What is the International Space Station today? A machine of 420 tons and the size of a football field. That's without giant solar panels. The record number of modules is sixteen. For control from the Earth, 3 million lines of program code are needed. The apotheosis of the scientific, design and engineering thought of mankind flies at an altitude of about 400 km at a speed of about 8 km/sec. For a day - sixteen turns around the Earth! And not a single day since the start of operation without a crew.
The first brick in the foundation of the ISS was laid exactly twenty years ago, when Russia launched the Zarya functional cargo block into orbit. And two weeks later, the American shuttle Endeavor docked the Unity module (Node-1) to the Zarya. In orbit, a construction site unfolded, the analogues of which history did not know.
The ISS has become a truly global project. It united the advanced achievements and promising technologies of Russia, the USA, the leading European powers, Canada and Japan. Representatives of 18 states visited the station.
And no matter what political storms rage on Earth, everything is clear in space: there is a specific expedition, specific work. There is one crew, one team. Nobody is interested in disagreements. This can immediately affect the safety of the flight and the implementation of the program. During a space flight, we do not depend on politics, astronauts and astronauts say.
"Today, in order to move forward, it is necessary to fully use the scientific and technical backlog of the ISS for the implementation of new large-scale research programs for the study and exploration of outer space, especially deep space and manned astronautics," said in a greeting to the participants of the scientific and practical conference dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the ISS, Russian President Vladimir Putin. The text of the greeting was read yesterday at the conference by the head of Roskosmos, Dmitry Rogozin.
Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev flew in the first crew of "builders" on Endeavour. Even then the hero Soviet Union and Hero of Russia. For him it was the fourth space flight. Including the second - on the American shuttle.
How it was? On the eve of the anniversary of the ISS, an RG correspondent spoke with Sergey Krikalev, executive director for manned space programs of the state corporation Roscosmos.
Sergei Konstantinovich, did you open the hatch of the station together with the captain of the Endeavor, Robert Kabana?
Sergey Krikalev: Yes. They entered, or rather, swam together. They opened the hatch together.
There was a rather tricky, complicated procedure for pulling modules together. It didn't go quite the way we expected. But, by the way, these are the situations that usually occur in flight and which are worked out to the details on Earth. We checked all the systems, tightness, made sure that not only the locks were tightened, but also the hooks of the docking mechanism. And he pulled objects with a force of several tons! Only then, having equalized the pressure, opened the hatches. It was first "Node-1", and then our FGB.
Astronauts say that every space station has its own unique smell. What did the ISS smell like?
Sergey Krikalev: It was the smell of plastic, metal. As usual, when the module on Earth is made in almost sterile conditions.
Bill Shepherd then said: "What else do we need? There is water. There is light. There is a toilet. That's it, life has begun." We understood: we flew to our home
Who turned on the light first?
Sergey Krikalev: When we entered Node-1, the light was already there - via a command radio link from Earth. And then the American crew members added additional lighting. When we entered our FGB module, I already turned on the light there.
What were the risks of the first space "builders"? Earlier, at the age of 27, you participated in the development of a method for docking with the "dead" Salyut station. Was the experience helpful?
Sergey Krikalev: Specifically, of course, not here. Here the approach was different. But I will say this: experience with space technology is always useful. For example, we had to change one of the devices, which, according to the test results of the first days, showed that it did not work very well. This is where the experience of working at the Mir station came in handy, because the replacement of such devices was carried out there more than once. It was familiar work.
The ISS project was made for 15 years, and the station has been flying for twenty. How much longer can she last?
Photo: Infographics "RG"/Leonid Kuleshov/ Natalia Yachmennikova
Sergey Krikalev: First it was determined: until 2020. Now all partners have agreed - until 2024. And there is a discussion of extending the operation of the station until 2028. I think she can definitely serve until 2028, and then tests will show.
And when will the Russian crew start flying again with three people?
Sergey Krikalev: When the next module arrives. The Russian segment of the ISS should be replenished with three more modules - laboratory, nodal and scientific and energy. The multifunctional laboratory module will go into orbit first. It was supposed to be launched some time ago, but due to technical delays, unfortunately, this time has shifted. Therefore, it makes no sense to send more astronauts as long as there are no additional jobs.
