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International Space Station
by Suzanne Mooney |
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The International Space Station is the largest and most complex international scientific project in history. More than four times larger than the Russian Mir station, it occupies a mass measuring 356 feet across and 290 feet long.
Travelling at a speed of 17,500 km per hour (it takes just three minutes to cross Britain) the astronauts/cosmonauts on board the International Space Station talk to the Today programme about the problems of being in space and the fun they can have by just looking out from their windows.
The Space Station was a controversial project initiated by NASA, The Russian Space Agency, The European Space agency and the Japanese Space Agency. After the initial teething problems, the project has gathered momentum and the station now houses it's third crew.
The astronauts on board the ISS (which is commonly known as Alpha) include Frank Culbertson, Vladimir Dezhurov and Mikhail Tyurin. They will be very busy most of the time carrying out scientific experiments and space observations, but in their spare time they will be looking at Earth from one of the many windows, listening to music or watching video DVDs. They have personal objects including books and will be enjoying the general micro-gravity experience (which is a favourite pastime of many astronauts).
The scientific research includes - growing large crystals (they are much purer when grown in zero gravity conditions). The aim will be to then bring the crystals back to earth where they'll aid scientists in areas such as cancer research.
In addition they will be carrying out experiments on themselves. How humans react to micro-gravity, the loss of calcium in their bones (similar to osteoporesis in women). To prevent muscle and bone loss they will have to carry out extensive excercise every day - including using rowing machines.
They will be carrying out Earth observations. The crew commander, Frank Culbertson, tells us his concerns about the environment. In just six years he has noticed a great change to the Earth's climate and general conditions.
They will have approx 8 hours sleep and work for about 10 -12 hours. The speed the ISS orbits at is 17,500 miles per hour. (Concorde travels at 1,250 miles per hour) so CONCORDE is FOURTEEN TIMES SLOWER than the ISS. The astronauts orbit the Earth every 90 minutes, observing 16 sunsets every day.
If you want to watch the ISS travel over your area you can log onto
which tells you the time and date you are most likely to spot Frank Culbertson, Vladimir Dezhurov and Mikhail Tyurin orbiting overhead...
Read the transcript of the web chat with ISS astronaut Pedro Duque
LINKS
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The International Space Station |
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The three astronauts |
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The Russian Section |
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The airlock giving access to outer space, ready to be fitted |
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