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The International Space Station

NASA claims that the International Space Station will give us a unique chance to study the universe, the solar system and our own planet, Earth. But can it help us solve more pressing problems like pollution and global warming?

Posted by Tormod Guldvog
13 September, 2001 04:09:46

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Over the course of many years, several countries have worked together to build a permanently manned space station. The IIS takes over for MIR, the Russian Space Station, which has been in service since 1986.

This cooperation makes for a good working climate between the participating superpowers like the USA, Russia and the European Union. In fact, the aspect of a global team has been one of the major driving forces behind the project. However, Russia has had severe financial problems in the past years, and their part of the project has been marred by delays.

Critics have argued that the space station is a too expensive venture in a too troubled world. Money spent on a space station could be better spent on fighting pollution and global warming, which many believe are so important that they should receive the full attention of the world's scientists.

NASA, on the other hand, argues that the International Space Station will give humanity a unique insight into not only cosmic matters, but also global issues. Over the years, research and observations from the ISS will give us invaluable insight into how Earth's climate works. We will also learn about the workings of fossil fuels on our athmosphere. Other invaluable research will include the fields of physics, biology, geography, and aviation.

But the question remains - will the International Space Station give us a better future?

Related Links

Official MIR page by NASA
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/mir/index.html
This is NASA's official website for the Russion manned space station MIR.

Space station photo gallery
http://www.insidecentralflorida.com/news/1998/12/10/space_photo.html
icFlorida.com has put together a slide show with photos from the International Space Station.

Shuttle and Station Sightings
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/PAO/html/stsight.htm
This document tells you how to see the space station from the ground without a telescope.

NASA Glenn: Contributions to the ISS
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/PAO/issgrc.htm
NASA Glenn Research Center has a page describing their contributions to building the ISS. There are some great photos of the station here.

Discovery: Space Station
http://www.discovery.com/stories/science/spacestation/spacestation.html
This is Discovery.com's special feature website on the International Space Station. They offer a nice feature which lets you track the whereabouts of the station.

Astronomy Now: Space Station
http://www.astronomynow.com/spacenow/station/index.html
Astronomy Now has a news page with updates on events related to the International Space Station.

International Space Station: Reference
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/index.html
This is a great page with answers to lots of questions about the ISS. You can also check out the meaning of acronyms.

The Science of the International Space Station
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/science/index.html
This is an article presenting some of the scientific objects of the IIS.

Omnimag: International Space Station
http://www.omnimag.com/machine/index.html
An Omnimag special page about the IIS. Chat with the astronauts and participate in the sweepstakes.

Space Station News
http://universetoday.com/html/topics/spacestation.html
Universe Today has an updated page with news about the Internation Space Station.

NASA Human Spaceflight
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/
This is NASA's official website for the International Space Station and other manned explorations.

Parts Pile Up for Space Station
http://www.popularscience.com/news/08102000_spaceparts.html
Russia's Zvezda control module is finally hitched to the international spacestation.

Improving Life on Earth and in Space
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/olmsa/ISS/cover.htm
This is important reading: the NASA mission statement for the International Space Station.