The International Space Station over Earth
Explanation:
The International Space Station is the largest object ever constructed by humans
in space.
The
station perimeter extends over roughly the area of
a
football field, although only a small fraction of this is composed of modules
habitable by humans.
The station is so large that it could not be
launched all at once --
it continues to be built
built piecemeal.
To function, the
ISS needs huge
trusses, some over 15 meters long and with masses over 10,000 kilograms, to
keep it rigid and to route
electricity and liquid
coolants.
Pictured
above, the immense
space station was photographed
from the now-retired
space shuttle Atlantis after a week-long stay in 2010.
Across the image top hangs part of a bright blue
Earth,
in stark contrast to the darkness of
interstellar space across the bottom.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
