The International Space Station (ISS) will be the largest artificial object in Space, when it is completed. Today, the ISS is a collaboration
between sixteen international partners. Assembling the station will require 45 launches (36 from the United States of America and 9 from Russia). Its purpose is to enable long-term space exploration and provide benefits
to people on Earth. It is hoped that it will allow advancements in medicine, technology and science. It will also serve as the gateway to future human space exploration and a place to carry
out experiments critical for research in requirements for missions to
Mars
and beyond. Furthermore, it will be vital in the study of how gravity effects people and the growth of protein crystals in a space environment will assist in an effort to cure diseases back on Earth. |
