Spacecraft --- Space Station --- Structure of the International Space Station
The assembly of the ISS in orbit has begun since 1998, and is scheduled for completion in 2006.
When completed, the ISS will be capable of housing up to seven astronauts.
The ISS has the following dimensions and other facts:
Length - 88m
Width - 109m
Height - 44m
Volume -1300m3
Mass - 454 metric tons
Orbit - 362 to 476 km form the Earth
The ISS will have the following major parts:
- Control Module - containing propulsion (two rocket engines), command and control systems
- Nodes - connecting major portions of the ISS
- Services Module - containing living quarters and life support for early parts of the ISS, docking ports for Progess resupply ships and rocket engines for attitude control and reboost
- Scientific Laboratories - containing scientific equipment and a robotic arm to move payload on an outside platform
- Laboratory Module - making environment facility for research on microgravity, life sciences, Earth sciences and space sciences
- Truss - a long, tower-like spine for attaching modules, payloads and systems equipment
- Mobile Servicing System - robotic system that will move along the truss; equipped with remote arm for assembly and maintenance
- Transfer Vehicles - a Soyuz capsule and a Crew Return Vehicle (X-38) for emergency evacuation
- Electrical Power System - consisting of solar panels and equipment for generationg, storing, managing and distributing electrical power
Structure of the ISS Propulsion Communication Navigation Power Computer Resupply Escape Research in the ISS