International Space Station

Front

What is the International Space Station (ISS)?

Back

The ISS is a large spacecraft in low Earth orbit where astronauts from around the world live and work. It serves as a home and a place for scientific research.

Front

How big is the ISS compared to familiar objects?

Back

The ISS is about the size of a football field.

Front

How long did it take to complete the ISS?

Back

It took 13 years to completely finish the ISS.

Front

What are the main components of the ISS called?

Back

The parts that make up the ISS are called modules.

Front

What is the speed of the ISS?

Back

The ISS travels at a speed of 17,150 mph.

Front

What allows other spacecraft to visit the ISS?

Back

Docking ports are used to allow other spacecraft to visit the ISS.

Front

What is the purpose of the ISS?

Back

The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory where scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, and other fields.

Front

Who operates the ISS?

Back

The ISS is operated by a partnership of space agencies including NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada).

Front

What is microgravity?

Back

Microgravity is a condition in which objects appear to be weightless and experience very little gravitational pull, as experienced on the ISS.

Front

How do astronauts get to the ISS?

Back

Astronauts travel to the ISS using spacecraft that launch from Earth and dock with the station.