Can our new modules become the basis for a Russian independent orbital station?
Sergey Krikalev: Theoretically, they can. But, from a practical point of view, international interaction with partners, when everyone performs functions that are useful for everyone, as life has shown, is the most effective. It is possible to build your own small "subsistence economy", but it is more efficient to continue flying "in line-up".
Future for international stations?
Sergey Krikalev: At least the ISS will definitely continue to fly the way it flies. If it becomes necessary to separate or build independent stations, this can probably be provided. But this will not be the best option.
What have Americans learned from us during this time? And what have we learned from the Americans?
Sergey Krikalev: When you do a project within one agency, it's one story. And when you have to interact with others, build relationships, make decisions and ensure the safety of the station together, it's not such an easy thing. Different skill, different skill. And thanks to the joint work, we have mastered this skill.
From the history of the ISS
Here they are, the first ones: Soyuz TM-31 commander Yuri Gidzenko, ISS commander William Shepherd, flight engineer Sergei Krikalev (left to right). Photo: REUTERS
In 2003, construction in orbit froze: on February 1, the American Columbia crashed, killing seven crew members. Shuttle flights have been suspended. The entire burden of maintaining the station's operability fell on the shoulders of the Russian spacecraft Soyuz and Progress. The first test flight after the tragedy took place in July 2005.
Now the 57th long-term expedition is already working at the station. And the ISS itself has been transformed beyond recognition and "sounded out" in size.
Seven space tourists have visited the ISS.
On August 10, 2003, everyone was struck by the "ground-orbital" wedding: Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko married Ekaterina Dmitrieva from Texas, who was on Earth, in flight. During the ceremony, the groom said his "yes" at an altitude of 400 kilometers above the Earth, and the bride said "yes" while watching her beloved via video link. However, the groom was dressed as it should be: on the cargo Progress, in addition to fuel, food and water, the commander was given a tailcoat and a wedding ring in a personal package.
What scientific experiments are carried out on the ISS?
There are about twenty areas of work. Among them - technology, biotechnology. Biological experiments are underway to grow protein crystals. There are works related to obtaining pure materials. Specially pure medicines. Under conditions of weightlessness, since there is no such turbulence as on Earth, there is no temperature convection, it is possible to very cleanly separate substances into fractions. This is very important for the production of medicines.
One of the most unique experiments is the Plasma Crystal. This is an interesting Russian-German experiment with dusty plasma, that is, plasma with macroscopic particles. Many scientists believe that the discovery of stable three-dimensional plasma crystals is a good candidate for the Nobel Prize.
What is the meaning of such research in space? According to experts, there are three significant factors. First of all, weightlessness and vacuum. And another point of view: some things cannot be seen "face to face" on Earth, but can only be seen from space.
The ISS flight control is carried out from two Centers: the Russian segment - from MCC-M in Korolyov near Moscow, the American segment - from MCC-X in Houston. The work of the laboratory modules - the European "Columbus" and the Japanese "Kibo" - is controlled respectively by the Control Centers of the European Space Agency in Oberpfaffenhofen and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in Tsukuba.
The Russian and American MCCs are connected by all necessary communication lines, and between them there is a round-the-clock exchange of information. During the ISS flight, due to emergency circumstances in the United States, all control of the station was transferred to the MCC near Moscow three times. The first time - because of the threat of terrorist attacks in connection with the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The second was on October 3, 2002, when Hurricane Lilly passed through Texas. The third - from September 22 to September 27, 2005 due to Hurricane Rita.
The Russian side has not yet had a reason to transfer control to MCC-X.
They were the first
On November 2, 2000, the first long-term crew arrived at the ISS on the Russian manned spacecraft Soyuz. There were three in the team: the American station commander William Shepherd, the pilot and commander of the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft Yuri Gidzenko (then also a Hero of Russia, who had 179 days of work in space behind him), flight engineer Sergei Krikalev. On the eve of the anniversary, Yury Gidzenko, now First Deputy Head of Flights of the Russian Segment of the ISS, told the RG correspondent about how the "firsts" settled in the station.
