International Space Station - the result of joint work of specialists of a number of areas of the sixteen countries (Russia, USA, Canada, Japan, the states included in the European Community).The grandiose project, which in 2013 celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of its beginning implementation, embodies all the achievements of technical thought of the present.Impressive part of the material on the near and outer space, and some terrestrial phenomena and processes enables scientists is the International Space Station.ISS, however, was not built in one day, it was preceded by the creation of nearly thirty-year history of space exploration.
How it all began
forerunners of the ISS were orbiting station.The undeniable superiority in their creation occupied Soviet technicians and engineers.Work on the project "Diamond" began in late 1964.The researchers worked on a manned space station, which could be 2-3 astronaut.It was assumed that the "Almaz" will last for two years and during that time will be used for research.Under the project, the main part of the complex has been OPS - manned orbital station.It housed the work areas of the crew, as well as household compartment.OPS has been equipped with two hatches for spacewalks and reset to Earth special capsules with information, as well as the passive node connections.
efficiency of the plant is largely determined by its energy reserves.Developers "Diamond" found a way to multiply them.Delivery of various cargo and astronauts to the station engaged in transport ships Supply (TCS).They are, inter alia, have been equipped with an active docking system, a powerful energy source, the magnificent system of traffic control.TCS was able over time to supply the power station, as well as manage the entire complex.All subsequent similar projects, including the International Space Station, created using the same method of saving resources OPS.
first
rivalry with the United States forced the Soviet scientists and engineers to work as quickly as possible, so as soon as possible was to create another space station - "Salute".She was taken into space in April 1971.The basis of the plant is the so-called working compartment comprising two cylinders, small and large.Inside the smaller diameter located control station, beds and relaxation areas, storage, and eating.The larger cylinder - a repository of scientific equipment, exercise equipment, without which it can not do any such flight, and there was located a shower and isolated from the rest of the room toilet.
Each successive "Salute" something different from the previous one: equipped with the latest equipment, had design features which corresponded to the development of technology and knowledge at the time.These orbital station marked the beginning of a new era of research space and terrestrial processes."Salute" were the basis on which were conducted in a large number of studies in the field of medicine, physics, industry and agriculture.It is hard to overestimate the experience of using the space station, which has been successfully used in the operation of the next manned.
«World»
One long was the process of accumulation of experience and knowledge, which resulted in the International Space Station."The World" - a modular piloted complex - his next step.It was tested the so-called principle of creating block station when for some time the main part of it is stepping up its technical and research capacity due to the merging of new modules.His later "borrow" the International Space Station."Peace" has become a model for technical and engineering excellence of our country and actually provided her a leading role in the creation of the ISS.
Work on the construction of the station began in 1979, and she was taken into orbit on Feb. 20, 1986 st.During the lifetime of the "World" on it conducted various studies.The necessary equipment was delivered as part of the additional modules.The station "Mir" has allowed scientists, engineers and researchers to acquire invaluable experience on the use of a spacecraft of this magnitude.In addition, it became a place of peaceful international cooperation: in 1992 between Russia and the US signed an agreement on cooperation in space.To realize it actually began in 1995 when the station "Mir" went to the American "Space Shuttle".
Completion flight
station "Mir" has become a place for the different studies.There were analyzed, refined and open data in the field of biology and astrophysics, space technology and medicine, geophysics and biotechnology.
station stops its existence in 2001.The reason for the decision to flood it was the development of energy resources, as well as some accident.We put forward a different version of the object of salvation, but they have not been adopted, and in March 2001 the station "Mir" was sunk in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
the International Space Station: a preparatory stage
idea of creating ISS has arisen at a time when thoughts flood the "Mir" yet no one had not occurred.The indirect cause of the station has become a political and financial crisis in our country and the economic problems in the United States.Both countries have realized their inability to cope with the challenge of building the space station.In the early nineties it was signed a cooperation agreement, one of the points which is the international space station.ISS as the project brought together not only Russia and the United States, but also, as already mentioned, fourteen countries.Along with the definition of the participants took place project approval ISS station will consist of two integrated units, the US and Russia, and staffed orbiting modular manner similar to the "world."
«Dawn»
First International Space Station began its existence in orbit in 1998.November 20 with the help of a rocket "Proton" was launched Functional Cargo Block Russian-made "Dawn."He was the first segment of the ISS.Structurally, it was similar to some of the modules of the station "Mir".Interestingly, the American side proposed to build directly on the ISS orbit and only experience of Russian colleagues and an example of "the world" to win them to the side of the modular method.
Inside "Dawn" is equipped with various devices and equipment, life support systems, docking, supply management.The impressive part of the equipment, including fuel tanks, radiators, cameras and solar panels, located on the outside of the module.All exterior components are protected from meteorites special screens.
module by module
December 5, 1998 to the "Dawn" went shuttle "Endeavour" with the US docking module "Unity".Two days later, "Unity" was docked to the "Dawn".Next International Space Station "acquired" service module "Zvezda", which is engaged in manufacturing in Russia."Star" was a streamlined base unit station "Mir".Joining the new module took place 26 July 2000.Since then, the "Star" took control of the ISS, as well as all life-support systems, made possible permanent residence team of astronauts on the station.
Daylight manned mode
first crew of the International Space Station was taken "Soyuz TM-31" November 2, 2000.It consists B. Shepherd - the commander of the expedition, Yu Gidzenko - pilot, S. Krikalev - Flight engineer.From that moment began a new phase of operation of the plant: it passed in manned mode.
composition of the second expedition Yuri Usachev, James Voss and Susan Helms.She changed her first crew at the beginning of March 2001.
study of space and terrestrial phenomena
International Space Station - located in a variety of scientific studies.The task of each crew is including the collection of data on certain cosmic processes, studying the properties of certain substances in conditions of weightlessness and so on.Scientific studies, which are conducted on the ISS can be represented in the form of a generalized list:
- monitoring of different remote objects of the cosmos;
- study dark matter, cosmic rays;
- Earth observation, including the study of atmospheric phenomena;
- study the physical features and biological processes under conditions of weightlessness;
- testing of new materials and technologies in open space;
- medical research, including the creation of new drugs, testing of diagnostic methods in conditions of weightlessness;
- production of semiconductor materials.
future
Like any other object to be such a heavy load, and so intensively exploited, ISS will sooner or later cease to function at the necessary level.Initially it was assumed that its "shelf life" completed in 2016, that is, the station was given only 15 years old.However, since the first months of its operation began to sound the assumption that the term of this somewhat understated.Today expressed the hope that the International Space Station will run until 2020.Then, perhaps, it will meet the same fate as the station "Mir": ISS flood waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Today, the International Space Station, which is represented in the photo paper, with success keeps circling in orbit around our planet.Periodically, the media can be found mention of the new research done by the on-board station.ISS is the only object of space tourism: only at the end of 2012 it visited eight astronauts enthusiasts.We can assume that this kind of entertainment will only gain momentum as the Earth from outer space - kind of fascinating.And no photograph can not be compared with the possibility to contemplate such beauty from the window of the International Space Station.
