Address: Space

Sixteen countries are involved in the building and manning of the space station. It’s not yet finished, though people have lived and worked there continuously since 25th June 2000. When completed, it will consist of more than a hundred modules and will contain six laboratories. Today, its living area is 168 square metres, and when the station is finished, its interior will be as spacious as that of a Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet, to accommodate a crew of up to seven persons.

With time, the space station can be our best springboard for travel deeper into space. It also is the best place to learn more about how people cope with prolonged stays in space. The space station is a unique technological marvel. What’s more, it is the result of peaceful co-operation between countries that formerly were bitter enemies.

The USA and Russia have worked together on the production and launching of each module for the space station, with assistance from Japan, Canada and several European countries, including Norway. The European Space Agency (ESA) plays a vital role in the building of the space station, such as by building the Columbus laboratory module.

Hitherto, only American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts have lived at the space station for longer periods. However, European astronauts have briefly visited the station, and soon space travellers from many countries will both visit and live at the unique space station, and with time travel further into space.