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About the International Space Station
The International Space Station: Facts and Figures Surprising Space Station Facts The International Space Station's International Partner Contribution Background InformationThe International Space Station will
establish our first permanent orbiting laboratory which is capable of
performing long-term research in a relatively gravity-free environment.
At an estimated cost of $28 billion, its primary scientific focus will
be on materials and life sciences.
With the International Space Station's unique environment -- the relative absence of gravity which cannot be reproduced on Earth -- scientists will be able to conduct medical and biomedical research that can lead to new breakthroughs in the advancement of human health. Materials research promises to yield new metal alloys and plastic compounds that will have a lasting beneficial impact for scientific importance, industrial applications, technological advancements, and economic growth for job creation in areas such as telecommunications, software and data integration, transportation, and a host of other industries not yet determined. The International Space Station will help maintain the role of the U.S. as a leader in space, keeping the U.S. globally competitive and providing for the emergence of new technologies. However, it will also provide new partnerships with nations from around the world and help to strengthen ties with those countries. In the area of education the International Sapce Station will be a great source of inspiration, motivating children to become the next generation of doctors, scientists, and engineers. The International Space Station: Facts and FiguresThe International Space Station will play a vital role as the testbed for future technologies and medical breakthroughs that cannot be replicated on Earth. It will also serve as a launch site for future exploration. Space Station FactsAssembly of the
Space Station will begin in November 1997 and will be complete in June
2002.
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| Orbit | 230 Nautical Miles above Earth |
| Globe Circulation | 51.6 Degrees |
| Atmosphere | 14.7 (pounds per square inch) |
| Weight | 470 tons (924,000 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 361 x 290 feet |
| Crew Complement | 6 |
| Estimated Cost | $28 Billion |
International Space Station information a great illustrated overview that will answer most of your questions and even quiz you on some facts.
Get inside the International Space Station uses IPIX software to give you a "virtual tour" some of the ISS parts. You can get a 360° view inside the mockup where astronauts train.
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