STEM in 30 - 15 Years of Humans in Space

TL;DR

The International Space Station (ISS) has been continuously inhabited for the past 15 years and has seen various advancements and achievements.

Transcript

TODAY'S EPISODE OF S.T.E.M. IN 30 IS ALL ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

SPECIFICALLY, 15 YEARS OF HUMAN PRESENCE ON THE SPACE STATION. >> TO KICK THINGS OFF, WE HAVE 15 FACTS ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR FRIENDS HERE AT THE NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM. FACT NUMBER 15†-- >> THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATI... Read More

Key Insights

• 😘 The ISS serves as humanity's outpost in space and has been permanently inhabited since November 2000.
• 🇺🇸 The ISS is a collaboration between the United States, Japan, Russia, the European Space Agency, and Canada.
• 🥳 The ISS has been continuously occupied for the past 15 years, with no single day without an astronaut in orbit around the Earth.
• 💦 Astronauts on the ISS participate in various experiments and research, such as studying the effects of microgravity on the human body and recycling urine and sweat into drinking water.
• 😘 The ISS is a modular space station with ongoing construction, involving the addition of new components and modules.
• 😘 Astronauts on the ISS engage in activities such as spacewalks, taking pictures of Earth, and conducting experiments.
• 🙈 The ISS has played a crucial role in international cooperation and has seen visitors from various countries.

Questions & Answers

Q: How fast does the ISS travel?

The ISS travels at a minimum speed of 17,500 miles per hour, orbiting approximately 250 miles above the Earth.

Q: How many countries are involved in operating the ISS?

A total of 26 countries participate in the operation of the ISS.

Q: Are there toilets on the ISS?

Yes, there are two toilets on the ISS that astronauts have to strap themselves into to use.

Q: What is the significance of the Russian modules' names?

The Russian modules on the ISS are named Unity, Zaria, Destiny, and Harmony, which respectively mean star and sunrise.

Q: How many computers are on the ISS?

There are 52 computers on the ISS.

Q: How many people have visited the ISS?

A total of 220 different people have visited the ISS, including astronauts from 17 countries, 33 women, 7 tourists, 79 double flyers (returning to the ISS multiple times), 28 triple flyers, and 6 quadruple flyers (making four trips to the ISS).

Q: What is the power source for the ISS?

The solar panels on the ISS provide over 75 kilowatts of power and cover over eight acres in size.

Q: How visible is the ISS from Earth?

The ISS is visible from your backyard if you know where to look.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The ISS completes 15.5 orbits per day, experiencing 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.

• The ISS is almost the size of a football field and weighs over 450 tons.

• There have been 220 visitors to the ISS, including astronauts from 17 countries, with continuous human presence since November 2000.