Yuri Pavlovich, do you remember the first day?
Yuri Gidzenko: Still would. I started to open the hatch from the side of the Soyuz spacecraft towards the station. The locks opened, but the ship's hatch did not move away, it was "sucked in". In short, they pulled him off together with Sergey. He flew into the station first, then Shepherd. Behind them is me.
First impression of the station?
Yuri Gidzenko: Compared to the transport ship in which we stayed for two days, the station seemed very spacious. Although there were a lot of different packages: with equipment, spare appliances, food, water, etc. First of all, they turned on the light, reactivated the system for distributing and heating water, and reactivated the toilet. Bill Shepherd then said: "What else do we need? There is water. There is light. There is a toilet. That's it, life has begun." We understood: we flew to our home.
Then they prepared video cameras, docked television and electrical connectors to provide a TV report. It was one of the first jobs on the ISS.
Were there any difficulties?
Yuri Gidzenko: Not without it. The most difficult thing was to establish the joint operation of Russian and American equipment on board the station: there were different voltages. To revive the station, it was necessary to perform a large number of specific works. We activated the main nodes of the life support system and reactivated all kinds of station equipment, laptop computers, workwear, office supplies, cables and electrical equipment ... We had to turn on all the systems, test them, check their functioning in various modes. If there are any failures or emergency situations, inconsistencies - together with the Earth, eliminate all this, stop it.
We have been setting the stage for a long stay in space and extensive international scientific research for at least the next 15 years. Responsibility skyrocketed.
They say that the docking of the Progress cargo spacecraft with the ISS turned into a real adventure?
Yuri Gidzenko: There was everything: an unexpected "swing" of the truck, switching to manual control mode, fogging of the camera lens, the inability to control the position of the ship relative to the ISS ... We worked together with Sergey: one watched the ship through the window, the other controlled the rendezvous.
In fact, the largest experiment was carried out in orbit during the first manned expedition to the ISS?
Yuri Gidzenko: I think yes. Indeed, a lot has been done for the first time.
Is it true that even the first table at the new station was made from ... containers from oxygen bombs?
Yuri Gidzenko: Is it true.
Have you already had to accept other crews?
Yuri Gidzenko: Certainly. Shuttles arrived, our trucks. On the shuttle that brought the second expedition - it was the crew of Yuri Usachev - we returned back to Earth.
Are the cabins of astronauts on the ISS really different from ours?
Yuri Gidzenko: I would not say. Maybe they are a little more. But this is unprincipled: in the cabin, the sleeping bag is tied vertically. "Flew" into it, closed your eyes - you sleep. But in our cabins there are portholes: before going to bed, I opened the curtain a little, looked at the Earth. Beautiful.
Question about stations and sanctions: can there be boundary pillars in space?
Yuri Gidzenko: What are the pillars? We are, as they say, in the same boat, in the same ship. The space station is not a car: you can’t put it on the side of the road and you won’t get out of it.
Do you think that based on their segment of the ISS, the Americans can disconnect something and do something on their own?
Yuri Gidzenko: No. They do not have such an opportunity: all their modules are very tightly tied to each other. They themselves are not independent. But we have such an opportunity. If we are talking about the birthday of the ISS, we are talking about FGB Zarya. This is a self-sufficient module that has its own "brains" and its own power supply system. In the same way, we can talk about the Zvezda service module. And in the same way about the multifunctional laboratory module, which, God forbid, will fly in a year.
What do you think is the future of Russian manned cosmonautics?
Yuri Gidzenko: If we take a very distant perspective, then this, of course, is Mars. But before that, we must work out all the technologies on the moon. And before you fly to the Moon, you need to complete a very serious task - to create a superheavy carrier. This is how the chain is built.
Do you want to track the ISS online and be ready to watch the station in time? But how do you know when the ISS will fly over your house or garden? Here are the best online services for this.
