Step Inside The International Space Station
Columbus Laboratory Module
Europe’s contribution to the station offers a variety of research facilities for the crew
to study materials science, fluid physics, and the effects of microgravity on the body.
Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo”
Japan contributes life science research, external demonstrations,
satellite deployments, a robotic arm, and other key research facilities.
Science on all sides
Multipurpose research shelving units called EXPRESS Racks support as many as 100 experiments at a time.
Harmony Module
Known as Node 2, Harmony connects international science labs and houses four crew quarters
for astronauts to sleep and work in while aboard station.
Destiny Laboratory Module
Station’s main U.S. laboratory, Destiny enables a wide variety of experiments
that improve life on Earth and help prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Unity Module
Known as Node 1, Unity provides living and working space for crew members, including a kitchen and dining area.
Cupola
The space station’s “window to the world” offers views of Earth from seven different windows.
Quest Airlock
Astronauts have conducted many spacewalks throughout station’s life
to upgrade capabilities and install platforms to study Earth and the universe.
Enhanced Spaceflight Diet
Scientists are studying how dietary improvements affect immune function, the gut microbiome,
and nutritional status to improve human adaptation to spaceflight.
Pressurized Mating Adapters
This Pressurized Mating Adapter (PMA 1) connects the U.S. and Russian segments
of the space station and also serves as a storage area.
Zarya Module
The first space station component launched, Zarya orbited Earth alone for 16 days
before space shuttle Endeavour arrived to install the Unity modul
Zvezda Service Module
The first fully Russian contribution to the space station,
Zvezda was an early cornerstone of human habitation aboard the station.
Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module
The Multipurpose Laboratory Module is named Nauka, the Russian word for “science,”
and serves as a science facility, docking port, and spacewalk airlock.
Poisk Research Module
Poisk provides a docking port for the crewed Soyuz spacecraft and the Progress cargo spacecraft,
and it also is a place for cosmonauts to prepare for spacewalks.
International Partnership
A collaboration of five space agencies from 15 countries operate the space station.
Environmental Control and Life Support System
The station’s life support system recycles essential resources like air and water,
and can recover up to 98% of the water used in the U.S. segment.
Crew Earth Observations
Astronauts photograph the Earth from their unique vantage point to document human impacts,
record weather patterns, and monitor major natural events like hurricanes.
Research Results
Since November 2000, more than 4,000 investigations have been conducted aboard the space station,
generating more than 4,500 research papers and countless benefits to humanity.
The Ride to Station
SpaceX’s Dragon can carry crew and cargo to the space station
and is one of several spacecraft currently supporting station operations.
Producer: Nicole Rose
Editor: Devin Boldt Nicole Rose
Videographer: Samantha Cristoforetti Kjell Lindgren Nicole Mann Oleg Novitsky
Image Credit: ESA (European Space Agency) JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) NASA Roscosmos
Music Courtesy of Universal Production Music
Learn more at nasa.gov/iss-science