Definition: The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station that keeps moving in low earth orbit. It is habitable and the largest artificial satellite that can be seen with the naked eye from Earth. It acts as a factory, observatory and laboratory.
Description: The ISS is made up of different components like solar arrays. Its first component was launched in orbit in 1998 with Proton and Soyuz rockets launching it. It is a work station in space for experiments which is capable to hold large number of crew members at a time. Astronauts are transported between the earth and ISS with rockets. Cargo is transported through the Dragon rocket. It helps individual experiments and research and reduce the need of separate rocket launches and research staff.
Research includes material science, weather, natural disaster etc. Unlike unmanned spacecraft, ISS can send data on demand for the learning purpose of people on earth. This is only possible because of the invariable presence of crew members who replace each other from time to time. Scientists on earth use data sent by crew members of ISS for research.
NASA: Boeing Starliner crew enjoys extended stay on ISS, they're in no 'rush to come home'NASA extends Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams' mission aboard Boeing's Starliner due to technical challenges like thruster failures and helium leaks. Despite setbacks, NASA assures their safety and plans for a return mission. Boeing faces public scrutiny despite mission success, amid comparisons with SpaceX's Crew Dragon. Both companies play pivotal roles in NASA's crewed missions to the ISS, navigating a competitive landscape in commercial space travel.
SpaceX wins $843 million contract from NASA to bring ISS down to its 'watery graveyard': What's the plan?NASA has chosen SpaceX for an $843 million contract to develop a US Deorbit Vehicle, tasked with safely bringing the International Space Station (ISS) out of orbit by 2030. This mission ensures a controlled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, targeting the Pacific Ocean's remote Point Nemo. The decision underscores international efforts to manage the ISS's safe transition after its operational tenure since 2000.
NASA to train ISRO astronauts for ISS tripNASA and ISRO collaborate to train an Indian astronaut for an ISS mission, enhancing Indo-US space partnership through iCET technology. NASA administrator Bill Nelson emphasised joint efforts to advance human spaceflight and benefit humanity. India and the US aim to deepen interoperability in space, provide advanced training for Indian astronauts, and launch the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar to combat climate change.
Empathetic power of fearThe comforting assurance that I'm not the only 'fearful' person may help us go on without throwing in the towel. To quote Urdu poet Aafaaq Kashmiri, 'Ek akela tu hi khaufzada nahin/ Aur bhi log hain tujh se zyada khaayaf' - you're not the only fearful person/ Others are even more fearful than you are.