First, NASA has a Quick and Easy Observation website where you simply find your country and city, and then the date, local time, duration of observation, and ISS approach data are displayed so that you do not miss the station in the sky. True, there is one drawback - not for all countries and cities it is possible to determine the online coordinates of the ISS. So, for example, for Russia only big cities: St. Petersburg, Moscow, Volgograd, Tver, Tula, Samara, Stavropol, Pskov, Krasnodar, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Rostov, Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok and other cities. In other words, if you live in a small town, you can only rely on the information for the city closest to you.
Secondly, the Heavens Above website is also an excellent resource for finding out when the ISS, as well as all sorts of other satellites, is flying overhead in the sky. Unlike the NASA website, Sky-Above allows you to enter your exact latitude and longitude. Thus, if you live in a remote area, you can get exact time and location to start looking for satellites on your own. The site also offers registration to visitors to expand the possibilities and convenience of its use.
Thirdly, Spaceweather has its own Satellite Page which provides information to the US and Canada. But you can also use this link for other countries. Interestingly, you can set the calculation of coordinates not only for the ISS, but also, for example, for the Hubble telescope or satellites. For the countries of the North American continent, you only need to enter the ZIP code and select the object. For other continents, you select Country - Region/State - Locality. For example, I managed to find the coordinates of satellites and the ISS for Moscow Khimki. However, this site is often overloaded, as it is very popular with amateur observers.
There is also this very cool ISS movement monitoring from Google. You cannot set the data for calculating the time and coordinates of the ISS location, but you have the opportunity to monitor the movement of the station online.
The flight path of the International Space Station in real time can also be tracked on a special page of the official website of the Russian Space Flight Control Center (you will need to install the Java (TM) plugin for this). In addition to the flight path, you can learn about the orientation of the International Space Station, look into the archive of ISS flights and much more.
Additionally, you can be notified on Twitter when the space station passes over you. To do this, use
On the first player, the image quality is better than on the second. Expand it to full screen, after half a minute the picture will become clear with excellent detail. Sharpness can improve after half a minute on the second video player. Sometimes any of these webcams can be out of focus.
NASA TV and NASA TV's Media Channel
Roscosmos broadcasts
If the page was opened before the start of the live broadcast, and when the time of the live broadcast comes, the video player cannot connect to it, you should reload the page.
Description of video channels
Broadcast from ISS webcams online
The live broadcast is conducted from several NASA webcams located outside and inside the Station. On the second video player sometimes turn on the sound. Short-term interruptions in signal transmission are often observed. When players freeze with broadcasting, a simple page refresh usually helps.
NASA TV and NASA TV's Media Channel
Broadcast of scientific and information programs on English language, as well as some important events on the ISS online: exits to outer space, video conferencing with the Earth in the language of the participants.
Roscosmos broadcasts
Interesting videos offline, as well as significant events related to the ISS, online: launches spaceships, docking and undocking, spacewalks, return of crews to Earth.
Orbit, location and parameters of the ISS
The current position of the International Space Station is indicated on the map by its symbol. The current ISS parameters are displayed in the upper left corner: coordinates, orbit altitude, movement speed, time to sunrise or sunset.
Legend for Station parameters (default units):
- Lat: latitude in degrees;
- lng: longitude in degrees;
- alt: altitude in kilometers;
- V: speed in km/h;
- Time before sunrise or sunset at the Station (on Earth, see the border of chiaroscuro on the map).
The speed in km/h, of course, is impressive, but its value in km/s is more illustrative. To change the speed unit, click on the gears in the upper left corner of the map. In the window that opens, on the top panel, click on the icon with one gear and in the list of options, instead of km/h select km/s. You can also change other map options here.
In total, we see three conditional lines on the map, on one of which there is an icon for the current position of the ISS - this is the current trajectory. The other two lines indicate the next two orbits, over the points of which, located at the same longitude with the current position of the Station, it will fly over, respectively, in 90 and 180 minutes.
The scale of the map is changed with the buttons «+» And «-» in the upper left corner or normal scrolling when the cursor is on the map surface.
