International Space Station – Your Guide to the Orbital Lab

When working with International Space Station, a permanently crewed laboratory orbiting about 400 km above Earth, operated by multiple space agencies. Also known as space station, it serves as a platform for scientific research, technology testing, and international cooperation. The International Space Station stays aloft 16 times a day, giving astronauts a unique view of our planet and a testbed for the next generation of deep‑space missions.

Key Systems and Their Roles

One of the core enablers of daily life on the ISS is its Life Support Systems, hardware that provides breathable air, drinking water, temperature control, and waste recycling. These systems turn raw resources into safe air and water, keeping the crew healthy and the habitat functional. Without them, the station couldn’t maintain pressure or support long‑duration missions, which is why every new module includes upgraded life‑support technology.

Living in microgravity also reshapes the human body, so Astronaut Health, the study of how bone density, muscle mass, vision, and cardiovascular function change in space. Scientists monitor these changes to develop countermeasures like exercise routines and nutrition plans. The health data collected on the ISS feeds directly into mission planning for future trips to the Moon and Mars, showing how astronaut health influences station operations.

The legal framework behind the orbiting outpost is equally interesting. ISS Ownership, a set of intergovernmental agreements that assign responsibilities to NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA. Each agency contributes hardware, crew time, and funding, while the treaties ensure that the station remains a peaceful, collaborative effort. This shared ownership model makes the ISS a rare example of large‑scale international partnership in space.

Orbiting in low Earth orbit also means sharing space with thousands of satellites and countless pieces of debris. Space Debris, defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and tiny fragments moving at high speed. The ISS regularly performs avoidance maneuvers to stay safe, and ongoing cleanup projects aim to reduce the risk for future habitats. Understanding debris traffic is essential for protecting the station and for planning new platforms.

All of these topics—life support, health research, ownership, and debris mitigation—show why the International Space Station remains a cornerstone of modern spaceflight. Below you’ll find articles that dive deeper into mission updates, new technologies, and the science happening aboard the orbiting laboratory. Get ready to explore the breadth of coverage we’ve curated for you.