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International Space Station (view source)
Revision as of 17:33, June 28, 2007
, 17:33, June 28, 2007added section on emergency vehicles
[[Image:ISS Aug2005.jpg|right|thumb|250px|International space station, August 2005.]]
[[Image:ISS Aug2005.jpg|right|thumb|250px|International space station, August 2005.]]
The '''International Space Station''' (or '''ISS''') is an artifical satellite orbiting the [[earth]], with the capabilities of supporting life, and conducting research. Construction of the station began in the 1900's, and the first modules were launched in 1998. <ref>http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/history/station/index.html</ref> The '''ISS''' is still in construction today, having been delayed by the [[Space Shuttle Columbia]] disaster. The station is jointly managed by [[NASA]], the [[Russian Space Agency]], and the [[European Space Agency]].
The '''International Space Station''' (or '''ISS''') is an artificial satellite orbiting the [[earth]], with the capabilities of supporting life, and conducting research. Construction of the station began in the 1900's, and the first modules were launched in 1998. <ref>http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/history/station/index.html</ref> The '''ISS''' is still in construction today, having been delayed by the [[Space Shuttle Columbia]] disaster. The station is jointly managed by [[NASA]], the [[Russian Space Agency]], and the [[European Space Agency]].
==Technical Problems==
==Technical Problems==
Over time, the station has experienced problems of various nature. Some of the latest have been retracting a solar panel, spilled food, and a computer failure. All have been successfully resolved.
Over time, the station has experienced problems of various nature. Some of the latest have been retracting a solar panel, spilled food, and a central computer failure. All have been successfully resolved.
==Emergency Vehicles==
The International Space Station is equipped with a Soyuz Space vehicle, should it be necessary for the crew to return to Earth during a life threatening situation. <ref>http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/intspacestation_worldbook.html</ref>
As the Soyuz spacecraft is only capable of of holding a crew of 3, a new "Crew Return Vehicle" is in development. The Crew Return Vehicle or X-38 will be capable of holding a crew of 7, returning to earth within 2-3 hours. The battery system is being designed to hold a charge for up to 9 hours, which would be sufficient for the circumstances in which the craft would be used. The navigation system is designed to be capable of being fully controlled from earth, should the crew be incapable of running the craft. <ref>http://www1.jsc.nasa.gov/er/seh/crew_return_vehicle_X38.pdf</ref>
==References==
==References==