7 interesting facts about the International Space Station

About 50 years ago, when the whole world rejoiced over man landing on the moon, the future of space exploration seemed brilliant. Few people doubt that very soon will begin a planned settlement of Sputnik followed by the spread of this process to the next planet. But in fact it was not so easy. Although humanity has failed to make a quick breakthrough in space, yet something in the past decade we have achieved. And to see this, just look at the international space station, which is circling above our heads.

The most expensive object in the history of mankind

In 2010, it was estimated that the construction and operation of the International Space Station has been spent over 150 billion dollars. This is the most expensive project in the history of mankind. It is worth noting that financial costs are distributed between several countries involved in the use of the ISS. This is Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, USA, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Space

The structure of the ISS consists of 14 main modules: the Russian "Zarya", "Star", "Pier", "search", "Sunrise"; American "Unity", "Destiny", "Network", "Tranquility", "Dome", "Leonardo", "Harmony", the European "Columbus" and the Japanese "Kibo". There are also three additional modules for transporting cargo into orbit and back to Earth. They are made by the Italian Space Agency and have the names of the "Leonardo", "Rafael" and "Donatello". At NASA listedThey are named after the talented Italian Renaissance masters, but official emblem modules clearly indicates that he meant all the same well-known bug.

The largest space module belongs to Japan

Despite the passion for miniaturization, the Japanese laboratory module is the largest in the ISS. It consists of three compartments and is designed to carry out various scientific experiments. As part of the Japanese research program in April 2009, Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata (Koichi Wakata) conducted a series of experiments, which were selected from among the offered ordinary citizens. He was trying to "swim" in zero gravity, using a variety of styles, including butterfly crawl and, engage in juggling and football. Finally astronaut tried to be wrung from the floor and do some acrobatics. In the video below you can see how Japanese astronaut is trying to fly on a carpet-plane in conditions of weightlessness. Incidentally, the price of the stay of the researcher at the ISS is 5.5 million yen (55,000 dollars) per hour.

watching

MCS is the third object of the night sky brightness after the Moon and Venus. It is not difficult to observe from Earth with the naked eye as a bright star moving rapidly across the sky from west to east. Location and time span station can be accessed via Heavens-Above site. First, you must go here and specify its location, and then this page timetable will be the space station in the next days. In addition, you can use special recipe IFTTT service: you will announce the appearance of the ISS over the head any way you want.

protection station

The near space accumulated a large amount of garbage, which is for a real threat to the ISS. Clash even with a small size object can damage the skin and even destroy the station. Therefore, the Earth is carried out constant remote monitoring of the movement of debris. If the trajectory of ISS obstacle appears, the station crew receives an emergency alert that allows you to turn on thrusters and avoid a collision. If a threatening object is discovered too late, the astronauts should be evacuated from the station. Partial evacuation took place on the ISS for four times.

Webcam

ISS housing a web camera, which transmits real-time picture of the landscape. Admire the views of the stars, the Earth and the space station can be on this address.

Curious to the ISS

Do not think that only the inhabitants of the Japanese ISS allow themselves funny eccentricities. For example, once at the station held a wedding correspondence: cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko married Ekaterina Dmitrieva, which at the moment is on the ground. From a legal point of view, to have been no claims procedure as under the laws of the State of Texas, where the bride lives, may be the absence at the wedding of one of the spouses.

No less attention was drawn to the first space party game of golf, during which a special alloy ball scandium, equipped with a device tracking the coordinates have been well-aimed blow sent the club into Earth orbit. The event took place within the framework of promotion of Canadian manufacturer of sports equipment.

And some interesting facts about the International Space Station are known to you?