What can be seen through the ISS webcams
The American space agency NASA is broadcasting online from the ISS webcams. Often the image is transmitted from cameras aimed at the Earth, and during the ISS flyby over the daytime zone one can observe clouds, cyclones, anticyclones, in clear weather earth's surface, the surface of the seas and oceans. Details of the landscape can be clearly seen when the broadcasting webcam is directed vertically to the Earth, but sometimes it can be clearly seen when it is directed to the horizon.
During the flight of the ISS over the continents in clear weather, river beds, lakes, snow caps on mountain ranges, and the sandy surface of deserts are clearly visible. Islands in the seas and oceans are easier to observe in completely cloudless weather, since from the height of the ISS they can be confused with clouds. It is much easier to detect and observe atoll rings on the surface of the world's oceans, which are clearly visible even with little cloud cover.
When one of the video players broadcasts an image from a webcam aimed vertically at the Earth, pay attention to how the broadcast picture moves in relation to the satellite on the map. This will make it easier to catch individual objects for observation: islands, lakes, riverbeds, mountain ranges, Straits.
Sometimes the image is transmitted online from webcams directed inside the Station, then we can observe the American segment of the ISS, the actions of the astronauts, and the experiments being carried out.
When something happens at the Station important events such as dockings, crew changes, spacewalks, live streaming with audio connection. At this time, we can hear the conversations of the crew members of the Station among themselves, with the Mission Control Center or with the relief crew on the ship approaching for docking.
Sometimes sound accompaniment is connected without a reason, including during the disconnection of video communication with the Earth.
The ISS makes a complete revolution around the Earth in 90 minutes, once crossing the night and day zones of the planet. Where the Station is at the moment, look at the map with the orbit above.
And here is what you can see from space in the night zone of the Earth:
- If the webcam is pointed at the horizon, the most bright stars and Luna.
- During a thunderstorm, lightning flashes are observed.
- In cloudless weather, the lights * of cities and other settlements are visible.
* To see the city lights, you need to expand the player with online broadcast to full screen. Lights on Earth will move across the screen, as opposed to fixed static like stars. On the minimized screen, the lights are also visible, but not so colorful and not in such quantity.
Images are cropped from screenshots of the first video player with NASA's online broadcast, expanded to full screen.
Watch the International Space Station from Earth. See interesting ones made from the NASA video players presented here.
In between observations of the Earth from space, try to catch and decompose (rather complicated, there are rules of the game).
International Space Station - result joint work specialists from a number of fields from sixteen countries of the world (Russia, USA, Canada, Japan, states that are members of the European community). The grandiose project, which in 2013 celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the start of its implementation, embodies all the achievements of the technical thought of our time. An impressive part of the material about the near and far space and some terrestrial phenomena and processes of scientists is provided by the international space station. The ISS, however, was not built in one day; its creation was preceded by almost thirty years of astronautical history.
How it all began
The forerunners of the ISS were Soviet technicians and engineers. Work on the Almaz project began at the end of 1964. Scientists were working on a manned orbital station, which could accommodate 2-3 astronauts. It was assumed that "Diamond" will serve for two years and all this time will be used for research. According to the project, the main part of the complex was the OPS - manned orbital station. It housed the working areas of the crew members, as well as the household compartment. The OPS was equipped with two hatches for spacewalks and dropping special capsules with information to Earth, as well as a passive docking station.
The efficiency of the station is largely determined by its energy reserves. The developers of Almaz found a way to increase them many times over. The delivery of astronauts and various cargo to the station was carried out by transport supply ships (TKS). They, among other things, were equipped with an active docking system, a powerful energy resource, and an excellent traffic control system. TKS was able to supply the station with energy for a long time, as well as manage the entire complex. All subsequent similar projects, including the international space station, were created using the same method of saving OPS resources.
First
Rivalry with the United States forced Soviet scientists and engineers to work as quickly as possible, so another orbital station, Salyut, was created in the shortest possible time. She was taken into space in April 1971. The basis of the station is the so-called working compartment, which includes two cylinders, small and large. Inside the smaller diameter there was a control center, sleeping places and recreation areas, storage and eating. The larger cylinder contained scientific equipment, simulators, without which no such flight can do, and there was also a shower cabin and a toilet isolated from the rest of the room.
