ISS Workpage

THE ASTRONOMY PICTURE OF THE DAY FOR 2010 March 3

The International Space Station from Above from STS-130

Credit: STS-130 Crew, NASA

Explanation: The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest human-made object ever to orbit the Earth. The ISS is so large

that it can be seen drifting overhead with the unaided eye, and is frequently imaged from the ground in picturesque fashion.

Last month, the station was visited again by space shuttle, which resupplied the station and added a new module. The ISS is currently

operated by the Expedition 22 crew, now consisting five astronauts including two supplied by USA's NASA, two by Russia's RKA, and

one by Japan's JAXA. After departing the ISS, the crew of the space shuttle Endeavour captured the above spectacular vista of the orbiting

space city high above the clouds, waters, and lands of Earth.

Visible components include modules, trusses, and expansive solar arrays that gather sunlight that is turned into needed electricity.

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THE ASTRONOMY PICTURE OF THE DAY FOR 2009 December 7

The International Space Station Over the Horizon

Credit: STS-129 Crew, Expedition 21 Crew, NASA

Explanation: This was home. In late November, the STS-129 crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis undocked

from the International Space Station (ISS) and returned to Earth. As the shuttle departed the space station,

they took the above image. Visible on the ISS are numerous modules, trusses, and long wing-like solar

panels. The space shuttle crew spent almost 12 days calling the space station home. The shuttle crew

resupplied the space station and delivered valuable spare parts. The ISS continues to be home for five

astronauts of Expedition 21. The ISS's crew now includes astronauts representing NASA, the

European Space Agency, the Russian Federal Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency.

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BELOW IS THE VIEW FROM SHUTTLE ATLANTIS OF THE ISS AFTER UNDOCKING AT 4:53 PM EST

ON 2009 NOVEMBER 25 AS THE STS-129 MISSION WAS PREPARING TO LAND AT KSC ON NOV 27

KSC = KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

The International Space Station Over Earth

Credit: STS-128 Crew, NASA

Explanation: After undocking, the space shuttle Discovery crew got a memorable view of the developing

International Space Station (ISS). Pictured orbitingISS were visible. The Discovery crew brought mission

specialist Nicole Stott to the ISS, and returned astronaut Timothy Kopra to Earth. Among the many mission

and expedition accomplishments of the Discovery crew included delivering and placing the

Fluids Integrated Rack and the Materials Science Research Rack in the high above Earth last month,

numerous solar panels, trusses, and science modules of the Destiny module as well as the

Minus EightyDegree Laboratory Freezer in the Kibo module. Better known, however, was the delivery

of the COLBERT treadmill for keeping astronauts fit. Over this past week the Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft

carrying three more astronauts docked with the ISS as Expedition 21 is set to begin.

The last shuttle trip to the ISS (STS-130) was launched on 2010 Feb 8 at 4:14 AM EST

THE NEXT SHUTTLE MISSION TO THE ISS IS SCHEDULED FOR 2010 APRIL 5 IN THE AM

THE SPACE STATION VIEWED FROM THE SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY (STS 119) ON 2009 MARCH 25

REVEALING THE NEW LARGER AND BRIGHTER SOLAR PANELS

THE ASTRONOMY PICTURE OF THE DAY FOR 2009 April 6

International Space Station Expands Again

Credit: STS-119 Shuttle Crew, NASA

Explanation: The developing International Space Station (ISS) has changed its appearance again. In a recently completed

mission, the Space ShuttleDiscovery visited the ISS and added components that included a new truss and new solar panels.

The entire array of expansive solar panels is visible in the above picture taken by the Discovery CrewISS to return to Earth.

The world's foremost space outpost can be seen developing over the past several years by comparing the

above image to past images. Also visible above are many different types of modules, a robotic arm, and a supply ship.

Construction began on the ISS in 1998.

THE ASTRONOMY PICTURE OF THE DAY FOR 2010 February 24

STS-130 Astronaut Installs Panoramic Space Window

Credit: ISS Expedition 22 Crew, Shuttle Endeavour STS-130 Crew, NASA

Explanation: This space job was almost complete. Floating just below the International Space Station, astronaut Nicholas Patrick put

some finishing touches on the newly installed cupola space windows last week. Patrick was a mission specialist onboard the recently

completed Space Shuttle Endeavor's STS-130 mission to the ISS. Pictured, Patrick floats near the outermost of seven windows on the

new cupola of the just-installed Tranquility module. Patrick hovers about 340 kilometers over the Earth's surface, well in front of the blue sky,

blue water, and white clouds pictured far in the background. In the above image, covers on windows three and four were in place and clearly

labelled. Images from inside the ISS's new panoramic cupola are now available.

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SATELLITE TRACKER FOR SATELLITE FLYBYS FROM

SPACEWEATHER.COM

GO TO: http://spaceweather.com/flybys/

AND PLUG IN YOUR ZIP CODE.

THERE IS ALSO A LINK THERE FOR GLOBAL FLYBYS TOO

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ISS Height Profile from Heavens-above.com

This plot shows the orbital height of the ISS over the last year. Clearly visible are the re-boosts which suddenly increase the

height, and the gradual decay in between. The height is averaged over one orbit, and the gradual decrease is caused by

atmospheric drag. As can be seen from the plot, the rate of descent is not constant and this variation is caused by changes

in the density of the tenuous outer atmosphere due mainly to solar activity.

The ISS is now at a mean altitude of about 347 km or 215.6 miles. NOTE that the boost to 349 km is missing in the graph above.