ClassX Video Lessons The incredible collaboration behind the International Space Station – Tien Nguyen
Have you ever gazed at a starry sky and noticed a bright dot gliding across the heavens? If it wasn’t blinking, you were likely witnessing one of humanity’s most remarkable collaborative achievements: the International Space Station (ISS). This colossal structure, comparable in size to a six-bedroom house and weighing more than 320 cars, is so vast that no single rocket could have launched it into orbit. Instead, it was meticulously assembled piece by piece while orbiting Earth at a staggering speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour, completing a lap every 90 minutes.
The journey of the ISS began when sixteen nations came together to sign the Space Station Intergovernmental Agreement. This agreement outlined each partner’s contributions, ranging from modules and maintenance to sharing information and finances. With an estimated cost of 100 billion U.S. dollars, the ISS became the most expensive object ever constructed. The world watched in awe as a Russian rocket launched the first module, Zarya, into the sky. Meaning “sunrise,” Zarya was equipped with solar panels and a propulsion system crucial for maintaining the station’s safe distance of 400 kilometers from Earth.
Shortly after Zarya’s launch, the U.S. Space Shuttle Endeavour followed, carrying Unity, a node module designed for connecting other modules, along with an international six-person assembly crew. The subsequent addition of Zvezda provided essential communications and living accommodations. Since the arrival of its first tenants, the ISS has been continuously occupied, hosting over 200 visitors who typically spend six months on board. Notably, astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti holds the record for the longest single space flight by a woman, spending 199 days on the ISS.
In 2001, the ISS welcomed Destiny, the first of four research modules where astronauts dedicate approximately 36 hours a week to groundbreaking experiments in microgravity. Their daily routines include two hours of exercise to combat muscle atrophy, station maintenance, and connecting with family and admirers worldwide. Despite their busy schedules, astronauts find time for leisure, enjoying movie nights and even filming the first music video in space. Destiny also houses the Canadarm2, a seven-jointed robotic arm capable of moving over 100,000 kilograms, ideal for unloading new arrivals from shuttles.
The year 2001 was pivotal for the ISS, with the addition of Quest, the main airlock for spacewalks, and Pirs, a docking pier for Russian spacecraft, including the emergency escape vehicle, Soyuz. However, tragedy struck on February 1, 2003, when the space shuttle Columbia exploded during reentry, claiming the lives of its seven-member crew. After a four-year hiatus, construction resumed, adding more hubs, airlocks, docks, and an observation cupola offering breathtaking 360-degree views of Earth and beyond. Critical components like platforms and trusses support radiators that dissipate the heat generated by the station’s electronics, while solar panels efficiently power 55 homes.
After a decade and over 30 missions, the ISS was finally completed, coinciding with the retirement of the U.S. Space Shuttle Program. Today, the ISS stands as a testament to international collaboration, with two individuals embarking on a one-year stay to study the long-term physical and psychological effects of space travel. This research is invaluable for future ambitious missions, such as journeys to Mars. Throughout its existence, the ISS has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also demonstrated our ability to work together and achieve extraordinary feats.
Using everyday materials like cardboard, plastic bottles, and aluminum foil, create a scale model of the International Space Station. Pay attention to the different modules and components mentioned in the article, such as Zarya, Unity, and Destiny. This hands-on activity will help you understand the complexity and collaborative effort involved in building the ISS.
Form groups representing different countries that contributed to the ISS. Each group will research their country’s specific contributions and then present their findings to the class. This activity will help you appreciate the global teamwork required to make the ISS a reality.
Design a simple experiment to demonstrate the effects of microgravity. For example, you could compare how plants grow in different orientations or how objects behave in water. Document your findings and discuss how similar experiments are conducted on the ISS.
Write a diary entry as if you were an astronaut living on the ISS. Describe your daily routine, including exercise, scientific experiments, and leisure activities. This will help you understand the unique challenges and experiences of living in space.
Create a simulation of a spacewalk using a virtual reality app or a simple obstacle course. Include tasks like repairing a module or installing a new component. This activity will give you a sense of the skills and precision required for spacewalks.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite area that exists beyond Earth’s atmosphere where stars, planets, and other celestial bodies are found. – Example sentence: Scientists use telescopes to study the mysteries of space.
Station – A structure or facility in space where astronauts live and work for extended periods. – Example sentence: The International Space Station orbits Earth and serves as a home for astronauts conducting research.
Earth – The third planet from the Sun in our solar system, which is home to all known life forms. – Example sentence: From space, Earth looks like a beautiful blue and green marble.
Astronauts – People who are trained to travel and work in space. – Example sentence: Astronauts aboard the space station conduct experiments to learn more about living in microgravity.
Modules – Separate sections or units of a spacecraft or space station that serve specific purposes. – Example sentence: The space station is made up of several modules, each designed for different scientific activities.
Experiments – Scientific tests conducted to discover new information or test hypotheses, often performed in space to understand how things work in microgravity. – Example sentence: The astronauts conducted experiments to see how plants grow in space.
Gravity – The force that attracts objects toward one another, especially the force that makes things fall to the ground on Earth. – Example sentence: In space, the lack of gravity allows astronauts to float inside the spacecraft.
Rocket – A vehicle designed to propel itself by ejecting exhaust gas from one end, used to travel into space. – Example sentence: The rocket launched from the space center, carrying a satellite into orbit.
Collaboration – The act of working together with others to achieve a common goal, often seen in international space missions. – Example sentence: The space mission was a collaboration between scientists from different countries.
Exploration – The act of traveling through an unfamiliar area to learn more about it, such as exploring space to discover new planets and stars. – Example sentence: Space exploration has led to many exciting discoveries about our universe.
