() a laboratory that orbits the Earth; it is a reduced-gravity environment used for long-term research
the permanently inhabited space station orbiting the Earth at 400 km altitude for peaceful purposes. Its design, development, operation and utilisation are based on the Inter Governmental Agreement signed in 1998 between the 15 International Partners (see above list in this glossary). The ISS is managed by the following space agencies: ESA (Europe), NASA (USA), FSA (Russia), CSA (Canada) and JAXA (Japan).
a global cooperative program between the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and Europe, for the joint development, operation, and utilization of a permanently habitated space station in low-Earth orbit
The International Space Station is an orbiting structure where people can live in space. Construction (in orbit) on the new International Space station began in 1998. The first crew will be launched on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft for a three-month stay beginning January 2000.
Internationally designed and operated space station
(ISS) – The largest and most complex international scientific project in history. Led by the U.S., the ISS drew upon the resources of 16 nations: Canada, Japan, Russia, 11 nations of the European Space Agency and Brazil. In addition to state-of-the-art U.S. laboratories at the hub of science research, key elements include Canada’s Remote Manipulator System, a 55-foot-long robotic arm used for assembly and maintenance tasks, and Russia’s Service Module with its own life support and habitation systems.
The International Space Station (ISS) is a research facility currently being assembled in orbit around the Earth. It is a joint project between five space agencies: the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA, United States), the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos, Russian Federation), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA, Japan), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA, Canada) and the European Space Agency (ESA, Europe).10 of its member states are currently participating; Austria, Finland, Ireland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom chose not to participate; Greece and Luxembourg joined ESA later.
