Stories About the International Space Station
SPACE ESSENTIALS
2025 marks a pivotal year for the International Space Station (ISS), a symbol of global collaboration and scientific innovation that has been orbiting Earth for over two decades. As a one-of-a-kind microgravity laboratory, the ISS has facilitated groundbreaking research across a variety of disciplines, including human health in space, advanced material development, and climate studies. Now entering the final phase of its operational life, preparations are underway for its planned decommissioning in 2031, with NASA targeting a controlled deorbit. Meanwhile, alternative platforms, such as private orbital stations and lunar outposts, are already in development to carry forward its legacy.
Private companies are indeed designing commercial space stations to replace the ISS, offering modular, scalable solutions for microgravity research and orbital operations. Simultaneously, international efforts like NASA’s Artemis programme aim to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon, with plans for a lunar gateway station and surface habitats that will enable long-term scientific experiments in a unique environment. We can only hope that these emerging platforms will build upon the groundbreaking work pioneered on the ISS while unlocking new possibilities for exploration. As humanity ventures further into space, these innovative solutions have the potential to transform our understanding of the universe and redefine the role of space research in addressing challenges both on Earth and beyond.
A Bold Vision Becoming Reality
The International Space Station (ISS) began as an ambitious idea during the Cold War, a period when space exploration symbolised national pride and technological rivalry, particularly between the United States and the Soviet Union. However, with the end of the Cold War, the focus shifted from competition to collaboration, paving the way for a groundbreaking project that would unite nations under a shared vision for space exploration and scientific research.
The development of the ISS reached a significant milestone on 20 November 1998 with the launch of the Zarya module. Zarya, meaning “sunrise” in Russian, was the first module of the ISS. It was built by Russia with funding from the United States, symbolising the spirit of cooperation that would define the project. This launch marked the beginning of an unprecedented international partnership, bringing together five major space agencies:
- NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, USA)
- Roscosmos (Russian Federal Space Agency, Russia)
- ESA (European Space Agency, representing 22 member states across Europe)
- JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan)
- CSA (Canadian Space Agency, Canada)
Since its inception, the ISS has expanded into a fully operational laboratory and living space, orbiting approximately 400 kilometres (about 250 miles) above Earth. As of January 2025, the ISS has been visited by 281 individuals from 22 countries, enabling an unprecedented range of scientific research and technological innovation.
A key research focus is understanding how microgravity affects the human body, from bone density and muscle atrophy to changes in vision and immune response. These studies are critical to preparing for long-duration missions to Mars and beyond, where the challenges of deep space require innovative solutions to maintain health and performance. The ISS is also a testing ground for advanced technologies essential for future exploration. Astronauts and cosmonauts evaluate life support systems, radiation shielding, and autonomous robotics, among other innovations. The station also supports Earth-centric science, such as monitoring climate change, analysing weather patterns, and developing new materials and medicines with applications on the ground.
The Unexpected at 400 Kilometres Above
In a recent notable episode of the ISS’s history, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore embarked on a mission originally planned to last just eight days but extended unexpectedly to eight months. The delay arose due to technical issues with their return spacecraft, requiring thorough troubleshooting and repairs to ensure its safe operation. While unplanned, such contingencies are inherent in space exploration, and space travellers are trained extensively to adapt to these challenges.
During their extended stay, Williams and Wilmore turned the situation into an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the ISS’s operations. They participated in several long-term research projects, generating new data on the effects of microgravity on human physiology and supporting experiments. They also performed crucial maintenance tasks to ensure the station’s systems remained fully functional.
For those of us on the ground, the ISS provides a unique source of inspiration. Whether it’s watching its orbit streak across the night sky, exploring its interior virtually, or marvelling at celestial wonders, the station continues to connect humanity to the vastness of space in remarkable ways. Here is a selection of tools to help you stay connected with the ISS and explore its possibilities from Earth:
Viewing the ISS From Earth
The International Space Station (ISS) is visible to the naked eye and resembles a fast-moving aircraft; however, it operates at a much higher altitude and travels at remarkable speeds exceeding 28,000 km/h (17,500 mph). Depending on your geographic location, the station is most easily observed during dawn or dusk, when sunlight reflects off its expansive solar panels.
Utilising tools such as NASA’s Spot the Station application can help you identify optimal viewing times and locations, allowing you to witness the awe-inspiring sight of humanity’s orbiting laboratory as it traverses the night sky.
Explore the ISS Virtually
If viewing the ISS from the ground isn’t enough, you can now explore it virtually. Thanks to Google Maps, you can tour the station’s interior and get a glimpse of life and work in orbit.
2025 ISS Calendar: A Year of Milestones
Packed with significant dates, mission updates, and key milestones, the ISS calendar serves as a window into the daily operations of this remarkable laboratory. This year’s calendar also celebrates the milestone of 25 years of continuous human presence in space on 2 November 2025.
Key features of the 2025 ISS calendar include:
- Historical Milestones
- Mission Highlights
- Astronomical Events
BONUS Celestial Event
Ultimately, a rare planetary alignment will take place on January 21, 2025. In the evening, just after sunset, six planets—Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus, and Saturn—will align in the sky. Four of these planets (Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn) will be easily visible to the naked eye. However, you will need a telescope or high-powered binoculars to see Neptune and Uranus.
Good luck in your spotting!
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Further Readings:
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© /Clara — NeurAstra 2025
The topic of life aboard the ISS was further explored in the exhibition ‘S.H.E.L.L. — Ordinary Life in Extraordinary Places’.