuttles (reusable shuttles); cargo is delivered by Russian Progress aircraft and American shuttles.

Japan created its first scientific orbital laboratory, which became the largest module of the ISS - "Kibo" (translated from Japanese as "Hope", the international abbreviation is JEM, Japanese Experiment Module).

At the request of the European Space Agency, a consortium of European aerospace firms built the Columbus research module. It is designed for conducting physical, materials science, medical-biological and other experiments in the absence of gravity. At ESA's request, the "Harmony" module was made, which connects the Kibo and Columbus modules, and also provides their power supply and data exchange.

Additional modules and devices were also made on the ISS: a module of the root segment and gyrodynes on node-1 (Node 1); energy module (SB AS section) on Z1; mobile service system; device for moving equipment and crew; device "B" of the equipment and crew movement system; farms S0, S1, P1, P3/P4, P5, S3/S4, S5, S6.

All ISS laboratory modules have standardized racks for installing blocks with experimental equipment. Over time, the ISS will acquire new units and modules: the Russian segment should be replenished with a scientific and energy platform, a multipurpose research module Enterprise and a second functional cargo block (FGB-2). The “Cupola” node, built in Italy, will be mounted on the Node 3 module. This is a dome with a number of very large windows, through which the inhabitants of the station, like in a theater, will be able to observe the arrival of ships and monitor the work of their colleagues in outer space.

History of the creation of the ISS

Work on the International Space Station began in 1993.

Russia proposed that the United States join forces in implementing manned programs. By that time, Russia had a 25-year history of operating the Salyut and Mir orbital stations, and also had invaluable experience conducting long-term flights, research and developed space infrastructure. But by 1991 the country found itself in difficult economic situation. At the same time, the creators of the Freedom orbital station (USA) also experienced financial difficulties.

March 15, 1993 CEO Roscosmos agency A Yu.N. Koptev and general designer NPO "Energia" Yu.P. Semenov approached NASA head Goldin with a proposal to create an International Space Station.

September 2, 1993 Prime Minister Russian Federation Viktor Chernomyrdin and US Vice President Al Gore signed a “Joint Statement on Cooperation in Space,” which provided for the creation of a joint station. On November 1, 1993, a “Detailed Work Plan for the International Space Station” was signed, and in June 1994, a contract between NASA and Roscosmos agencies “On supplies and services for the Mir station and the International Space Station” was signed.

The initial stage of construction involves the creation of a functionally complete station structure from a limited number of modules. The first to be launched into orbit by the Proton-K launch vehicle was the Zarya functional cargo unit (1998), made in Russia. The second ship to deliver the shuttle was the American docking module Node-1, Unity, with the functional cargo block (December 1998). The third launched was the Russian service module "Zvezda" (2000), which provides station control, crew life support, station orientation and orbit correction. The fourth is the American laboratory module "Destiny" (2001).

The first prime crew of the ISS, which arrived at the station on November 2, 2000 on the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft: William Shepherd (USA), ISS commander, flight engineer 2 of the Soyuz-TM-31 spacecraft; Sergey Krikalev (Russia), flight engineer of the Soyuz-TM-31 spacecraft; Yuri Gidzenko (Russia), ISS pilot, commander of the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft.

The flight duration of the ISS-1 crew was about four months. His return to Earth was accomplished American ship The Space Shuttle, which delivered the crew of the second main expedition to the ISS. The Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft remained a part of the ISS for six months and served as a rescue ship for the crew working on board.

In 2001, the P6 energy module was installed on the Z1 root segment, the Destiny laboratory module, the Quest airlock chamber, the Pirs docking compartment, two telescopic cargo booms, and a remote manipulator were delivered into orbit. In 2002, the station was replenished with three truss structures (S0, S1, P6), two of which are equipped with transport devices for moving the remote manipulator and astronauts during work in outer space.

Construction of the ISS was suspended due to the disaster of the American spaceship Columbia on February 1, 2003, and construction work was resumed in 2006.