Each next Salyut was somewhat different from the previous one: it was equipped with the latest equipment, had design features that corresponded to the development of technology and knowledge of that time. These orbital stations marked the beginning of a new era in the study of space and terrestrial processes. "Salutes" were the base on which were held in in large numbers research in medicine, physics, industry and Agriculture. It is also difficult to overestimate the experience of using the orbital station, which was successfully applied during the operation of the next manned complex.
"World"
The process of accumulating experience and knowledge was a long one, the result of which was the international space station. "Mir" - a modular manned complex - its next stage. The so-called block principle of creating a station was tested on it, when for some time the main part of it increases its technical and research power through the addition of new modules. It will subsequently be “borrowed” by the international space station. Mir became a model of our country's technical and engineering prowess and actually provided it with one of the leading roles in the creation of the ISS.
Work on the construction of the station began in 1979, and it was delivered into orbit on February 20, 1986. During the entire existence of the Mir, various studies were carried out on it. The necessary equipment was delivered as part of additional modules. The Mir station allowed scientists, engineers and researchers to gain invaluable experience in using this scale. In addition, it has become a place of peaceful international interaction: in 1992, an Agreement on Cooperation in Space was signed between Russia and the United States. It actually began to be implemented in 1995, when the American Shuttle went to the Mir station.
Completion of the flight
The Mir station has become the site of a variety of studies. Here they analyzed, refined and opened data in the field of biology and astrophysics, space technology and medicine, geophysics and biotechnology.
The station ended its existence in 2001. The reason for the decision to flood it was the development of an energy resource, as well as some accidents. Various versions of the object's rescue were put forward, but they were not accepted, and in March 2001 the Mir station was submerged in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Creation of the international space station: preparatory stage
The idea of creating the ISS arose at a time when no one had yet thought of flooding the Mir. The indirect reason for the emergence of the station was the political and financial crisis in our country and economic problems in the United States. Both powers realized their inability to cope alone with the task of creating an orbital station. In the early nineties, a cooperation agreement was signed, one of the points of which was the international space station. The ISS as a project united not only Russia and the United States, but also, as already noted, fourteen more countries. Simultaneously with the selection of participants, the approval of the ISS project took place: the station will consist of two integrated units, American and Russian, and will be completed in orbit in a modular way similar to Mir.
"Dawn"
The first international space station began its existence in orbit in 1998. On November 20, with the help of a Proton rocket, a Russian-made functional cargo block Zarya was launched. It became the first segment of the ISS. Structurally, it was similar to some of the modules of the Mir station. It is interesting that the American side proposed to build the ISS directly in orbit, and only the experience of Russian colleagues and the example of Mir persuaded them towards the modular method.
Inside, Zarya is equipped with various instruments and equipment, docking, power supply, and control. An impressive amount of equipment, including fuel tanks, radiators, cameras and solar panels, is placed on the outside of the module. All external elements are protected from meteorites by special screens.
Module by module
On December 5, 1998, the shuttle Endeavor with the American Unity docking module headed for Zarya. Two days later, the Unity was docked to the Zarya. Further, the international space station “acquired” the Zvezda service module, which was also manufactured in Russia. Zvezda was a modernized base unit of the Mir station.
The docking of the new module took place on July 26, 2000. From that moment on, Zvezda took over control of the ISS, as well as all life support systems, and it became possible for the cosmonaut team to stay permanently on the station.
Transition to manned mode
The first crew of the International Space Station was delivered by Soyuz TM-31 on November 2, 2000. It included V. Shepherd - the expedition commander, Yu. Gidzenko - the pilot, - the flight engineer. From that moment, a new stage in the operation of the station began: it switched to a manned mode.
