The I.S.S. started by the Zarya and the Unity joined up in 1998. In 2000 Zvezda service module was sent up and attached to the Zarya and the Unity. Also in 2000 the first crew of the I.S.S. took off in Russia aboard the Soyuz rocket. Another thing that happened in 2000 was two of the solar panel wings were sent up. These wings brought power to the I.S.S.

Destiny Laboratory

These are all the rooms and some of the future rooms in the I.S.S. (International Space Station). First I'm going to talk about the rooms that have already been made. This room is called the Destiny Laboratory. The Destiny Laboratory is the centerpiece for U.S. research on the I.S.S. It landed aboard the shuttle in 2001, and should give scientists good and useful information for about 10 years. It is 28 ft. long and inside there is room for 24 equipment racks, 13 of these are for experiments, the rest are used for power such as cooling and life support system.

Canadarm 2

The Canadarm 2 came from earth on the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The arm is known as a robot but is really controlled by a human. The Candarm has many elbows so its flexibility is at a great level. This mechanical arm helps avoid dangerous situations.

Columbus Space Laboratory

The next one I am going to talk about is called the Columbus Space Laboratory. A group Europeans built this room. Columbus has a standard amount of rows and shelves to keep the latest equipment, which includes video and communication with scientists on earth. Columbus will last about 10 years and while that time passes important experiments will be carried out.

Jules Verne

This is another room that as built by a group of Europeans except this time leaded by EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space). This room is an ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) that weighs over 45,000 lbs. That's 20.5 tons. The Jules Verne typical load is water, air tanks and items for experiments. When the Jules Verne's job is done it will go back to earth and burn up in the atmosphere.

Node 2 Node 3 and Cupola

Node 2 and 3 are used to join other models together by using a system of circular airtight hatches. The same company that constructed Node 2 and 3 are making an observation dome called Cupola. It will be a six-sided room with an all around view. The jobs done in Cupola will be observing approaching spacecrafts, controlling the stations mechanical arm, or studying space objects for example the earth, sun, stars or planets.

Kibo Research Lab

The Kibo Research Lab is made up of 4 sections. The biggest section is PM (Pressurized Module). It is an air filled room where astronauts can work in relaxation. On top of that is ELM (Experiment Logistics Module that carries important supplies. In the back there is a porch type thing where experiments are conducted. A robot arm is also there to conduct experiments to a further point. It also helps when things get hot.

This page last modified on February 20, 2003.

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