Ultra high definition view of international space station

The International Space Station (ISS) is a habitable space station in low Earth orbit. It is a multinational cooperative project involving NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA.

The ISS serves as a scientific laboratory for various research endeavors in areas such as biology, physics, astronomy, and Earth observation. It also serves as a testbed for technologies and systems necessary for long-duration space exploration.

The space station is approximately 109 meters long, with a total mass of around 420,000 kilograms. It orbits the Earth at an altitude of about 408 kilometers, traveling at a speed of roughly 28,000 kilometers per hour.

Astronauts and cosmonauts from different countries regularly live and work on the ISS, conducting experiments, maintaining the station, and performing spacewalks to conduct repairs or install new equipment. The station also serves as a platform for international collaboration and fostering peaceful cooperation in space exploration.