List of International Space Station expeditions

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Expedition 1 insignia

Expedition 2 insignia

ISS Expedition 3 Patch

Expedition 4 insignia

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Expedition 6 insignia

International Space Station Expeditions are crewed missions to the International Space Station (ISS), a space environment research laboratory involving multiple international partners. Each expedition is a long-duration mission that typically lasts approximately six months, though some have been shorter or longer. The ISS expeditions are crucial for conducting scientific research in microgravity, testing new space technologies, and fostering international cooperation in space exploration.

Overview

The concept of ISS expeditions began with the launch of the first module of the ISS, Zarya, in 1998. The first crewed mission, Expedition 1, launched on October 31, 2000, marking the start of continuous human presence in space. Since then, expeditions have been conducted back-to-back, with crew members being replaced via Soyuz spacecraft and, more recently, SpaceX Crew Dragon and Boeing CST-100 Starliner missions.

Each expedition involves a mix of international astronauts and cosmonauts primarily from the space agencies of the United States (NASA), Russia (Roscosmos), Europe (ESA), Japan (JAXA), and Canada (CSA). Crew members conduct a variety of experiments in life sciences, physical sciences, Earth observation, and education.

Expedition Structure

Expeditions typically begin with the departure of the previous expedition's crew, except for direct handovers facilitated by the arrival of new crew members before the departure of the outgoing ones. This structure ensures that there is no gap in the human presence on the ISS.

The crew of an expedition is involved in:

• Maintenance and repair of the ISS
• Conducting scientific research
• Welcoming visiting spacecraft, including cargo resupply missions
• Performing spacewalks for station upkeep and upgrades

Notable Expeditions

While each expedition contributes valuable data and experience, some have been particularly noteworthy due to their duration, scientific achievements, or the milestones they represent in international space exploration.

• Expedition 1: The inaugural crewed mission to the ISS, setting the foundation for two decades of continuous human presence in space.
• Expedition 14: Notable for conducting a series of spacewalks to rewire the station's power system.
• Expedition 21: Marked the transition to a six-person crew, enabling a significant increase in the amount of scientific research conducted.
• Expedition 43: Featured the one-year mission of Scott Kelly (NASA) and Mikhail Kornienko (Roscosmos) to study the long-term effects of spaceflight on the human body.

Future Expeditions

The ISS program has been extended through at least 2024, with discussions ongoing about its future beyond that date. Future expeditions will continue to build on the legacy of their predecessors, conducting important research that can benefit humanity and prepare for future deep space missions, including those to the Moon and Mars.

See Also

• List of uncrewed spaceflights to the International Space Station
• SpaceX Crew Dragon
• Soyuz spacecraft
• Boeing CST-100 Starliner