The International Space Station will be an island in the sky.   America and 13other  countries, (see list below) will join together in putting a floating science laboratory  in the sky.  The Space Station will be the home for groups of astronaunts, payload specialist, mission specialist and various crew members so they can conduct experiments in a space enviornment.  The experiments will benefit people on earth in a number of different ways.  (visit our spinoff page for space technology benefits)
 
 
 
Participating Countries
Belgium,
Denmark,
France,
Germany,
Italy,

 

It is estimated that by June 2002, the assembly of the ISS will be completed.  It will take 73 flights to put together seven laboratories, 3 research modules and living space for the International Space Station.  The station will be 240 miles above the earth and can be viewed, at certain times, with a telescope, from various parts of the world.  To see and track where the station will be for viewing, visit NASA's web site at  http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/index.html .  Click on the Realtime data, then click on Sighting Opportunities