This info-graphic shows the ISS as it is in orbit today.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a remarkable space laboratory and habitat located in low Earth orbit. It is a multinational cooperative project involving multiple space agencies, with NASA (the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration) being a major partner. Here is a description of the NASA-led aspects of the ISS:

1. Structure: The ISS is a modular structure composed of various interconnected modules and components. It is roughly the size of a football field and consists of laboratories, living quarters, workspaces, and solar arrays.
2. International Collaboration: The ISS is the result of international collaboration between space agencies, including NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency). NASA plays a leading role in the station’s operation.
3. Research Laboratory: The primary purpose of the ISS is to serve as a research laboratory for scientific experiments in the microgravity environment of space. It hosts experiments in various fields, including biology, physics, astronomy, materials science, and Earth sciences.
4. Living Quarters: The station is equipped with living quarters for astronauts and cosmonauts, providing them with the necessary facilities for daily life, such as sleeping areas, hygiene facilities, and a galley for preparing meals.
5. Crew Rotation: NASA, along with other space agencies, regularly sends astronauts and cosmonauts to the ISS for missions that typically last several months. These astronauts conduct scientific research, perform maintenance, and carry out experiments while aboard the station.
6. Spacewalks: Astronauts frequently conduct spacewalks (extravehicular activities or EVAs) outside the ISS to perform maintenance, repair equipment, and upgrade systems. NASA astronauts have played a significant role in these activities.
7. Earth Observation: The ISS provides a unique vantage point for Earth observation. NASA and other agencies use the station to monitor Earth’s climate, weather patterns, and natural disasters. The data collected contribute to our understanding of our planet.
8. Commercial Activities: NASA has promoted the commercial use of the ISS, allowing private companies to conduct research and develop technology in the unique microgravity environment. This has led to the growth of commercial space activities and opportunities.
9. International Partnerships: NASA’s participation in the ISS program reflects its commitment to international cooperation in space exploration. The station serves as a symbol of peaceful collaboration in space.
10. Future Exploration: The ISS program has contributed to NASA’s experience and knowledge in human spaceflight and serves as a testbed for technologies and systems that will be used in future deep space exploration missions, including missions to the Moon and Mars.

The International Space Station, with NASA as a key partner, represents a pinnacle of international cooperation in space exploration. It continues to advance scientific knowledge, technology development, and human spaceflight capabilities while promoting peaceful cooperation among nations.