International Space Station

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The International Space Station (ISS) is a multi-nation construction project that is the largest single structure humans ever put into space.
Its main construction was built between 1998 and 2011, although the station continually evolves to include new missions and experiments. It has been continuously occupied since Nov. 2, 2000. The space station’s orbit is approximately 250 miles above Earth. NASA uses the station to learn about living and working in space. These lessons will help NASA explore space.

Watch Commander Suni Williams take you on a tour of the ISS in this NASA video.

Fast Facts about ISS

• The space station flies at an average altitude of 248 miles above Earth.
• It circles the globe every 90 minutes at a speed of about 17,500 mph - that’s 5 miles per second
• There are only two toilets onboard
• It’s 357ft long from end to end - that’s about the same as a football pitch
• More than 50 computers control all the systems on the station
• The electrics on the ISS are all connected with eight miles of cabling
• The ISS weighs about 420,000kg - that’s about the same as 320 cars
• The astronauts work out at least two hours a day.
  
• It is estimated to cost over $120 billion to build ISS
• As of October 2019, 239 individuals from 19 countries have visited the International Space Station.

Visit NASA's ISS website to find out more here

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