International Space Station - A Brief History

The mission of the International Space Station is to "enable long-term exploration of space and provide benefits to people on Earth." The International Space Station will create a permanent orbiting science institute in space, for long-duration research in the materials and life sciences areas in a nearly gravity-free environment. Medical research will also be conducted aboard the International Space Station. It's unique conditions will accelerate breakthroughs in technology and engineering.

In the planning stages for years, construction of the International Space Station began with the launch of the U.S.-owned, Russian-built Zarya control module on November 20, 1998, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakstan.

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