ISS-Some facts about the Space Station

The International Space Station is a massive object floating in the sky. It provides a docking point for all the astronauts who venture into space and other missions. The sheer size of the International Space Station can amaze anyone. But the fact that humans were able to put up such a massive object in space is an even bigger achievement. In this article, we will look at some of the interesting facts related to the International Space Station.

1. The ISS is measured to be about 358 feet long which is almost close to the size of a full-length football field. Imagine an object the size of a football field flying over your head. Gives you goosebumps right!
2. For an object as large as the ISS, people tend to think that it might be moving slowly. The is answer is no. The ISS moves at a speed of 65 miles per hour and goes around the planet in a time of about 90 minutes.
3. The cost of the ISS is about $120 billion. This makes it the most expensive object ever built.
4. A natural question that arises in everyone’s mind is that what do astronauts do if they have to use the washroom. The ISS has two bathrooms built inside it. The urine of the astronauts is reused and filtered to form potable and drinkable water. This also solves the problem of astronauts’ supply of drinkable water.
5. The next question which comes up is that what is done to keep the supply of oxygen constantly flowing. The ISS uses the laboratory method of electrolysis to generate oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen molecules are split up from the original molecule of water by the passage of electricity through it. This keeps the supply of oxygen constantly flowing.
6. For the supply of food, spacecraft and cargo missions are regularly taken up with material being sent. Along with food other equipment is also sent in these missions.
7. The ISS is the third brightest object in the sky after the Moon And Venus. The ISS also has a massively large wire network which is about 8 miles in length.

Along with the ISS, many other countries also have their own Space stations. For example, the US has Skylab, Russia has Mir and China has its Tiangong. Many other countries have also planned to launch their own Space Stations.