International Space Station Marks 25 Years of Continuous Human Presence in Orbit

International Space Station Marks 25 Years of Continuous Human Presence in Orbit

The International Space Station (ISS) celebrates 25 years of uninterrupted human presence in space, standing as the largest scientific laboratory beyond Earth and a symbol of international cooperation.

A Quarter Century in Space

On November 2, 2000, Expedition 1 — composed of NASA astronaut William Shepherd and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko — opened the hatch of the ISS, beginning an unprecedented era: 25 years of continuous human presence in orbit. Since then, more than 290 astronauts from 26 countries have lived and worked aboard the station, including 170 Americans.

Science and Technology for Earth and Space

In 2005, the U.S. Congress designated the ISS as a National Laboratory, enabling private and academic research in microgravity.

In 2011, management of the laboratory was entrusted to CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space), fostering projects in biomedicine, advanced materials, and agriculture.

Key experiments have advanced regenerative medicine, 3D printing in microgravity, and studies of cellular aging, with direct applications to human health.

International Cooperation

The ISS is the result of a partnership among NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency, making it the largest international scientific collaboration in history. Assembled in orbit like a “giant Lego set,” it is the largest human-made object in space, traveling at 17,100 mph (27,600 km/h) and completing an orbit every 90 minutes.

Looking Ahead

Currently, seven astronauts reside aboard the station, including three from NASA. Yet the timeline is clear: the ISS is scheduled for retirement and deorbit around 2030, with plans to transition toward commercial space stations that will continue research in low-Earth orbit.

Legacy and Memories

At NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, employees and astronauts are commemorating this milestone by sharing memories of historic missions and scientific achievements that have transformed space exploration. The ISS has been not only a laboratory but also a home for humanity in space, proving that international cooperation can transcend Earthly borders.

Sources press office official:/The International Space Station (ISS)

 / United States/

Photos stock social networks / Press/

The International Space Station (ISS)

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