Jordan Stewart INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (ISS) The International Space Station (ISS) is a habitable artificial satellite, in low Earth orbit. The purpose of the ISS is to be a laboratory, observatory, and factory in space. It also provides transportation, maintenance, and a possible base for possible missions to the moon, Mars, and asteroids. In 2010, it was given commercial, diplomatic, and educational roles.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH The station is used to perform various scientific experiments. It simplifies space research by eliminating the need for new/more rocket launches and/or more staff. The staff on the ISS research: Astrobiology, Astronomy, Space Medicine, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Materials Science, Space Weather, and Meteorology. Scientists on Earth have access to the data recorded by the crew on the ISS, so they can apply their research to the planet.

THE STAFF There are currently 6 people working on the International Space Station. Different expedition crews are typically launched every 6 months, when the old crews arrive back on Earth. Russia and the United States own the ISS. However, there have been people from Japan, Belgium, Canada, and other various countries. Overall, there have been 42 expeditions to the ISS.

EXPLORATION The ISS is relatively low to Earth so it can be used as a base if a mission is launched to the moon or Mars. It provides experience in operations and repair any missions that could be in- orbit. The ISS benefits the Earth in getting people further into space as safely as possible.

EDUCATION & CULTURAL OUTREACH The ISS crew provides opportunities for students to learn more about their expeditions. They provide educational demonstrations, demonstrate experiments performed, and directly contacts them during their time on the ISS. JAXA (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) wants their students to be curious, cultivate their spirits, and encourage a passion for space exploration. The U.S., Russia, Canada, Japan, and many more countries are trying to encourage everyone to get involved in the study of space. “There is something about space that touches even people who are not interested in science” -Tetsuo Tanaka

ASSEMBLY The assembly of the International Space Station was an architectural challenge. Different parts of the station would be launched from Earth, and would be put together robotically or by crew members. The first part of the ISS was Zarya. Zarya was launched by Russia, and had many basic functions. However, it could hardly support long-term life functions, so Unity was launched and attached to Zarya by astronauts. The ISS was inhabited for 2 years.

ASSEMBLY After Zarya and Unity were launched, many more parts were launched and connected to the ISS could carry humans. A pieced named Zvezda was launched and added sleeping quarters, a toilet, a kitchen, CO 2 scrubbers, dehumidifier, oxygen generators, and exercise equipment. It also brought data, voice, and television communications with mission control. This allowed permanent habitation. The first crew arrived in 2000.

EXPEDITIONS Each crew is given a crew number. New expeditions are launched every 6 months. Expeditions initially started with 3 crew members, but was reduced to 2 members when the NASA shuttle Columbia was destroyed. Expedition 13 was the first crew to have 6 members. Private flights can be taken to the ISS by “space tourists”. Expeditions include males and females from many different countries.

CREW ACTIVITIES All crew members wake up at 6:00 A.M. and inspect the station. They begin work around 8:10 A.M., then they exercise. The majority of their day consists of exercise. There are different rooms for American and Russian crew members. If the room is not well ventilated, then the astronaut will wake up with a bubble of carbon dioxide around their heads, causing them to gasp for air. Most sleeping quarters have windows.

FOOD Most of the food is vacuum sealed in plastic bags. There are a few cans, but they are too heavy and expensive. More spices and sauces are used to make the food more enjoyable. Crew members have to be very cautious of crumbs, or else they could clog the air filters. When eating solid food, the knife and the fork are magnetically attached to a tray, so they won’t float away. Drinks are dehydrated and must be added to water.

HYGIENE Showers were introduced to the ISS in the 1970’s. Crew members shower monthly. Showers were removed from the ISS when the members began to complain, and were replaced with water jets and wet wipes. Crew members have rinseless shampoo and edible toothpaste to save water.

CREW HEALTH A problem that astronauts face is the exposure to radiation. The ISS is partially protected by the Sun’s harmful rays due to the Earth’s magnetic field. Earth’s atmosphere typically takes the most harmful rays, but the crew is still at risk. Solar flares allow only a few minutes for the crew members to react. The ISS has some protective shielding, but there is a risk that astronauts will develop a lower immunity.

MEDICAL EFFECTS While in space, there is a large risk of something affecting the astronauts’ health. Some effects they may face are: Muscle Atrophy Deterioration of the Skeleton Fluid Redistribution Slowing of the Cardiovascular System Decreased Production of Red Blood Cells Balance Disorders Weakening of the Immune System

THREAT OF DEBRIS Orbital debris always poses a threat to both the ISS and to the astronauts working on it. Since the ISS is so low to the Earth, there is a variety of debris that could harm the station. The station’s shield and structure protects it from major damage, but astronauts are still at risk. If there suits were to be punctured, it could open them up to the vacuum, and kill them. The location of the debris can be monitored from Earth, which allows the crew members to be notified. The DAM (Debris Avoidance Maneuver) using thrusters to temporarily change the orbit of the ISS, protecting the station from the debris. If they are notified too late, they close all hatches and prepare to evacuate if the damage is too great for repair.

MODULES The modules on the ISS are: Zarya Unity Zvezda Z1 Truss P6 Truss Solar Array Destiny Canadarm 2 Quest Airlock Pirs Airlock S0 Truss/Mobile Transporter Mobile Base S1 Truss P1 Truss P3/P4 Truss P5 Truss S3/S4 Truss S5 Truss

MY PROPOSED MODULE My proposed module is a component that would allow the astronauts to be trained further while they are in space. It could be added onto the ISS, and used solely for teaching the astronauts (currently in space) new techniques. It would have a wall designed for communication between the people on Earth and the astronauts. The other walls would contain screens used for demonstrating new techniques that the astronauts could learn, and ports for materials to attach to. As well as the screens and ports, I would also have a landing pad for any astronaut working out in space.