International Space Station

 

          The International Space Station (ISS) is a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. It is a joint project between five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). The ownership and use of the space station is established by intergovernmental treaties and agreements. The station serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which scientific experiments are conducted in fields such as biology, physics, astronomy, and meteorology.

  The ISS orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) and travels at a speed of about 17,500 miles per hour (28,000 kilometers per hour). It completes an orbit of the Earth every 90 minutes, providing astronauts with a unique opportunity to study the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body.

As of 2021, the ISS has been continuously occupied by humans for over 20 years, with rotating crews of astronauts and cosmonauts living and working on the station. The ISS is also used for technology demonstrations and for testing equipment and procedures for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

Working Principle of ISS

   The International Space Station (ISS) is powered by a combination of solar panels and batteries.

Solar Panels: The ISS is equipped with large solar panels that convert the energy from the sun into electricity. The station has two sets of solar arrays, one on the port side and one on the starboard side. These arrays are made up of thousands of individual solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity generated by the solar panels is used to power the ISS's systems, including the lights, computers, and life support systems.

Batteries: The ISS also has a set of batteries that store the electricity generated by the solar panels. These batteries provide a source of electricity when the ISS is in the Earth's shadow, which occurs during orbit when the station is on the night side of the Earth. The batteries also provide a backup power source in case of a solar panel or power distribution failure.

Thermal Control System: The ISS also has a thermal control system that helps to regulate the temperature inside the station. The system uses a combination of radiators, louvers, and insulated blankets to dissipate the heat generated by the station's systems and the astronauts' bodies. The system also uses heaters to keep the station warm when it is in the Earth's shadow.

Life Support System: The ISS also has a life support system that provides the astronauts with breathable air, potable water, and a comfortable living environment. The system uses filters, scrubbers, and other equipment to remove carbon dioxide and other impurities from the air. It also uses a process called water reclamation to recycle the astronauts' urine and sweat into drinking water.

Overall, the ISS is a complex system that relies on a variety of technologies to keep the astronauts safe and comfortable while they conduct scientific research in space

Experiments Conducted on the ISS

        There have been many scientific experiments conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) since it was first occupied in 2000. These experiments cover a wide range of fields including biology, physics, astronomy, and meteorology. Some examples of experiments that have been conducted on the ISS include:

·         Biology: Scientists have used the ISS to study the effects of microgravity on plants, animals, and human cells. For example, experiments have been conducted to study how plants grow in microgravity and how the human body adapts to living in space.

·         Physics: Researchers have used the ISS to study the properties of materials in microgravity. Experiments have been conducted to study the behavior of fluids, gases, and solids in microgravity.

·         Astronomy: The ISS has been used as a platform for observing the Earth and the universe. Experiments have been conducted to study the Earth's atmosphere and climate, as well as to observe distant galaxies and stars.

·         Meteorology: The ISS has been used to study the Earth's weather and climate. Experiments have been conducted to study the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land surface.

·         Human physiology: Experiments have been conducted to study the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body, including changes in muscle and bone mass, changes in vision and cardiovascular system, and how the body adapts to living in microgravity.

·         Technology demonstration: The ISS has also been used to test new technologies that will be used in future space missions. For example, new propulsion systems, space suits, and life support systems have been tested on the ISS.

Overall, the ISS provides a unique platform for scientists to conduct research in microgravity and in space environment. The knowledge gained from these experiments is helping to improve our understanding of the universe and the impact of space on human health and technology.

Life Span of ISS

        The International Space Station (ISS) has a designed lifetime of approximately 30 years, although the station's components were built to last longer. The first module of the ISS was launched in 1998 and the station has been continuously occupied by humans since 2000. As of 2021, the ISS is still active and operational and it is expected to continue to be used for scientific research and technology development for several more years.

The decision to extend the life of the ISS beyond its original design lifetime is based on the ongoing scientific and technical achievements of the program. The funding for the ISS comes from the international partners, NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA and CSA, and is reviewed on a regular basis.

The ISS partners have agreed to continue to support the station until at least 2024, and discussions are ongoing about the possibility of extending the station's lifetime further. However, the future of the ISS beyond 2024 is uncertain, and it ultimately depends on the international partners' decisions regarding funding and the availability of other platforms for scientific research and technology development in space.

Overall, the ISS is a valuable asset for scientific research and technology development, and its continued operation will depend on the ongoing support of the international partners and the ongoing scientific and technical achievements of the program.