In 2001 and twice in 2007, computer failures were recorded in Russian and American segments. In 2006, smoke occurred in the Russian segment of the station. In the fall of 2007, the station crew conducted renovation work solar battery.

New sections of solar panels were delivered to the station. At the end of 2007, the ISS was replenished with two pressurized modules. In October, the Discovery shuttle STS-120 brought the node-2 Harmony connecting module into orbit, which became the main berth for the shuttles.

The European laboratory module Columbus was launched into orbit on the Atlantis ship STS-122 and, with the help of this ship's manipulator, was placed in its regular place (February 2008). Then the Japanese Kibo module was introduced into the ISS (June 2008), its first element was delivered to the ISS by the Endeavor shuttle STS-123 (March 2008).

Prospects for the ISS

According to some pessimistic experts, the ISS is a waste of time and money. They believe that the station has not yet been built, but is already outdated.

However, in implementation long-term program space flights Humanity cannot get to the Moon or Mars without the ISS.

From 2009, the permanent crew of the ISS will be increased to 9 people, and the number of experiments will increase. Russia has planned to conduct 331 experiments on the ISS in the coming years. The European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners have already built a new transport ship - the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which will be launched into the base orbit (300 kilometers high) by the Ariane-5 ES ATV rocket, from where the ATV, using its engines, will go into orbit ISS (400 kilometers above the Earth). The payload of this automatic ship, 10.3 meters long and 4.5 meters in diameter, is 7.5 tons. This will include experimental equipment, food, air, and water for the ISS crew. The first of the ATV series (September 2008) was named "Jules Verne". After docking with the ISS in automatic mode, the ATV can work in its composition for six months, after which the ship is loaded with garbage and flooded in a controlled mode. Pacific Ocean. ATVs are planned to be launched once a year, and at least 7 of them will be built in total. The Japanese H-II automatic truck "Transfer Vehicle" (HTV), launched into orbit by the Japanese H-IIB launch vehicle, which is currently still being developed, will join the ISS program . The total weight of the HTV will be 16.5 tons, of which 6 tons are payload for the station. It will be able to remain docked to the ISS for up to one month.

The outdated shuttles will be retired from flights in 2010, and the new generation will appear no earlier than 2014-2015.
By 2010, Russian manned Soyuz spacecraft will be modernized: first of all, they will replace electronic systems control and communications, which will increase the ship's payload by reducing the weight of electronic equipment. The updated Soyuz will be able to remain on the station for almost a year. Russian side the Clipper spacecraft will be built (according to the plan, the first test manned flight into orbit is 2014, commissioning is 2016). This six-seat reusable winged shuttle is conceived in two versions: with an aggregate compartment (ABO) or an engine compartment (DO). The Clipper, which has ascended into space into a relatively low orbit, will be followed by the interorbital tug Parom. "Ferry" - new development, designed to replace the cargo "Progress" over time. This tug must pull so-called “containers”, cargo “barrels” with a minimum of equipment (4-13 tons of cargo) from a low reference orbit to the ISS orbit, launched into space using Soyuz or Proton. The Parom has two docking ports: one for the container, the second for mooring to the ISS. After the container is launched into orbit, the ferry, using its propulsion system, descends to it, docks with it and lifts it to the ISS. And after unloading the container, Parom lowers it into a lower orbit, where it undocks and independently slows down to burn up in the atmosphere. The tug will have to wait for a new container to deliver it to the ISS.

Official website of RSC Energia: http://www.energia.ru/rus/iss/iss.html

Official website of the Boeing Corporation: http://www.boeing.com

Official website of the flight control center: http://www.mcc.rsa.ru

Official website of the US National Aerospace Agency (NASA): http://www.nasa.gov

Official website of the European Space Agency (ESA): http://www.esa.int/esaCP/index.html

Official website of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA): http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html

Official website of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA): http://www.space.gc.ca/index.html

Official website of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB):