The International Space Station (ISS) is an incredible feat of human engineering that has been continuously inhabited for over 20 years. It is the largest and most complex space station ever built, and is a unique platform for research and exploration. Here are the top 10 facts about the ISS:
10- 2nd Brightest Object in Sky
Photo Credit: Universe Today
The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest human-made object in low Earth orbit. It orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 205 miles and circles the globe every 92 minutes. The ISS is visible with the naked eye; it is the second brightest object in the night sky, just after the Moon. The ISS has a pressurized volume of 32,333 cubic feet, making it the size of a football field. It has been continuously inhabited since November 2000, making it the longest-running human spaceflight mission in history.
9- Two Bathrooms
The ISS offers two bathrooms, one designed for American astronauts and one designed for Russian astronauts. The bathrooms feature special designs and materials to help the astronauts keep clean and safe in the harsh environment of space. Both bathrooms are equipped with a vacuum-type toilet with many handlebars for astronauts to hold. Meanwhile, neither of the bathrooms is equipped with a sink, shower, or other amenities. The ISS also has a unique air circulation system that helps to keep the air clean and safe for astronauts. This system helps to remove any contaminants and keep the air inside the ISS fresh and healthy.
8- Weapons On Board
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Cosmonauts keep a multipurpose gun on board the ISS for a variety of potential uses. This gun features three barrels and is capable of shooting flares, rifle rounds, or shotgun rounds. It also features fold-out devices which can double as shovels or machetes. The reason why cosmonauts have kept this gun on board the ISS is unclear. It is believed to have originated from the incident in 1965 when some cosmonauts returning from space were beset by aggressive bears. It is speculated that the gun may be intended for use in the case of unwelcome aliens attacking the ISS, or for other protection purposes.
7- Pizza Delivery
Photo Credit: Mlive
The International Space Station (ISS) has delivered pizza to astronauts in 2001. Pizza Hut was the first company to send pizza to the ISS. The pizza was delivered to the ISS by a Russian Progress spacecraft. Pizza Hut paid €790,000 to become the first company in the world to deliver a pizza in space. Russian astronaut Yuri usachov received the pizza Astronauts on the ISS were able to enjoy the cheese pizza while they are in space. The pizza was frozen and vacuum sealed before it was to the ISS. Once it arrived, the astronauts use a special oven to heat the pizza up. The pizza then consumed in the form of small cubes.
6- Astronauts Need To Exercise
Photo Credit: PC Mag
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station must exercise for two and a half hours each day to counteract the effects of weightlessness. They use several exercise devices, including a stationary bicycle, a treadmill, and a weightlifting machine. They also use resistive exercises, such as stretching with elastic bands or pushing against a stationary object. This helps to prevent muscle and bone loss, maintain body shape, and stay healthy in space. Astronauts must also carefully monitor their food and fluid intake to ensure they stay healthy. They also need to take regular naps to help them stay alert and focused. Finally, they must take regular medical tests to monitor their physical and mental health. Exercise, nutrition, and rest are essential for astronauts to stay healthy during their mission.
5- Built By Many Countries
Photo Credit: Modern Diplomacy
The International Space Station (ISS) is a multinational project involving 15 countries. It was constructed in 1998 and has been continuously inhabited since 2000. It is the largest and most complex structure ever built in space. The ISS is a habitable artificial satellite orbiting Earth at an altitude of approximately 250 miles. It is a unique research laboratory where astronauts from all around the world can conduct experiments in the environment of microgravity.
The ISS serves as a platform for a variety of experiments in the fields of biology, physics, astronomy and meteorology. It has a total mass of approximately 455 tons and is powered by solar arrays that generate electricity. It is equipped with a variety of communication systems that allow it to keep in touch with ground control stations around the world. The ISS has been visited by over 200 people from 15 different countries and has been used for over 3,000 experiments.
4- Most Expensive Single Object
The International Space Station (ISS) is the most expensive single object ever built. It cost over $150 billion to construct and maintain. It is the largest artificial structure ever created in space, measuring over 108 meters long and 78 meters wide. The station is also used to monitor Earth’s climate and environment, detect natural disasters. Also to help evaluate the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body. The ISS is the largest international cooperative program in human history, and it is a testament to the power of human collaboration.
3- No Laundry
Photo Credit: ESA
Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) are unable to use a washing machine due to the lack of water aboard the station. Furthermore, it is far too expensive to transport clothing to the ISS, costing between $5,000 to $10,000 per pound of cargo. As a result, astronauts are unable to bring their dirty laundry back to Earth with them, as there is not enough space in the shuttle. Therefore, they must wear the same clothes for up to four days before changing. To dispose of used clothes and other waste, Russia periodically launches unmanned spacecraft to the ISS. After unloading the supplies, the astronauts fill the spacecraft with trash and dirty clothes. Then it is undocked and sent back to Earth, where it is burned up in the skies above the Pacific ocean.
2- Sunrise Every 90 minutes
The International Space Station (ISS) orbits the Earth every 90 minutes. Which gives its crew a unique view of the sun rising and setting. As the ISS passes over each part of the planet, the crew aboard have the opportunity to witness a sunrise 16 times each day. The sun appears to rise in the west, due to the ISS’ orbital velocity, and then sets again in the east. This experience has been described as breathtaking and awe-inspiring by many of the astronauts who have been lucky enough to witness it. The sun appears much larger in the sky while in space, due to the lack of atmosphere to obscure it.
This can be a daunting experience for astronauts who are unaccustomed to the view, but also a remarkable one. The ISS crew also have the chance to watch the Earth’s curvature, which appears as a beautiful blue horizon in front of the sun. As the ISS continues its orbit, the sun will dip below the horizon and then reappear again, creating a continuous cycle of sunrise and sunset. It is a truly spectacular experience that will stay with the astronauts for a lifetime.
1- It’s Falling
Astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) appear weightless despite gravity being present inside. Because the speed at which the station is falling is almost equal to the speed at which it is moving around the Earth. The ISS is located between 200 and 250 miles above the Earth. Where gravity is about 90 percent as strong as on Earth. As the ISS is falling around the Earth, it is not crashing into the planet. This is because the speed at which it is falling is almost the same as the speed at which it is moving round the Earth. Therefore it just follows the curve of the planet.
This is the same thing happening with the Moon, which is also falling around Earth. Thus, since the speed at which the ISS is falling is almost equal to the speed at which it is moving around the Earth. The astronauts aren’t pulled in any particular direction, leaving them to float in a weightless environment.