Composition of the second expedition: James Voss and Susan Helms. She changed her first crew in early March 2001.
and earthly phenomena
The International Space Station is a venue for various activities. The task of each crew is, among other things, to collect data on some space processes, study the properties of certain substances under weightless conditions, and so on. Scientific research that are carried out on the ISS can be presented as a generalized list:
- observation of various remote space objects;
- study of cosmic rays;
- observation of the Earth, including the study of atmospheric phenomena;
- study of the features of physical and bioprocesses under weightlessness;
- testing of new materials and technologies in outer space;
- medical research, including the creation of new drugs, testing diagnostic methods in conditions of weightlessness;
- production of semiconductor materials.
Future
Like any other object subjected to such a heavy load and so intensively exploited, the ISS will sooner or later cease to function at the required level. Initially, it was assumed that its “shelf life” would end in 2016, that is, the station was given only 15 years. However, already from the first months of its operation, assumptions began to sound that this period was somewhat underestimated. Today, hopes are expressed that the international space station will operate until 2020. Then, probably, the same fate awaits her as the Mir station: the ISS will be flooded in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Today, the international space station, the photo of which is presented in the article, successfully continues to orbit around our planet. From time to time in the media you can find references to new research done on board the station. The ISS is also the only object of space tourism: only at the end of 2012 it was visited by eight amateur astronauts.
It can be assumed that this type of entertainment will only gain strength, since the Earth from space is a bewitching view. And no photograph can be compared with the opportunity to contemplate such beauty from the window of the international space station.
The International Space Station (ISS), the successor to the Soviet station Mir, is celebrating its 10th anniversary since its inception. The agreement on the establishment of the ISS was signed on January 29, 1998 in Washington by representatives of Canada, the governments of the member states of the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan, Russia and the United States.
Work on the International Space Station began in 1993 .
March 15, 1993 Director General of the RCA Yu.N. Koptev and General Designer of NPO "ENERGIA" Yu.P. Semenov approached the head of NASA, D. Goldin, with a proposal to create the International Space Station.
On September 2, 1993, the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.S. Chernomyrdin and US Vice President A. Gore signed a "Joint Statement on Cooperation in Space", which, among other things, provides for the creation of a joint station. In its development, RSA and NASA developed and on November 1, 1993 signed the "Detailed Work Plan for the International Space Station". This made it possible in June 1994 to sign a contract between NASA and RSA "On supplies and services for the Mir station and the International Space Station."
Taking into account certain changes at the joint meetings of the Russian and American sides in 1994, the ISS had the following structure and organization of work:
In addition to Russia and the USA, Canada, Japan and the countries of European cooperation are participating in the creation of the station;
The station will consist of 2 integrated segments (Russian and American) and will be gradually assembled in orbit from separate modules.
The construction of the ISS in near-Earth orbit began on November 20, 1998 with the launch of the Zarya functional cargo block.
Already on December 7, 1998, the American Unity connecting module, delivered into orbit by the Endeavor shuttle, was docked to it.
On December 10, hatches to the new station were opened for the first time. The first to enter it were Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev and American astronaut Robert Cabana.
On July 26, 2000, the Zvezda service module was introduced into the ISS, which at the station deployment stage became its base unit, the main place for the life and work of the crew.
In November 2000, the crew of the first long-term expedition arrived at the ISS: William Shepherd (commander), Yuri Gidzenko (pilot) and Sergey Krikalev (flight engineer). Since then, the station has been permanently inhabited.
During the deployment of the station, 15 main expeditions and 13 visiting expeditions visited the ISS. At present, the crew of Expedition 16 is at the station - the first female ISS commander, American, Peggy Whitson, ISS flight engineers, Russian Yuri Malenchenko and American Daniel Tani.
Under a separate agreement with ESA, six flights of European astronauts were carried out to the ISS: Claudie Haignere (France) - in 2001, Roberto Vittori (Italy) - in 2002 and 2005, Frank de Winne (Belgium) - in 2002, Pedro Duque (Spain) - in 2003, Andre Kuipers (Netherlands) - in 2004.
A new page in the commercial use of space was opened after the flights to the Russian segment of the ISS of the first space tourists - American Denis Tito (in 2001) and South African Mark Shuttleworth (in 2002). For the first time non-professional astronauts visited the station.