Space Station

Space Station is a large spacecraft that remains in low Earth orbit for extended periods of time. It is a home where astronauts live and work. The International Space Station (ISS) is one such space station. It is a joint project between NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA.

Overview

The idea of a space station is rooted in the scientific field of astronautics. Such a station can serve a variety of purposes, including research into space medicine, life sciences, physical sciences, and astronomy. Space stations are also hubs for a wide range of spacecraft launching, docking, and servicing activities.

History

The concept of a space station dates back to 1869 when Edward Everett Hale wrote "The Brick Moon". The first to give serious, scientifically-based consideration to space stations were Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and the Soviet Union during the 20th century.

Design and structure

The design of a space station is determined by its intended use, the resources available for its construction, the technologies intended to be used on it, and the specific environment it will inhabit. The ISS, for example, has a modular structure, the primary sections being the Russian Orbital Segment (ROS) and the United States Orbital Segment (USOS).

Life on a Space Station

Living on a space station requires adjusting to microgravity and confinement. Astronauts exercise for two hours each day to counteract the muscle and bone loss caused by the weightless environment. The inhabitants experience 16 sunrises and sunsets each day, due to the station's rapid orbital period.

Medical considerations

Space medicine is a developing field that seeks to understand the effects of microgravity on human health, and develop countermeasures for the detrimental effects of space travel. Issues studied include bone loss, muscle atrophy, and the effects of exposure to space radiation. Astronauts are monitored before, during, and after their missions to understand the effects of space travel on their bodies and develop methods to mitigate the negative effects.

Future of Space Stations

The future of space stations is often discussed in terms of space tourism, commercial spaceflight, and missions to other planets. The development of new technologies and the participation of private companies in space is expected to contribute to the evolution of space stations.